How to Remove Aerator From a Pull-down Faucet

The aerator is an inlet screen in the spray head of the kitchen faucet that might also be present in the faucet spout.

This screen, known as the aerator, has a vital role to play. It is responsible for turning the water supply into tiny streams as it flows out of the pullout sprayer.

Sometimes mineral buildup can clog this aerator.

A clogged aerator can affect the water flow and cause low water pressure. Or the aerator may stop working altogether.

In this article, to resolve this problem, we learn how we can remove and clean a faucet aerator, along with other essential tidbits about an aerator.

A removed aerator from pull down faucet

First, Get to Know the Parts of a Pull-down Faucet

The kitchen faucet has three main components: the spray head, spray face, and aerator.

Spray Head

The spray head is the main component in which the spray face and the aerator are fixed. In a pull-down faucet, you can pull this pray head out towards you and use it as a sprayer over the entire sink.

Spray Face

The spray face is the opening of this spray head, through which the water flows. This is often the part where mineral deposits can gather.

Aerator

Lastly, the aerator is what we are concerned with. The aerator is a small screen inside the spray face of the spray-head. This is an essential part of the whole faucet.

This part can also suffer from mineral deposits, and hence, the faucet aerators need to be cleaned regularly as well.

If your aerator keeps getting clogged, you will have to spend precious time finding a replacement for it.

Parts of a Pull-down Faucet

What You Need

There are some materials that you will need when you want to remove the faucet aerator from the faucet. They are as following:

  • Adjustable wrench (an important tool)
  • Small clamp
  • Vinegar
  • Pliers
  • Screwdriver
  • An old toothbrush

Using these materials, we will attempt to remove and then clean the clogged aerator.

Remove the Aerator From Your Pull-down Faucet Easily

The types

There are mainly three different types of aerators that come in the pull-down kitchen sink faucets. It can be in the sprayer or the faucet spout.

Aerated

This one provides the standard spray where air molecules are infused with the water flow.

Spray

This one is like a sprayer that provides a miniature version of a shower spray.

Laminar

This aerator provides a solid but non-splashing stream.

These are all different in their own ways, but most faucet aerators can be removed in the same way.

Steps to remove an aerator from your faucets:

If you want to unscrew an aerator inlet screen from faucets or the spout without any complicated tool, the following steps might work for you.

  1. Loosen and remove spray head and the hose.
  2. Use a clamp or clothespin to block off the hose, so it does not start retracting back.
  3. Unscrew the spray head.
  4. Find where the aerator is in the spray head or the hose, and remove it using a screwdriver.

A screwdriver is a relatively easy tool to use, and if you cannot find your family handyman for this process, you can even do it yourself.

Woman reading a book with a title Faucet Aerator Guide

How to clean the aerator after removing it from the faucets:

  1. Rinse out the aerator with water usage. Gradually turn it underwater to drain all the holes. Put pressure to remove any mineral deposits using a good grip with a toothbrush.
  2. Screw it back in place.

Is this enough?

Sometimes the water pressure and flow might still be weak after cleaning the aerator.

You will see the biggest difference if you clean the entire spray head along with the aerator.

This will solve the problem of weak flow in addition to fixing the water pressure. Both the faucet and flexible hose should also be kept clean.

If you ever feel like the buildup is too much and you would instead buy a new spray head altogether, do not forget to consult a good supplier.

What else can you do?

You might also need to loosen and unscrew the plastic fitting at the hose end because it can often get clogged by debris as well. Hence rinsing it out is very important.

The piece might be just a tiny plastic component, but it can have an impact on the water flow.

If you ever need to replace your aerator, find a good supplier and do not wait too late. The quicker you replace a defective aerator, the better it will be.

Wrap Up

The small inlet screen in your faucets is called an aerator that you never really cared about? Yes, it’s important. Soak and clean it regularly yourself or call up your family handyman to do it for you.

All you need to do is to screw off your aerator and then screw it back on after cleaning.

So make sure you keep your aerator clean, so you do not have to go find a replacement for it again and again.