Is Your Faucet Weak or Sputtering? Check Your Aerator

Small part with a big job

If your faucets are sputtering, spraying at odd angles, or the water flow isn't as strong as it once was, it's likely that the small component known as the aerator is clogged.

The good news is that cleaning your aerator is a simple task, requires minimal cost, and can help reduce water bills by ensuring your fixtures operate efficiently.

What’s an aerator, and why does it matter?

That small metal or plastic cap at the tip of your faucet mixes air with water.

Why it's there:

• Smooths the stream (less splashing)

• Traps grit and mineral flakes before they reach you

• Controls flow so you use less water without noticing

Over time, sand, scale, and debris collect in the screen and choke the flow the water from your faucets.

Signs you need to check your aerator

• Weak, uneven, or “spray” flow

• Sputtering when you turn the tap on

• You haven’t serviced it in 6–12 months (or you’re on well/hard water)

What you’ll need

• Small adjustable wrench or pliers (wrap jaws with tape to protect the finish)

• Soft toothbrush

• White vinegar (or a 50/50 vinegar–water mix)

• Paper clip or toothpick

• Towel to cover the drain (so tiny parts don’t disappear)

Tip: Many modern faucets have “hidden” or “cache” aerators that sit flush with the spout and remove with a special key. If your faucet face is flat with no screw cap, you likely need an aerator key (a few dollars at any hardware store).

Step-by-step: How to clean a faucet aerator

Let's go through how to check your aerator:

1. Plug the drain. Drop-proof your workspace.

2. Unscrew the aerator.

• Standard aerator: turn counterclockwise by hand; if tight, use taped pliers gently.

• Hidden/cache aerator: insert the key and turn counterclockwise.

3. Note the order of parts.

• Lay out the housing, screen(s), mixer, and rubber washer in order. A quick phone photo helps.

4. Rinse out loose debris.

• Run water through the parts in reverse flow (from the faucet side out).

5. Soak to dissolve mineral scale.

• Place parts (not rubber washers if they’re delicate) in warm vinegar for 10–30 minutes.

6. Scrub lightly.

• Use a soft brush; clear clogged screen holes with a toothpick or paper clip. Avoid harsh wire brushes.

7. Rinse thoroughly. You don’t want vinegar taste in your next glass of water.

8. Reassemble correctly.

• Make sure the washer sits flat. Cross-threading the housing is a common leak culprit—start threads by hand.

9. Flush the faucet.

• Briefly run water without the aerator to purge remaining grit, then reinstall and test.

How often should I clean it?

City water: every 6–12 months

Well/hard water: every 3–6 months, or whenever you notice weak or strained flow

Bonus savings: Consider a water-saving aerator

Swapping an old 2.2 GPM aerator for a 1.5 GPM model saves about 0.7 gallons per minute. If your household runs the faucet ~10 minutes/day, that’s roughly 7 gallons/day or ~2,555 gallons/year—without feeling slower thanks to the aeration.

Troubleshooting

• Still low flow after cleaning? Remove the aerator and test. If flow is fine without it, the aerator may be damaged—replace it.

• Leaking at the tip? The washer may be flipped, missing, or the housing cross-threaded. Re-seat the washer and carefully reinstall.

• White flakes/grit keep coming back? You may have mineral scale in pipes or a failing water heater dip tube—time for a pro to take a look. Call 3rd Rock Plumbing and we'll get our pros out!

Quick safety & finish-protection tips

• Wrap plier jaws with painter’s or electrical tape to protect chrome/black finishes.

• Avoid strong acids or descalers on plated or matte black fixtures; vinegar is usually safe.

• Don’t overtighten—a snug hand-tight fit is enough.

FAQ

Do I need to shut off water?

No. You’ll run the faucet briefly during cleaning, but there’s no need to shut off the supply.

Will cleaning change my water pressure?

It restores normal flow at the faucet. If whole-home pressure is low, that’s a different issue (pressure regulator, main valve, or supply) and something we would be glad to help you diagnose and fix. Just give us a call at 828-324-0500 to schedule.

What size aerator should I buy if replacing?

Bringing the old aerator to the store—or buying a small multi-pack—is easiest. Common sizes are standard (15/16"-27 male or 55/64"-27 female) and cache sizes (M16.5–M24).