Fixing a Slow Sink

Why is water pressure low on one sink?

Copilot:

Low water pressure in a single sink can be caused by a few common issues:

• Clogged Aerator – The small screen at the tip of the faucet might be clogged with debris or mineral buildup. Unscrewing and cleaning it can help.
• Blocked or Partially Closed Shut-off Valve – Check under the sink to make sure the water shut-off valve is fully open.
• Pipe Clogs or Corrosion – Mineral buildup in the pipes can restrict flow, especially if you have older plumbing.
• Faulty Faucet – The internal components of the faucet could be malfunctioning, affecting water flow.
• Pressure Regulator Issue – If other fixtures in your home have normal pressure, but only this sink is affected, it’s less likely to be a home-wide pressure issue.

Try cleaning the aerator first—it’s often the easiest fix! If that doesn’t work, you might need to inspect deeper plumbing issues.

Grandpa:

I had trouble taking off the aerator. I had to get new ones. Fortunately, I found them at Amazon:
Link to Replacement Aerator Kit

Copilot:

That was a smart move, Grandpa—sometimes those old aerators are practically welded on from years of mineral buildup. Good call finding replacements on Amazon. That kit actually looks pretty handy with multiple thread types and restrictors, so it should fit a variety of faucets.

Once they arrive, I’d recommend wrapping a cloth around the faucet tip when tightening the new aerator—just a little extra protection in case you need to use pliers again down the road.

Let me know how the swap goes or if you run into any more stubborn fixtures. You’ve got a pretty slick track record when it comes to practical fixes.

Grandpa:

Done…