Kitchen faucet comes on strong but then tapers off

Betty · 03-14-2011, 09:10 AM

We've had an issue with our kitchen faucet as long as we've lived here: When you turn on the water in the kitchen sink it comes on strong but almost immediately the water stream dwindles to maybe half as much - sometimes more.

This is a double handle single spout faucet and it happens with both hot and cold water. You can sometimes get it to work a little longer by not turning the handle all the way on.

Does this sound like something that can be repaired or do we need a new sink? What would you call that? I can look up how to videos to fix things but I'm not sure what to refer to that as. (I love how to videos online to learn how to fix things.)

Cynthia · 03-14-2011, 03:15 PM

Sounds like a pressure problem, you might have a leak or there may be one in the line, contact your local water authority and see what they have to say about it.

Betty · 03-14-2011, 05:01 PM

I should note that this is the only faucet in the house that does this. Does that make a difference?

Alex · 03-14-2011, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Betty

You can sometimes get it to work a little longer by not turning the handle all the way on.

My amateur diagnosis just from this part is that what you've got there is a boy faucet.

DreadPirateRoberts · 03-14-2011, 05:41 PM

Do you rent or own?

If you own, I'd take it apart.

If you are renting, I'd call the landlord.

Cadaverous Pallor · 03-14-2011, 07:48 PM

Disclaimer - I don't know anything about plumbing.

Definitely a pressure problem. Pressure builds up when it's off which is why you get a decent burst to start (and can mitigate it if you don't turn it all the way on). However, I don't see how the faucet itself can be to blame. Is the kitchen on the far side of the house, away from your other faucets? There must be some issue with water getting to this particular spot.

Moonliner · 03-14-2011, 08:03 PM

I think a pressure issue would manifest itself in more than just one faucet. A partial blockage could account for the effect, but since hot and cold, which travel through separate pipes, show the same effect it would seem to indicate an issue in the faucet itself.

katiesue · 03-14-2011, 09:46 PM

I had the same sort of issue. Replaced the whole faucet and fine. At my office we get a huge deposit build up as we are on well water. Try to unscrew the - well you know strainer type thing (5 years in hardware and this is how I describe it). We do that at work and it takes out all the sediment and it works better - for a while.

Kevy Baby · 03-14-2011, 09:53 PM

I say tear down the house and rebuild

Cadaverous Pallor · 03-14-2011, 10:46 PM

I told you I knew nothing about plumbing.

03-14-2011, 09:10 AM	#1
Betty Kicking up my heels! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: The Silver State Posts: 3,783	Kitchen faucet comes on strong but then tapers off We've had an issue with our kitchen faucet as long as we've lived here: When you turn on the water in the kitchen sink it comes on strong but almost immediately the water stream dwindles to maybe half as much - sometimes more. This is a double handle single spout faucet and it happens with both hot and cold water. You can sometimes get it to work a little longer by not turning the handle all the way on. Does this sound like something that can be repaired or do we need a new sink? What would you call that? I can look up how to videos to fix things but I'm not sure what to refer to that as. (I love how to videos online to learn how to fix things.) __________________ Nee Stell Thue
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03-14-2011, 03:15 PM	#2
Cynthia Thank you, that is all Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: just north of the magic Posts: 187	Sounds like a pressure problem, you might have a leak or there may be one in the line, contact your local water authority and see what they have to say about it.
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03-14-2011, 05:01 PM	#3
Betty Kicking up my heels! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: The Silver State Posts: 3,783	I should note that this is the only faucet in the house that does this. Does that make a difference? __________________ Nee Stell Thue
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03-14-2011, 05:41 PM	#5
DreadPirateRoberts Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 2,483	Do you rent or own? If you own, I'd take it apart. If you are renting, I'd call the landlord.
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03-14-2011, 07:48 PM	#6
Cadaverous Pallor ohhhh baby Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Parental Bliss Posts: 12,364	Disclaimer - I don't know anything about plumbing. Definitely a pressure problem. Pressure builds up when it's off which is why you get a decent burst to start (and can mitigate it if you don't turn it all the way on). However, I don't see how the faucet itself can be to blame. Is the kitchen on the far side of the house, away from your other faucets? There must be some issue with water getting to this particular spot. __________________ The second star to the right shines in the night for you
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03-14-2011, 08:03 PM	#7
Moonliner 8/30/14 - Disneyland -10k or Bust. Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 9,022	I think a pressure issue would manifest itself in more than just one faucet. A partial blockage could account for the effect, but since hot and cold, which travel through separate pipes, show the same effect it would seem to indicate an issue in the faucet itself. __________________ - Taking it one step at a time.
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03-14-2011, 09:46 PM	#8
katiesue Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: San Diego Posts: 4,678	I had the same sort of issue. Replaced the whole faucet and fine. At my office we get a huge deposit build up as we are on well water. Try to unscrew the - well you know strainer type thing (5 years in hardware and this is how I describe it). We do that at work and it takes out all the sediment and it works better - for a while. __________________ My life is so exciting I can hardly stand it.
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03-14-2011, 09:53 PM	#9
Kevy Baby Chowder Head Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Yes Posts: 18,500	I say tear down the house and rebuild __________________ The thing about quotes on the internet is that you cannot verify their validity. - Abraham Lincoln
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03-14-2011, 10:46 PM	#10
Cadaverous Pallor ohhhh baby Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Parental Bliss Posts: 12,364	I told you I knew nothing about plumbing. __________________ The second star to the right shines in the night for you
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