How to Repair or Replace a Kitchen Faucet Aerator

AERATORS are the small, often overlooked pieces of mesh hidden at the very tip of your kitchen faucet spout. They act as a filter, mixing air with water to create a steady, splash-free stream while simultaneously trapping sediment, pipe rust, and calcium deposits. When your kitchen sink starts spraying water in unpredictable directions or the water pressure suddenly drops, the culprit is almost always a clogged aerator.

1. Catch Falling Parts First. Place a rag or a piece of tape over the sink drain opening. This ensures that the tiny washers, O-rings, or the aerator itself do not slip down the drain if you happen to drop them.
2. Unscrew Without Scratching. Grip the aerator housing with adjustable pliers, using a thick rubber band or a piece of cloth between the metal and the jaws to prevent scratching the finish. Turn counter-clockwise to unscrew the aerator from the faucet spout.
3. Document Assembly Order. Once removed, push the internal parts out of the metal housing, keeping note of the order of the rubber gasket, the screens, and the plastic restrictor. Lay them out on a flat surface in the exact order they came out.
4. Dissolve Mineral Buildup. Soak all parts in a small bowl filled with white vinegar for an hour to dissolve mineral deposits. Use an old toothbrush to scrub away any remaining debris from the mesh screens.
5. Check Rubber Gasket Health. Examine the rubber O-ring or flat washer for cracks or signs of dry rot. If the rubber is brittle or damaged, it will cause leaks at the spout head.
6. Verify Flow and Seal. Stack the cleaned or new components back into the housing and screw the unit back onto the faucet by hand. Turn on the water slowly to check for leaks and confirm the flow pattern is uniform.