How To Clean a Faucet Aerator

When your faucet clogs up, homeowners will sometimes find a calcium buildup in the end of the faucet caused from mineral deposits, sediment and grime, which can lead to increased water pressure in the kitchen faucet or bathroom faucet, causing water streams to shoot out of the faucet spout. The faucet aerators purpose is to control the water flow and add air to the amount of water that comes from the faucet spout. Fortunately, a quick DIY clean-up is all it might take to solve these kinds of clogs. 

You will need to take off the cap to access the aerator parts, which is at the end of the faucet, and then you will have to remove the inside mesh screen(s). The screens are what you need to clean. Bear in mind some of the small parts like rubber washers, mesh screens, or various caps may be easy to drop or loose, so like any home improvement project, keep track of your parts.

 Here are the items you want for the job:

• A set of groove-joint pliers (these are adjustable to the size of the pipe fitting)
• White vinegar or lime-dissolving solution (If you are using vinegar, make the solution with one part hot water to one part vinegar)
• Masking tape
• Paperclip
• An old toothbrush or wire brush
• Small bowl

First, you need to prepare for the process. You can put masking tape on the aerator or on the pliers to keep your faucet or showerhead from getting scratched. You may want to cover up the sink drain, or else smaller parts of the aerator could fall through. Finally, you may also want to line the counter with a towel. Next, use the pliers to screw the aerator clockwise — and carefully. If you squeeze or twist with too much force, parts of the aerator can break. Once the aerator is off, you can take out the inside screens. Pushing them out might work; here is where the paper clip could come in handy. If you still cannot get the screens out, you can put the aerator in your solution for half an hour.

Once the screens are out, you may want to place every part of the aerator onto the towel, keeping them in the right order. When it comes time to put everything back together again, you will know which order to follow. Take your toothbrush and carefully clean out every part of the aerator. If you use too much force, the screens could warp and become useless. You would then have to buy new ones.

When you have cleaned everything up, you can reassemble the parts of the aerator, working in reverse order to how you took everything apart. Usually, this means putting in the screen(s), disk, and then a washer or O-ring. The number and type of parts can vary according to the model of your faucet. To put the aerator back on, use your hand to turn it counterclockwise. Then you can use pliers to screw this on tighter.

If you are still experiencing problems with the water flow in your home plumbing system, you may want to contact a Kansas City plumber. Whether you are having trouble with clogged drains or are experiencing any other plumbing problems, you can find the help you need at A-1 Sewer & Septic Service Inc. Call our office today to reach a dependable Kansas City plumber.