How Does a Kitchen Faucet Sprayer Work?

Sprayer Head

The sprayer head consists of a handle or trigger and an aerator. The aerator is where the water comes through when the trigger is pulled. At the base of the sprayer head is a mount that the sprayer head connects to. Between the sprayer head and the mount is a rubber washer that prevents the sprayer head from leaking. A retaining clip holds the washer in place. There are low end or average sprayers that are primarily made of plastic. Some sprayers are more expensive made of metal to match your faucet.

Connection

The end of the sprayer hose connects to the underneath side of the faucet and to the mount for the sprayer head. A connector on the end of the spray hose connects to a nipple on the underneath side of the faucet. There will be a hot and cold water line connected on each side. Inside of the base of the faucet there is a diverter valve that directs the flow of water. The diverter valve can only be reached by removing the faucet or tap from the top side of the sink.

Sprayer Handle

When the handle or trigger is squeezed on the sprayer, the diverter valve senses a change in water pressure and directs the water through the sprayer hose instead of the faucet. The water must be turned on in order for the sprayer to work.

Multifunction Sprayer

Some sprayers are now multifunctional. The sprayer head also acts as the faucet. There is a button on each side of the sprayer head that when one side is pressed the water flows as it does from an ordinary faucet. When the button is pressed on the other side the faucet becomes a sprayer. There is a hose connected to the sprayer that retracts into the center of the faucet base. This is just one example of a sprayer faucet combination. There are several designs and not all will have two buttons to change the water pattern.

Resources

• How a Sprayer Head Works