Weak water flow has two very different causes, and the first question is which one you have: is it one faucet, or the whole house? The answer points to where the problem is.
One faucet weak, the rest fine
The problem is at or near that faucet. The usual suspects, from most to least likely:
- Clogged aerator or spray head. Sediment and scale collect in the screen at the tip of the spout.
- Clogged cartridge inlets or a partly failed cartridge.
- A shut-off valve under the sink that is partly closed or has failed internally.
- A kinked or narrowed supply line.
These are faucet repairs, and flow usually comes back once the part is cleaned or replaced.
Whole house weak
If every tap is weak, look at the water supply instead. In a Powhatan home on a private well, that means the pressure switch, the pressure tank, a clogged sediment filter, or the well pump itself. On public water it can be a pressure-reducing valve, a partly closed main or a problem in the service line. Old galvanized pipes narrowing with rust can also cause it, in older homes.
Well water, sediment and flow
Private wells in central Virginia often carry sediment, iron or hardness. A sediment filter that hasn't been changed is one of the most common causes of whole-house low pressure, and one of the easiest to check yourself: look at the filter housing near the pressure tank. If it's dark or clogged, that's a good place to start.
How it's diagnosed
The plumber checks flow at several fixtures, looks at the aerators, and checks the pressure at the tank or the main. That narrows it down quickly to the faucet, the supply side or the pipes in between.
If the weak flow is at the kitchen, see kitchen faucet repair. If it's the shower, see shower and tub faucet repair. If the faucet is old, faucet replacement can be the simpler fix.
Call for a quote on faucet repair to get your flow back.
How it works
- 1
One tap or all?
Flow compared across the house.
- 2
Check the faucet
Aerator, cartridge, valve and supply line inspected.
- 3
Check the supply
Pressure at the well tank or main, filters checked.
- 4
Fix and test
Cause repaired and flow re-checked.