Poor water pressure makes completing nearly any task with your kitchen faucet a drawn-out occasion. Rinsing dishes might not be as simple as holding them under the pressured water flow; it might take more scrubbing. Washing your hands might take longer with lower water pressure.
All in all, low water pressure is a nuisance. So, if your Kohler Sous faucet is giving you grief, here are a few tips for navigating the problem.
Troubleshooting Low Water Pressure In A Kohler Sous Faucet
Low water pressure is irritating at best, especially in a busy kitchen. Here are a few tips and tricks for navigating low water pressure in your Kohler Sous faucet.
Check The Spray Head
The first place to check is the spray head. In many cases, calcium and other minerals build up within the faucet’s aerator, restricting the flow and causing low water pressure. To check if this is the problem, remove the spray head and check the flow from the hose.
Simply grasp the disc at the top of the spray head (the part connecting the hose/spring to the spray head) and twist it firmly while holding the spray head in the other hand. The spray head should come off easily. Set the spray head aside and check the water flow through the hose.
If the water moves through fine, there’s a good chance the aerator is blocked. Since the aerator in spray heads is often tricky to remove, it’s usually easier to soak the entire spray head. Here’s what you need:
- Bowl
- White vinegar
- Warm water
- Old toothbrush
Combine a 50/50 mixture of white vinegar and warm water in a bowl large enough to hold the spray head. Toss the spray head in the mixture and let it sit for a few hours or overnight. The vinegar mixture should dissolve any mineral deposits within the spray head, potentially fixing the problem.
After a few hours (or overnight), remove the spray head from the vinegar mixture. Use an old toothbrush to clean visible deposit residue from the outside of the spray head. Rinse the entire spray head with warm water, then reattach it to the hose.
Check for good water pressure. If the pressure is still poor, continue through the following steps.
Flush The Supply Lines
If your faucet is brand new and has low water pressure, check the supply lines. Sometimes, debris or dirt can get stuck in the line, causing low water pressure. Your new faucet will have instructions on how to flush water supply lines. It’s a quick and easy process that should only take a few minutes.
Once you flush the supply lines, reattach them to the faucet and check for water pressure. If the problem is resolved, it is as simple as blocked supply lines. This can happen on one side, too – you might notice the problem seems more prominent when you turn on the hot or cold water.
Check The Inlet Screen
While you’re at it, check the inlet screen on the supply line. Look underneath the sink near where the line meets the sink deck. You should see a white plastic piece at the top of the hose. On the top of the plastic part, you’ll find two clips. Push the clips in, then pull the plastic piece down to disconnect it.
Next, disconnect the plastic piece from the hose by unscrewing it. Now, on the end of the plastic component (not the end with the clips), there’s a piece that comes off. It looks like one molded plastic part, but there’s a piece on the end that comes off.
To remove this, firmly grasp the end of the plastic piece and rotate it. It might take a bit of muscle to remove it, so give it just enough force to remove the piece without breaking the plastic part. Once you remove the little plastic part from the end, flip it over and look inside.
There might be mineral buildup in there, which might be the cause of poor water pressure. Use a needle or toothpick to remove the buildup. Once you’re done, reinstall the end on the plastic part, then connect the entire thing to the hose. Reassemble the hose underneath the sink, then check the water pressure.
Check The Mixed Supply Hose
The mixed supply hose could be the problem as well. Check for this problem by removing the spray hose from the mixed supply hose. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Bucket
- Towel
To start, position a bucket and a towel beneath the spray hose and mixed supply hose connection. Disconnect the pull-out spray hose from the mixed supply hose underneath the counter. This is the part where the pull-out hose snaps or threads with another hose or a copper line. Once you disconnect this hose, turn on the water and direct it into your bucket.
This will flush the line, removing any sediment or debris. Once you’re done, reconnect the two lines and check the water pressure.
Replace The Valve/Cartridge
In some cases, the problem lies within the faucet itself, as debris can build up in the valve or cartridge. When this happens, you might notice poor water pressure from your faucet. Replacing the cartridge might be your best bet if you’ve tried everything else.
It’s best to order the part from Kohler, as off-brand substitutes may void your warranty and might not work as well. So, check on Kohler’s website for the correct replacement parts. You’ll need your faucet number to view the correct part to purchase.
Kohler offers a solid product warranty, so checking on coverage with Kohler’s customer service doesn’t hurt. In some cases, the company might send you a replacement part for free.
Replace The Spray Head
Unfortunately, sometimes the only answer to this problem is to replace the spray head. Low water pressure seems to be a common issue with this faucet, and many individuals state they’ve had to replace the entire spray head to repair the problem.
It doesn’t hurt to contact Kohler regarding coverage on this type of problem, as they may offer a replacement part. Many individuals state the replacement spray head is quite pricey, so expect to pay around $50 to $100 for a new spray head if you choose to go this route.
Consult A Plumber
If all else fails, you might want to consult a professional plumber. They can help you isolate and determine the problem and offer advice on what to do. It could be an issue with the plumbing beneath the sink, or it might be a problem within the faucet itself. Alternatively, you could check with Kohler’s customer support for help navigating the issue.