A faucet with pressure problems is a big nuisance. If the flow has little pressure, the times for obtaining the necessary amount of water expand. On the contrary, a violent flow is a source of waste, money and water. Luckily, you can learn how to regulate your home faucet pressure even if you're not a professional plumber.
Steps
Step 1. Diagnose the problem
Is the pressure too much or too little? If it is too low, the aerator may be clogged. The jet breaker is that component connected to the end of the tap from which the water comes out, reduces the flow by combining it with air. If the pressure is too high, the aerator may not even be present.
Step 2. Check the shutoff valves
All sinks have two supply valves: one for hot water and one for cold. You can find them under the sink and they are usually closed for repairs without flooding the house. Make sure the valves are open, otherwise the pressure may be lower than normal.
However, be aware that these valves should not be used to regulate the flow of water by partially closing them, because they are built to work in two ways: fully open or fully closed. This is not a suitable tool for solving a pressure problem
Step 3. Remove the aerator
If the pressure is insufficient, this may be blocked. Its removal is not a complicated task but sometimes it is not easy.
- Try using a pair of pliers. Grab the jet breaker with pliers and twist it. Wrap it with a rag to prevent the pliers from sliding on the metal and in any case to prevent it from being scratched.
- If you can't move it with pliers, try soaking it with vinegar. Pour some into a plastic bag and fix the latter to the tap with the help of a rubber band. Wait a couple of hours: the vinegar eliminates the build-up of limescale and corrosion that block the jet breaker and prevent its removal.
- If the vinegar doesn't work, try spraying some WD-40 and then try again with the pliers. Open a window to disperse the oil vapors.
Step 4. After removing the aerator, leave it to soak in the vinegar
Inspect it: you will notice a series of tiny holes through which the water is forced to pass. If these are clogged with mineral deposits and sediments, you need to clean the aerator. Rinse it off and leave it in a dish filled with vinegar overnight.
Step 5. Screw it back into place
After cleaning with vinegar, try to reassemble it and check the flow of water. It should be uniform and continuous.
If the water has excessive pressure, check that the tap is equipped with a jet breaker. Without this device, the water flows out at a very high speed. To check, just look at the tip of the tap: if you see a dense metal mesh, the jet breaker is there
Step 6. Check the flow rate of your aerator
Most of them report, engraved, the quantity of water it is able to deliver expressed in liters per minute. In the United States, for example, the law requires that taps be equipped with a jet breaker that deliver 8.3 liters / min. If you want lower pressure, you can purchase a low-flow one at the hardware store. You just have to unscrew the existing one and screw the new one.
