How to Get More Pressure From Low Volume Faucets
Today, faucets have low-pressure adapters to reduce the overall water output from the faucet. This saves water and conserves resources. However, in some homes with lower water pressure these faucets cause a drastic reduction in faucet output that makes hand washing and showering difficult. There are a few ways to increase the water pressure in these low-flow faucets without changing the entire faucet. This takes some skill and about a half hour of your time. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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1
Unscrew the aerator on the end of the faucet spout and rinse it in clean water. Remove all debris inside the aerator screen, as this reduces water flow. Reattach the aerator and tighten it by hand. If this is a low-flow aerator, replace it with another non-low flow aerator. A low-flow aerator reduces water pressure by as much as 2 gallons per minute. Therefore, replacing this aerator with a non-low flow aerator increases pressure.
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2
Shut off the water supply to your faucet by closing the water valves under your sink. Remove the faucet handle. Take out the set screw with an Allen wrench, and slide the handle off the base of the faucet. Unscrew the trim sleeve and bonnet on top of the faucet with pliers, or remove the faucet's cartridge clip, if the faucet has a clip. Slide the cartridge out of the faucet.
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3
Replace the cartridge with a new, non-low flow cartridge, or a new cartridge for your faucet. Or clean the cartridge to remove debris, sediment and dirt and re-install the cartridge. Replace the cartridge clip, or bonnet and trim sleeve and install the handle again. Test the faucet by turning on the water and operating the handle. If this does not fix the problem, go on to the next step.
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4
Turn off the water supply lines again. Unscrew the supply hoses from the faucet and water pipes. Clean out the supply hoses to flush out debris and clogs. Replace the hoses and turn on the water to test the faucet.
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