Remodel Answers · Plumbing · Faucets, Toilets & Fixtures
Why is water pressure low at only one faucet?
Short answer
Low pressure at one fixture is almost always the aerator or the fixture cartridge — not a house-wide issue. Unscrew the aerator (the little screen at the tip of the spout), rinse it, and try again. If it's a shower, the head itself may be limed up. Pressure issues affecting the whole house are different and need a PRV check.
Aerators first, always
Sediment and mineral buildup from PNW water hits aerators before anything else. Unscrew, tap it out, rinse under running water, or soak in vinegar for 20 minutes. This fix solves ~70% of one-fixture pressure complaints.
Shower heads
Same rule: unscrew, soak in vinegar (a plastic bag rubber-banded around it works), rescrew. If it still dribbles, replace — a decent shower head is $30–$80.
When it's actually the cartridge
If the aerator is clean and the fixture is 15+ years old, the internal cartridge is worn or clogged with debris from a past water shutoff. Cartridge replacement is a remodel task; parts are $25–$60 depending on brand.
What we see on Free Onsite Consultations
Based on real experience across the greater PNW, plumbing issues like this are among the ones homeowners most often miss until they become expensive. Our Free Onsite Consultation catches them early — while they're still a maintenance item, not a repair.
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How do I stop a toilet that keeps running?
A toilet that keeps refilling every few minutes has a leaky flapper 90% of the time. Drop food coloring in the tank, wait 15 minutes, and check the bowl — if the color shows up in the bowl without flushing, replace the flapper. It's a $8 part and a 10-minute fix.
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How do I find a hidden water leak in my house?
Turn off every fixture and appliance, then watch the small red "leak indicator" dial on your water meter for 10–15 minutes. If it moves, you have flow somewhere with everything off — that's a leak. Isolate by shutting off the main to the house and the water heater; the meter tells you if it's on the incoming side or inside.