This is a common problem in regions withheavy mineral content in the water supply.
What Is an Aerator?
Most people do not know an aerator fitting is affixed and oftencall a plumberto make an extremely easy repair.
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In most cases,cleaning the aeratorwill do the trick.
Sometimes, the aerator needs replacement.
Usually, the aerator is screwed on tight and can be unscrewed and removed quite easily.
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In other cases, mineral deposit buildup may clog the aerator and make it hard to remove.
In this case, applying heat or penetrating oil can help.
A small pair of channel-pop in pliers works best for this.
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When viewed from underneath the faucet, where the aerator is screwed in, the threading is normal.
Remember the tip “righty-tighty” to screw it on and “lefty-loosey” to screw it off).
Only try this step if you know your aerator has no plastic parts.
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Heat can melt or damage plastic and rubber washers.
If you are not sure, apply heat in moderation.
Clean the Aerator
Once the aerator is removed, separate the parts and note their arrangement.
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An aerator can have many small parts that must go back together in the same way to function correctly.
Various aerator heads are available, including swivel-head types that improve the faucet’s functionality.
Scrub the visible parts with a toothbrush.
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Most kitchen and bathroom sinks come standard with an aerator.
Using a faucet without an aerator is OK. Water flows faster and more forcefully.
Sometimes, it might be beneficial, like clothes washer hookups and bathtubs.
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Hidden or recessed aerators are threaded internally in the faucet head.
These aerators require a special key to remove them.
The Big Benefits of Cleaning and Updating Faucet Aerators.City of Denver Water.
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