Faucets have an aerator screen just inside the faucet tip. The screen determines the spray pattern for the faucet and controls the flow to provide the best coverage and water pressure. Dirt, hard water deposits or standard wear and tear eventually render the screens useless. A damaged screen may clog, resulting in uneven water pressure, or you may get an uneven spray pattern. Replacing the screen provides a quick and inexpensive fix that requires no special tools or skills.
Close the drain plug or place a rubber stopper in the drain. Dry the faucet assembly completely with a clean towel.
Inspect the faucet for the removable screen assembly. For standard faucets, the tip screws off in a clockwise direction. The screen in faucets with a spray nozzle is sometimes located where the faucet nozzle attaches to the sprayer hose instead of at the tip of the faucet.
Unscrew the faucet tip with your fingers. If you cannot unscrew it by hand, wrap masking tape around the faucet tip to protect it from damage and use pliers to unscrew it.
Remove the rubber O-ring and the aerator screen. Aerator screens are typically made of plastic or metal.
Insert the new aerator screen and replace the O-ring. Screw the screen assembly back onto the faucet.
Things You Will Need
- Masking tape
- Aerator screen sizes and styles vary between faucets. Take the old screen with you to the hardware store to ensure you purchase the correct replacement.
- The screens don't always require replacement. A thorough scrubbing can remove grit and hard water deposits so the old screen is like new again.
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