When only one tap has a weak flow, the cause is usually at or near that tap, such as a blocked aerator, a partly closed isolation valve or a worn cartridge. If every tap in the home is weak, the problem is more likely to be with the wider water supply instead.
Comparing taps is a simple first step. It helps you work out whether you are dealing with a tap fault or something bigger.
Blocked Aerators and Filters
Most modern taps have a small mesh aerator screwed into the end of the spout. It mixes air with the water to give a smooth flow. Over time, limescale and tiny bits of grit can clog the mesh and cut the flow right down.
You may notice the water spraying sideways, spitting or coming out in a thin stream. Many aerators unscrew by hand, so they can be rinsed under another tap. If it is stuck, leave it rather than gripping the spout with tools, as this can damage the finish.
Some mixer taps also have small filters where the supply pipes connect. These can catch debris after work on the mains or the pipes in your home.
Isolation Valves and Supply Pipes
Many taps have an isolation valve on the pipe underneath. It may have a slot for a screwdriver or a small lever. If it was partly closed during earlier work and never fully reopened, the tap will run weakly.
Kinked flexible tap connectors under a sink or basin can have the same effect. Look for any hose that is bent sharply or squashed by stored items.
Never force a valve that will not turn easily, as old valves can snap or start leaking.
Worn Parts Inside the Tap
Inside the tap, a cartridge or headgear controls how much water flows. If it is worn, scaled up or partly blocked, the tap may not open fully even when the handle is turned all the way.
If only the hot or only the cold side is weak, the issue may be on that one supply, which can point to a valve, a filter or a part inside the tap. It does not necessarily mean the tap must be replaced.
A tap that slowly gets weaker over weeks often points to a build-up of scale. A tap that dropped suddenly, perhaps after work on the pipes or a supply interruption, is more likely to have debris caught in it.
When It Is More Than One Tap
If several taps are weak at once, the cause may be the incoming supply, the stopcock, or the hot water system. Help with water pressure problems may be the better fit for that wider picture.
If just one tap is letting you down, we can provide help with a faulty tap in Oxford, checking the aerator, valve and internal parts to get the flow back to normal.