Before I Call Plumber........

Updated on August 25, 2008
C.J. asks from Littleton, CO
16 answers

Does anyone have any idea why the water pressure in my kitchen sink has decreased all of the sudden? No other sink or shower has changed just the kitchen sink. Over the winter the hot water started to make this whisling sound, and now there is very low water pressure in the hot and cold side.

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S.P.

answers from Great Falls on

I had this happen once and for me it was simple. I had to clean the faucet top. It screws off and you clean out the little filter and put it back on.

I'm not very machanical minded, so this was simple for me. Other than that. I don't know. Good luck!!

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N.R.

answers from Denver on

sometimes sediment collects in the faucet & clogs the "mesh sieve" where the water comes out. You can unscrew that top piece to see if anything has collected & settled. I replaced a faucet because of this, per the plumbers advise, not knowing there was a cheaper alternative.

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K.J.

answers from Salt Lake City on

try cleaning out the little screen on the tap of the faucet. you should be able to unscrew it, and soak the screen in some cleaning fluid, scrub and rinse.

1 mom found this helpful
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A.P.

answers from Denver on

You might have a leak or cracked pipe or something clogging the pipes or something? If you or your husband can't check it yourselves, I would call a plumber. A plumber costs a lot of money --- but this problem could be costing you a lot of money, too. With a leak --- that lost water is costing you money. The leak may be damaging your house. The pipe might burst and that would be more expensive to fix later than sooner. Hopefully, it's a minor fix.

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S.I.

answers from Salt Lake City on

I did my own plumbing in my bathroom and I would say that you should look under the sink at the pipes and see if they are leaking or if they are broken. If you have already done that then try to see where the pipes go after they are in the wall. Follow the wall and look to see if you see water leaking anywhere. If you don't see anything there then go in your basement if you have one. Look everywhere for water leaking or broken. If you can't see anything leaking or broken then go outside. If you have any non reclaimed fresh water source it will decrease the pressure to places in your house sometimes if it is on. Check that. If none of these things work I have a really cheap plumber I use...email me back and I will find his name. I think it's DC Plumbing. I think that's what it's called? I'll find out for you. He's good and cheap.

S.

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J.O.

answers from Boise on

There are two things you can do first, the first thing you can do is take off the tip of your fauct, and see if the wire mesh inside is dirty, the next thing you can do is change the washers in your handles, both of these things can lead to loss of water pressure.

Good luck!

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B.D.

answers from Boise on

There is a filter in the end of the faucet. Take it off and clean it. It is right where the water comes out. It is probably full of sediment. It does the same thing on my washing machine. I have to clean the filter on the end of the hose. It is simple. May need a pair of pliers.

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T.G.

answers from Fort Collins on

If you are able to unscrew a cap(aireator) on the end of the faucet you may find it has sediment in/on it preventing it from having full flow

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G.S.

answers from Denver on

Hi Casey~

It may be one of 2 things: either the guts in your faucet need to be replaced (starting with the washer) or moved around (especially if it's the kind you can remove from the base to reach other things or 2...you have a leak in a pipe somewhere. Obviously, try the first 1st. Sometimes just taking it apart bit by bit and trying the water each time will tell you if it's the guts and which part of the guts. Good luck!

G.

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D.K.

answers from Denver on

Be safe and call a plumber. The only time I lose water pressure is if something else is running. Make sure your outside spigots are off and no other water sources are on inside or outside too. My hot water makes a funny sound at times in the shower until I get the balance of the cold water mixed in with it...call a plumber...

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L.B.

answers from Provo on

Casey,

Perhaps your faucet is on its way out. You might consider replacing it.

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T.C.

answers from Provo on

I don't know if you have one of the faucets that pull out to spray, but this happened to me and the hose running to the faucet wasn't kinked but it was twisted and it cut my water pressure way down. My husband was at work so I tried several things thruout the day but when I untangled the hose the water pressure returned.

Good luck.

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T.L.

answers from Denver on

Try unscrewing the piece at the tip of the spout, inside there is a mesh washer. This washer can sometimes have lime deposits (for lack of a better term) that plug up the holes in the mesh which in turn decreases the water flow.
Hope this helps!

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C.W.

answers from Grand Junction on

It could have to do with your faucet; if you live in an area with hard water you may have mineral deposits that are keeping your pressure from being good. It may also be your shut off valve under the sink for the same reason.

My advice is to shut the water off under the sink (have plenty of towels and a mop handy) and take the faucet apart to see if you have stuff gunking up the works. They sell rebuild kits at hardware stores, and if you go someplace like Ace or TrueValue, you can probably find someone that will have knowledge in the subject and give you guidence.

If all else fails, call the plumber.

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A.J.

answers from Salt Lake City on

Two things you either have a clog in the actual pipe that happens easily if you have older pipes. Or you have a clog in the actual facuet itself.
First unscrew the top of the faucet where the water goes out and rinse it out. Second, if it is a clog in the faucet depending how nice your faucet head is either replace the faucet head or call the plumber but make sure you call a plumber to do a "snake job" It cost $60 at the most. Beware that some plumbers may say you have to replace the entire line. This is usually not the case. In the yellow pages there is a drain guy it says 60 or less in the actual add. I used him he was excellent. Some times the clog can be in your faucet so if you have a cheap faucet just replace it. (Some people have a snake as a tool you might want to ask any of your neighbors)

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S.J.

answers from Denver on

Check at the tip of your faucet where the water comes out and see if it unscrews. It is possible the little filter in there is clogged. GL

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