If flow from your faucet is less than it should be, your aerator may just need cleaning. Hard water deposits and sediment in the water collect on the screen and gradually clog it. It is easy to clean an aerator, and it takes less than 5 minutes! Give it a try!
Here’s how to do it:
1. Turn off the faucet.
2. Wrap a rag around the aerator to protect it, then grip it with pliers and turn it counterclockwise to loosen it. Once it turns freely, unscrew and remove it with your fingers.
3. Turn the aerator upside down, hold it under the faucet and turn on the water. This back-flushes the screen and removes sediment lodged inside it.
4. Remove the rubber washer and put it in a safe place. Place the rest of the aerator in a bowl of white vinegar and leave it overnight. The vinegar will dissolve hard water deposits that won’t come off by back-flushing.
5. Put the washer back on the aerator and screw the aerator back onto the faucet. Using the rag and pliers, tighten the threads to prevent water from leaking from the top of the aerator when you turn on the water. If water does leak, tighten the aerator a bit more.
