How to Troubleshoot a Faucet Sprayer

Sprayers malfunction for multiple reasons

Faucet sprayers are a convenience at kitchen sinks that allow you to spray around the interior of the sink or move the sprayer to rinse pots, pans and even foods such as pasta. However, as the sprayers age, they begin to malfunction, leak and in some cases stop working altogether. Faucet sprayers fail for a variety of reasons, but most of them are basic plumbing fixes. The first step is to diagnose the sprayer to identify the specific problem.

Things You'll Need

• Glass or bowl
• White vinegar

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Instructions

1. Pull the sprayer up out of the sink and look closely at the holes where water emerges. These are often clogged with food or mineral deposits from hard water. If deposits are present, fill a glass or bowl with 1 cup of white vinegar and insert the sprayer into it for 10 minutes to remove the clogs. Test the sprayer to see if the flow is improved.

2. Turn the water faucet on and then lift the sprayer out and press the back lever. If the water begins to spray but then stops, or if it dribbles instead of spraying, the diverter is broken and requires replacement. The diverter is most likely at fault, too, if the water pulses out of the sprayer in machine-gun fashion or if water continues to flow out of the faucet while you're using the sprayer.

3. Leave the water running and press the back lever on the sprayer again. Examine the bottom of the spray head, where the flexible hose begins, and watch for leaks. If leaks occur at this location, the faucet head assembly is faulty and requires replacement.

4. Open any cabinet doors under the sink and look for water puddles on the floor. Turn the upper faucet on again, if it is not already, and closely watch the underside of the sprayer hose. Let the water run for at least one to two minutes and observe the connection where the spray hose meets the main water line. If leaks occur at the connection, the nut requires tightening or the hose should be replaced.

References

• Popular Mechanics; 10 Quick Fixes for Problem Faucets; December 2009
• The Family Handyman: How to Repair a Kitchen Faucet
• Delta Faucet: Troubleshoot Your Faucet
• The Family Handyman: How to Fix a Leaking Sink Sprayer