How to Fix A Faucet With Low Water Pressure

Your kitchen faucet was a champ, but suddenly you realize the water pressure isn’t what it used to be. What can cause this and how can you fix it?

This is a problem I see pretty regularly, especially for clients who have kitchen faucets where the whole head is detachable, as in the photo below.

This Delta kitchen faucet has a detachable sprayer head - these types of faucets are particularly vulnerable to getting clogged with debris.

For one, Tucson’s water is very hard and can be rough on the delicate internal parts in modern faucets. Second, if you have had plumbing work done recently and the water was shut off to the house for a period of time, debris that had settled in your pipes may have been disturbed and made its way to your fixtures when the water was turned back on, clogging sensitive parts.

Here are the two main likely culprits for the low water pressure you are experiencing with your faucet:

Debris in the aerator. Every faucet comes equipped with a small part at the end of the faucet where the water comes out. This part is called an aerator. It is what determines the flow rate of the water, and gives the water a nice stream when you turn on the faucet.

The white honeycomb piece in the center is the aerator.

The aerator can easily get clogged with debris, so the first step to fixing your water pressure issue is to remove the aerator and inspect it. If you see visible debris once removed, it is usually worth replacing the aerator. If you are not sure how to remove your faucet’s aerator, see “Tips for removing an aerator” at the end of this article.

If you do not see visible debris, try turning on the faucet without the aerator and assess the water pressure. If the pressure looks good, try soaking the aerator overnight in a solution of vinegar and salt (pickle juice works perfectly for this), or replace it.

Most aerators can be purchased for around $5, though those with special finishes or spray modes can cost as much as $60 to replace. If that still does not solve your issue, or the water pressure without the faucet head is still low, read on.

Debris in the check valve(s). If your kitchen faucet has a detachable sprayer head, it likely has a check valve (or two) located either where the head attaches to hose, or where the hose attaches to the rest of the faucet under the sink. Check both ends of the hose for a small plastic piece.

Here is an example of a check valve that is placed right where the sprayer head connects to the faucet hose. There may also be a similar looking check valve where the hose connects to the rest of the faucet under the sink.

The purpose of a check valve is to prevent water from coming back up through the faucet and into your water lines. The only way this would happen is if you left the whole sprayer head submerged under water; for example, in a pot you are soaking. For most people that is not an issue, so if you find that the check valve is the problem, it may be worth simply removing it. Use a pair of needle nose pliers if required.

Tips for removing an aerator:

Some aerators are held in by a trim piece, and others are screwed into the faucet or faucet head directly. Either way, some part must be unscrewed, and the threads can sometimes be difficult to loosen, especially if the faucet has not be serviced in a long time.

• If you have a standard faucet, as pictured below, grip the aerator or trim piece with either a rubber strap wrench, or slip joint pliers (Channel Locks) and a rag or rubber pad to avoid marring the metal surface. From the perspective of looking into the faucet pipe (as if you would get water right into your eye if the faucet were on) turn counter-clockwise.

For this standard faucet, use Channel Locks or a rubber strap wrench to unscrew the aerator/trim piece.

• Other aerators screw in, but require a notched key that fits around the circumference of the aerator. This is usually the case if you have a detachable faucet head. First, check if there is a slot in the middle of the aerator to use a flathead screwdriver; some models include this feature for ease. If not, you will need the proper key. Check the original faucet box if you have it, as the key may have been included. Otherwise, you can either locate the key in stores or online, or take the whole head to a local plumbing shop that would have the key (we recommend Bonnets, Stems & Accessories in Tucson). The head should easily unscrew from the hose. Note that each manufacturer makes different keys, so make sure to find out which one you need before ordering one.

Some styles require a key to unscrew the aerator. Unfortunately, these keys are not standardized across manufacturers.

The slot in this aerator is designed to allow use of a flat head screwdriver for installation and removal. A very helpful feature!

Wrapping Up

Issues with these two parts, the aerator and the check valve(s), are the most common causes for your faucet’s low water pressure.

If you are in Tucson, I strongly encourage you to head to Bonnets, Stems & Accessories for these type of small plumbing parts and associated issues. We are not affiliated with their business, just appreciative of what they offer to the community. They keep most standard aerators and keys in stock, and will happily take a look at any parts you bring in. Sometimes they can even replace or clean the parts for you themselves - with pickle juice!

The easiest way to prevent this issue in the future is to remove all aerators prior to shutting off the water supply in your house. Ask your contractor or plumber to do this if you are not comfortable doing so yourself.

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We hope this article was helpful. If you have gone through these steps and are still having issues with your faucet, or you would rather not do this yourself, it may be worth hiring a professional. Click the link below to get in touch with us.

Why Do Contractor Quotes Vary So Much? How to Pick a Contractor.

See our last post for an in-depth explanation of the various components that go into a contractor’s quote. These include the direct costs to complete each job (cost of goods sold), the contractor’s overhead, and the company’s profit.

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In our last article, we ended with the question: if every contractor has so many hidden costs to consider when quoting a job, why isn’t EVERY contractor expensive? Perhaps a better question is: why are contractor quotes so varied?

We have all experienced some version of “you get what you pay for,” but is that really all that’s going on here? You might be thinking, I know a guy who does good work and is way cheaper. Let’s take a look at this.

Simply put, there are three reasons you might receive wildly varied quotes for the same project:

1. The quotes are not apples to apples. The contractors you are considering have proposed different solutions to your project, will use different materials, or otherwise are not including the same scope of work in their estimates. Significant variability in quality of workmanship is an example of comparing apples to oranges. So is comparing a contractor who is licensed and carries insurance to one who is not. The purpose of a contractor’s license is to provide you, the client, with legal and financial recourse should things go south.

2. Many contractors do not factor in all of their costs of doing business. As we explored in the last article, there are many hidden costs to running a contracting business; if these are not factored in the contractor is slowly running themselves out of business. Really, Mira? Yes. Now, I will admit, many contractors stick around for years while under-pricing their work. But other parts of the experience you receive as a client may suffer. Is that contractor always responsive when you need them to be? Do they stand behind their work when problems arise? Do they honor their appointments with you? Do they seem to be habitually in a rush, running out the door leaving loose ends or a mess behind? These are important aspects of the experience you are paying for that will likely suffer when your contractor does not account for all of their costs of doing business, and has to chase new jobs to stay afloat.

3. Every contractor has different costs of doing business. Some contractors are truly a one-person operation and intend to stay that way. They have a much lower overhead cost overall, but they also cannot get as much done, so their overhead per labor-hour will be what it will be. Some contractors rent a large shop, have shiny wrapped trucks, and a showroom. Obviously, their overhead is much higher, but it is spread over many jobs and employees, so per labor-hour it will be what it will be. Businesses have different goals, and that will be reflected in their pricing.

Accurate estimates are in everyone’s best interest; the contractor wants the work at a price that they will be profitable, but also that the client will accept. I would like to make a note that there is a common notion that in order to be a savvy shopper you should get a certain number of quotes when considering a remodel or construction project. I do not think that is necessarily true, and will leave it at that for now. Perhaps I can address this in a future article.

So, if you do have several quotes in front of you, how do you decide who to hire?

1. Ask yourself if you trust each contractor to do the work to the standard of quality you require. If they cannot meet this first requirement, you should not hire them.

2. Think about what is most important to you, and what you want to avoid. Once you clarify that, consider who you would trust to best handle those items of concern and importance.

   For example, if you have a very busy schedule, wasting time on missed appointments with your contractor may be a major headache for you, whereas that may not be as big a deal for someone who works from home. If a contractor does not get back to you for weeks, or only after multiple follow up calls, they may not be the best fit for you.

   If you plan to live in your house for the next fifteen years, you may be more concerned about an excellent warranty than someone who is planning to move next year.

3. Determine if the contractor can deliver your project within your budget. While you may not want to share your exact budget with a potential contractor until you know more about them, it is still important to understand what you can afford. Though not every contractor will necessarily be within your budget, a good contractor will be forthcoming about roughly what it will cost to hire them to do your project, and may be able to provide suggestions for possible scope reductions to help achieve your vision within your desired budget.

Hiring anyone to do work in your home can be stressful, and rightly so. It is a peculiarly intimate relationship - most people, possibly even your friends, do not see your home in its every state of chaos, mess, and disrepair. Ultimately, you must find a contractor whom you trust to respect your home and deliver the work you need with attentiveness to the qualities you value.

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This article is an expansion on a video we did on this topic called “Why Do Contractor Quotes Vary So Much?” You can view the video on our Instagram here or Facebook here.

What goes into a contractor's quote? Inside the mind of a contractor.

You’ve finally found a contractor you want to work with; you get a good feeling from them, their portfolio is impressive, and they have great reviews. Perhaps they even come recommended by someone you know and trust. All of these factors lead you to believe they will not be the cheapest quote. Then you receive the quote and you have slight (or not-so-slight) sticker shock. You wonder, I knew it was going to be expensive, but I didn’t think it would be THAT expensive. Should I seek other bids? But I really liked this company…

If you’ve ever thought this to yourself and are unsure what to do, read on. Or maybe this isn’t your first rodeo and you’re just curious how your favorite contractors come up with their pricing.

Someone in my life, who has had multiple home renovations done on her house, recently asked me if I could shed light on some of the “hidden” costs that go into a contractor’s quote. As I thought about this question, I’ve realized I have a lot to say. I’m going to explore this over several blog posts. To start with, let’s just look at the components that must be covered in every quote:

• Cost of goods sold: this is what it costs the contractor to do your project.

• Overhead: these are the bills the contractor must pay whether or not they have projects scheduled.

• Profit: this is what the business makes, which enables growth and allows the contractor to weather the seasons of business and the economy. This is not what the owner makes themselves.*

*See Owner’s salary, under Overhead below.

It is worth emphasizing that if these costs are not covered, the contractor is slowly running themselves out of business. Without getting too into the weeds, I have put together a list of what makes up these categories. This is not meant to be an exhaustive list, but simply to elucidate some of the factors that go into the price you have received for your project.

Cost of goods sold:

• Materials and supplies for your project specifically: these are the materials and supplies you will see on-site, and also anything used to prep or clean up the job-site.

• Labor time on your project specifically:

  • Pre-job prep: this includes the behind-the-scenes tasks you probably don’t see - specific job research, ordering materials, loading up the truck(s), picking up materials, securing those materials so they don’t fly away while driving, etc.

  • On-the-job time: this is what you see when the contractor is at your house. It also includes any additional parts runs that are required, problem-solving that may lead to additional time required (depending on how your contract handles these situations), etc.

  • Post-job tasks: cleaning out paint brushes and rollers, returning unused parts at the end of the job if needed, and more.

• Hidden:

  • Additional labor burden: payroll tax, worker’s compensation insurance, benefits, paid vacation time for employees, etc. This adds about 40% on top what an employee is paid per hour!

  • Consumables: personal protective equipment (PPE - we all know what that is, as of 2020!), site preparation materials, blades and bits, nails and screws and anchors, sealants and adhesives, cleaning supplies, etc. Your contractor is likely not going to count every screw needed for your project specifically, but keeps a stock of these items for use on any job.

  • Tools: specialty tools for your job could be purchased or rented, maintenance and replacement of small and large tools as they wear out or break.

  • Other expenses: disposal/dump fees, shipping costs for materials, permits, subcontractors.

Overhead:

• Advertising and marketing: this includes any uniforms the contractor and their employees may wear, business cards, website hosting fees, paid online advertisements, paid print advertising including direct mail, truck wraps and lettering, holiday cards sent to clients, sponsored events, and more.

• Auto expenses: gas, parking fees, auto registration, routine vehicle maintenance, and repairs.

• Business licenses: in Tucson, every business pays a fee to the city annually simply to be in business. Contractors also pay for their contractor’s license, or multiple licenses, and the associated bond fees.

• Financial fees: bank fees, interest on loans or credit cards, fees charged for taking payment via credit card.

• Insurance: general liability insurance, auto insurance, insurance for tools, and more.

• Meals & Travel: applies to business-related meetings with clients or other business-owners, meals and travel for professional networking events.

• Membership dues & subscriptions: industry publications.

• Office expenses: standard office supplies and equipment such as a computer, tablets, printer, printing paper and ink, as well as software such as QuickBooks, estimating software, CRM (customer relationship management) software, project management software, time tracking software; a contractor may pay for one or more software programs that combine these functions.

• *Owner’s salary: every contracting business has an owner, and many owners aspire to grow their business beyond themselves, with at least a small crew. Because the owner must get paid regardless of if the company performed a specific job or not, their salary is considered overhead. In construction and home services, most field employees are paid hourly, so their compensation is under Cost of goods sold, above.

• Professional development: courses to keep up with latest building methods and codes, licensing exam preparation, business courses, professional networking events.

• Professional fees: bookkeeping services, tax accounting services, legal services.

• Taxes

• Mortgage/Rent & Utilities: storage unit rent, shop rent, business phone/phone number expenses, building utilities, and more.

Hopefully this list is informative and not too overwhelming! However, before we move on from the hidden costs, we must also remember the “hidden time” that is required to run the business.

Someone (or multiple people) also has to spend time on all of these tasks:

• Sales: communicating with prospective clients, writing estimates, site visits (a significant cost if the company provides free on-site estimates), writing contracts.

• Accounting & Paperwork: inputting/scanning receipts, recording sales, keeping on top of tax deductions and payments, paying bills, time-sheets, job-costing, scheduling, and more.

• Marketing: posting to social media, keeping up with past clients, updating the website (including writing blog posts like this one!), and more.

• Organization: keeping the truck(s) and shop organized, maintaining inventory, maintaining tools, purchasing consumables, etc.

• Warranty work: no contractor is perfect, and sometimes issues come up that need to be addressed. A quality contractor will address these issues, and that time (and sometimes additional cost of goods) will be an additional cost to the contractor.

The above tasks may be handled by the owner, salaried employees (office manager, sales associate, etc.), contracted out (Professional Services, mentioned earlier), or a combination of these.

Profit:

The dreaded word. Profit has a bad reputation for some. But profit is necessary for any healthy business. Just as it is prudent for an individual or household to have money in the bank, so it is for a contracting business. Unexpected expenses can come up, or a turn in the recession could derail the contractor’s business plan for the year. And beyond saving up for a rainy day, your contractor likely has goals for the business that require capital. A trailer may enable more efficient work on-site, a new piece of equipment could open up opportunities to take on more complex projects that would not be possible otherwise, holiday bonuses to employees make for a desirable workplace. Profit can help accomplish these goals, solidifying a healthy, reliable business that can deliver a wonderful experience for you, as the client.

If you’re still with me, I suspect there are at least a few items above that you had not thought of. Or, at the very least, weren’t at the forefront of your mind when you first looked at the quote in front of you. You may be wondering, Okay, Mira, I get it. Running a business costs money. I want someone good, but why isn’t EVERY contractor expensive then? I know a guy who does good work and is way cheaper. It’s a fair question. We’ll dig into this more next week.

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