How to Clean or Replace a Faucet Aerator
Weak or sputtering flow from one faucet is almost always the aerator, not the plumbing. Cheapest fix in the house.
Before you start: this is general information, not a diagnosis of your specific situation. Shut off water where instructed, take your time, and stop if anything looks different than described here. If you're not comfortable at any point, stop and call us — that's what we're here for.
- 1Unscrew the aerator — the small mesh screen cap at the very tip of the faucet spout — by hand, or with pliers wrapped in tape to avoid scratching it.
- 2Take it apart (it's usually a stack of small screens and a rubber washer) and note the order of the pieces.
- 3Rinse everything under running water and use an old toothbrush or a pin to clear mineral buildup out of the mesh screens.
- 4Reassemble in the same order and screw it back onto the faucet, hand-tight.
- 5If it's cracked, badly corroded, or cleaning didn't restore flow, just buy a new one — bring the old one to match the thread size.
If the low flow is happening at every faucet in the house, not just one, that's not an aerator problem — that could be a pressure or supply-line issue, and it's worth a call.
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