How to Repair Water Pressure in Your Kitchen Faucet

If your faucet has low flow, repair it by replacing the cartridge.

If your faucet has low flow but used to put out more water for cleaning and cooking, there is a way to fix it. Repairing low flow in your kitchen faucet is merely a matter of cleaning or replacing the cartridge, which is the part that controls the water flow. This part is in the handle, so the faucet must be taken apart to get to it. The fix requires some knowledge of home repair basics, but it only takes about a half hour to complete.

Things You'll Need

• Allen wrench
• Large pliers
• Cartridge

Instructions

1. Turn off the water to the kitchen faucet by shutting the two valves underneath the sink.

2. Take the faucet handle off by taking out the screw near the bottom of the handle with an Allen wrench. Slide the handle off carefully.

3. Unscrew the dome cap or cartridge cover which fits around the cartridge by turning it counterclockwise. Use a pair of large pliers to remove these parts. Some kitchen faucets only have a dome cap, others may have both.

4. Unscrew the retaining nut with pliers, or unscrew the cartridge screws with a screwdriver, depending on which part the faucet employs to secure the cartridge.

5. Take the cartridge out, thoroughly clean it with water and replace it. Or, replace it with a new cartridge. Reassemble the faucet by replacing the parts you removed, just in reverse order.

6. Unscrew the cap on the end of the spout, wash or replace it with a new one. If you have a spray head faucet, remove the front of the screen and wash this part in water to remove sediment. Replace the screen and use the faucet.

References

• Grohe: Ladylux Plus Kitchen Faucet Owner's Manual

Resources

• Hardware store: How to Repair Faucets