How To Clean My Aerator

Have you ever turned on your sink only to have the water shoot out at a weird angle, or maybe it’s coming out in an irregular pattern? While annoying and sometimes messy, it doesn’t mean you need to replace the whole faucet just yet. We have a quick and easy way to clean your faucet in a few minutes.  

The Culprit? Your Aerator

An aerator is the little piece at the very tip of your faucet, and its job is to mix air with the water to give you a nice, smooth stream. Over time, tiny bits of sediment and “gunk” from your water lines get trapped in there, causing that weird spray pattern. In three easy steps, you can get your aerator clean again.

Step 1: Remove the Aerator

First thing you need to do is get a firm grip on the very end of the faucet. Most aerators are designed to be threaded off by hand. Just twist it and it should come right off.

Step 2: The Reveal

Look inside that aerator. Do you see dirt and sediment? That’s exactly what’s blocking your water flow. You can clean the aerator out by either rinsing under another faucet or using an old toothbrush to flick out those tiny pebbles and mineral deposits. Once it looks clean, rinse one last time to make sure the mesh is totally clean.

Step 3: Put It Back Together

Now that the aerator is clean, it’s time to put it back on the faucet. Thread it back onto the end of the faucet, making sure it is hand tight. No need for any tools. Over-tightening can damage the threads or the little rubber washer inside. Turn the water on and there you go. You should be back to a perfect, normal stream pattern.

It’s amazing how a quick bit of maintenance can make your sink feel brand new again. If you have a clog that a simple cleaning can’t fix, contact Blue Chip Plumbing here or give us a call today at (513) 999-6820.