How to Fix Kitchen Faucet Sprays

Kitchen faucet sprayers are handy to have for rinsing fresh fruits and vegetables as well as cleaning the sink out. You may need to know how to fix kitchen faucet sprays if you develop leaks or restricted water flow in your sprayer. The kitchen faucet sprayer can be repaired or replaced quickly. You can purchase sprayers and sprayer repair kits at hardware stores.

Things You'll Need

• Pliers
• Vinegar
• Needle-nose pliers
• Wrench set
• Replacement hose
• Replacement kitchen faucet sprayer
• Plumber's tape

Instructions

General Repair

1. Turn the aerator counterclockwise to remove it from the sprayer nozzle. If the aerator is difficult to turn, wrap a cloth over the aerator and turn it using a pair of pliers. The cloth will protect the finish of the aerator and the nozzle head.

2. Use a small toothbrush to clean the inside of the aerator. A large amount of sediment buildup will require soaking the aerator in vinegar for an hour. Rinse the aerator out thoroughly after cleaning and reinstall the aerator to the sprayer nozzle.

3. Inspect the hose for cracks, splits and overall wear. Look closely at the connections between the hose and sprayer head.

4. Turn the water supply off to the faucet. The water shut-off valve will be under the sink, near the incoming water lines.

5. Pull the sprayer head away from the sink. Grab the hose with one hand near the sprayer head and twist the sprayer head counterclockwise with the other hand. Remove the sprayer head from the hose. Use a pair of needle nose pliers to pull the washer out of the sprayer head.

6. Use a wrench to remove the sprayer hose from the faucet underneath the sink. Attach the new hose to the faucet and tighten the retaining nut with a wrench.

7. Push the opposite end of the hose through the sprayer nozzle hole in the sink. Insert the new washer into the sprayer nozzle and attach the hose to the sprayer nozzle. Turn the water back on to the faucet and check your connections for leaks.

Replace

1. Turn the water off at the water shut-off valve for the faucet.

2. Remove the hose from the faucet by using a wrench to turn the attaching nut counterclockwise. Carefully, pull the sprayer nozzle out and remove the hose.

3. Insert the faucet end of the hose through the sprayer nozzle seat in the sink. Go under the sink and wrap plumber's tape around the threads of the faucet connection. Attach the new hose to the faucet using the attaching nut and tighten it down with a wrench.

4. Turn the water back on to the faucet and check for leaks.

Tips & Warnings

• Kitchen faucet sprayers that pull directly from the faucet are repaired and replaced the same way as the side sprayers are.

References

• Reader's Digest: How to Fix a Leaking Sink Sprayer
• Lowe's: Repairing and Replacing a Kitchen Sprayer