Our apt has developed a small plumbing issue and figured I'd ask here before contacting maintenance.

The faucet in our master bath, which until a week or three ago flowed fine (both hot and cold), has started to have serious flow issues. If the handle is turned all the way on immediately, the flow rate is maybe 25% of "normal." If you slowly turn the flow on, it will start around 75% of normal pressure and flow, but will typically drop back to minimal flow after a few seconds. If you can find the point right before it is reduced, it will occasionally maintain the higher flow rate.

Temps are normal. The toilet in this bathroom has no problems. The shower in this bathroom has no problems. The other bathrooms, kitchen, and wet bar sink have no issues. The sink in question is at the opposite end of the apartment from the water heater, though the toilet is further away by about 8-10 feet.

If I turn off either the hot or cold supply line (one at a time) the flow issue is still present in whichever supply is on.

eh?

11/4/2010 9:31:17 AM

Sounds like a clog in the faucet valve. Sometimes a piece of gasket will break off, or a calcium deposit, and get caught up in the valve.

11/4/2010 9:50:14 AM

First and easiest is to check the aerator on the faucet to see if there's any junk in it.

11/4/2010 11:48:00 AM

^yea, already pulled that out and its good to go

^^so...yank the faucet off and inspect internals?

11/4/2010 1:14:35 PM

A clog is likely, without a pic it would be hard to give advice as to the best way to pull it apart. It shouldnt be too involved though. Just make sure when you put it back together, to pull the aerator off and run the water for a few seconds before you put it back on. If you do break up deposits, any leftover particles can clog the aerator if your not careful.

11/5/2010 8:21:54 AM

If you are renting why wouldn't you just call maintenance? That is one of the few benefits of renting vs. owning.

And on top of that, if you try to fix it yourself and fuck it up worse, the apt complex will probably charge you for the repairs.

[Edited on November 5, 2010 at 2:17 PM. Reason : a]

11/5/2010 2:16:50 PM