How to Remove a Flow Restrictor From a Kitchen Faucet

Most kitchen faucets have flow restrictors--the little filters on the end of the faucet head--installed in order to reduce waste. Sometimes the restrictors work on their own, and sometimes they are placed in devices known as aerators. Removing a flow restrictor for good is not recommended (it will increase your water bill, among other reasons), but you may want to know how to remove it in case you need to replace it. Old flow restrictors can get gunked up with mildew and calcification, and replacing them may be the best option. Removing the flow restrictor is extremely simple--you simply need to know how best to detach it from the faucet head.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Wrench
• Pliers
• Rubber band
• Plumber's tape
• Scrub brush
• Plumber's key
• White vinegar

Flow Restrictors on Their Own

1. Check your faucet to see if the flow restrictor is installed on its own or whether it is part of an aerator. If it is on its own, you can remove it very easily.

2. Attach a thick rubber band to the flow restrictor and gently but firmly twist it with a pair of pliers. The rubber band will prevent the finish from being marred while still providing a firm grip.

3. Scrub the flow restrictor clean with a scrub brush or throw it out for a new one. For stubborn deposits, try soaking it in white vinegar for a few minutes.

4. Wrap a piece of plumber's tape around the threads and screw the clean or new flow restrictor back into place.

Flow Restrictors in Aerators

5. Examine how best to remove the aerator. Some can be screwed off in a manner identical to that described in Section 1. Others may use a length of rubber tube or a rubber stopper to stay in place. You can remove them by wetting them down and applying a little dish soap, which should allow them to pop right off. Particularly high-end models may have a tamper-proof apparatus, in which case you can remove them with a plumber's key. Contact the manufacturer or visit your local hardware store to get a key that works for your faucet.

6. Carefully remove the pieces of the aerator one by one and lay them in a line along your counter top. Once the aerator is clear of the faucet, it should come out very easily.

7. Locate the flow restrictor in the row of parts. It should be the disk with holes in it, and will typically lie between a rubber washer and a small screen.

8. Clean the restrictor gently with a scrub brush or soak it with white vinegar as in Section 1. If it is beyond repair, it should be replaced with a new one.

9. Replace the aerator components one by one in the housing and fit it back into place on the faucet, either by screwing it into position, sliding the rubber tube into place or using the plumber's key.

10. Run the water for a few minutes to ensure that there are no problems.

Tips & Warnings

• When removing a flow restrictor, remember to use firm, steady pressure rather than sudden jerking movements. If you don't remove it carefully, you could damage the faucet itself.