How to Change Your Faucet Aerator

Keep your faucet running smoothly by replacing the aerator.

If the water is flowing erratically out of your faucet, there's a good chance there is some kind of buildup in the aerator, which is at the tip of the faucet with a screen attached inside. It mixes the water with air for a smooth water flow. This is likely to happen in the case of a hard water buildup. It's a simple process to replace your faucet aerator.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Channel locks or pliers
• Rag

1. Wrap a rag around the aerator so you don't scratch anything. Place the channel locks or pliers around the aerator, squeeze lightly and twist it clockwise to loosen it. Remove it from the faucet.

2. Take the aerator to your hardware store and purchase a match for it. Most hardware stores have an aerator template that you can place yours into to see which size you need. The one yours fits into should be the right one. Make sure to get the one with the same threads on it. Some aerators have threads inside of them and some on the outside.

3. Screw the new aerator into the faucet neck using your fingers first. Twist it counterclockwise until it stops. Place the rag around it. Place your channel locks or pliers around it and lightly squeeze. Just make it snug -- no need to overtighten it.

Tips & Warnings

• You might not need to replace the aerator. Once you remove it, carefully disassemble the parts and clean the screen. Reassemble it, then replace it to see if that fixes the problem.

References

• Acme How To: How To Clean or Replace a Faucet Aerator
• Family Handyman: Unclog a Kitchen Faucet Aerator