Remove the aerator parts from the housing and lay them in order on the countertop. Now that the aerator is out, let’s clean it. The metal screen on the aerator may be clogged with grit or mineral deposits, which can be cleaned off by hand or by poking the openings of the metal screen with a pin or needle. Remove the rubber O-ring and the aerator screen. Pour white vinegar into a container or bowl and set it beside the sink. And an inexpensive item to replace every once in a while. In this case, you should stick your masking tape on to the metal surface of the aerator in order to protect it from getting scratched before gripping it with the pliers. Remove any debris and reinstall. Allow it to settle for around 10-15 minutes. They are inexpensive, and as you can tell, easily installed and removed. It’s unlikely you have ever thought of the aerator at the tip of your kitchen faucet, and why would you. Again, if the threads have become mineralized, you might have to use the heated vinegar trick to loosen the aerator and then use the tool or screwdriver to turn it. As we said, an easy fix when needed. Once the teeth are protruded, you can use your fingernail against the teeth to remove it. Just turn the aerator counterclockwise direction and remove it. It was missing the aerator inside and had a bunch of mineral build up to begin with. Even so, aerators should be replaced from time to time to maintain peak performance. However, some types of faucets don’t have an aerator. If none of the above methods have worked, try using WD-40, which is penetrating oil. Now you can try pliers or a rubber wrench again to remove the faucet aerator. 2. Gentle heat applied to the aerator using a hairdryer may slightly expand the metal and make it possible to loosen it with pliers. What is an aerator, and why is it in my kitchen faucet? Look for the aerator inside the collar or the spray head. (See below for a shopping list and tools. If it won’t cooperate, grab a hairdryer to heat the aerator a bit (heat causes the metal to expand), and give the wrench turn another try. If your faucet's device didn't budge, try the steps that follow. One can use a paperclip to unscrew it if you don't have the tools. This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey has a quick fix for a slow-flowing faucet. They also reduce splashing. It is a small mesh screen that breaks up the flow of water into smaller streams and adds air in between them. Even a lit match held near the aerator may loosen the metal. https://upgradedhome.com/how-to-remove-a-faucet-aerator-that-is-stuck Apply heat in moderation, though, as it is easy to melt any plastic parts or rubber washers if the aerator is overheated. If you want to avoid damages to a kitchen faucet, wrap a regular rubber band around it. Cleaning an aerator is one of the simplest household fixes, though. With your pliers, tightly grip the screw section. Wipe off oil from the surface of the aerator before trying to unscrew it, because oil makes the metal slippery. A faucet opening that matches the nickel would be a junior-size aerator and the faucet opening that would match the dime would need the “Tom Thumb” size aerator. The aerator is the small part on the faucet spout’s end. Step 1: Opening. Use the aerator removal tool provided with the faucet to unthread and remove the aerator. The aerator is the small part on the faucet spout’s end. MrKitchenFaucets.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Why Do Aerators on Kitchen Faucets Stop Working? Bend the paperclip so you can stick one end against one of the teeth and push. This will help to dissolve mineral deposits that gummed up the threads. 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