Caring For Your Faucet

Your faucet should require little maintenance, but there are some care practices you can follow that will ensure your faucet is performing at its best. Never use cleaning chemicals when caring your faucet, mild dish soap and water will keep it looking beautiful.

FLUSHING WATER LINES

A weak stream of water from your faucet is often caused by a buildup of sediment. Flushing out your water lines frequently can clear out any trapped hard water or mineral deposits. Watch and learn how to easily flush out water lines with our How to Flush Water lines video below.

CLEANING THE AERATOR

Aerators are small round devices on the end of your faucet that create a mixture of air and water resulting in a smoother flower. Occasionally build up can occur in your aerator and may require gentle cleaning to ensure best performance.

Start by removing your aerator from the faucet. Your water does not need to be turned off to do so, but you may require an aerator key that can be purchased at a local home improvement store.

Once you have removed the aerator from the faucet, soak it overnight in a 50/50 water and white vinegar solution. This will help to break up any calcium deposits that may have formed. After soaking, rinse the aerator with cool water and screw back onto the faucet spout.

Frequency of aerator cleaning will depend on use and the type of water in your area.

CLEANING CARTRIDGES – BATHROOM FAUCETS
A leaking faucet or poorly functioning handles may be caused by a buildup of sediment in the faucet cartridge. Here we show you how to remove the cartridge and clear away buildup so your faucet runs properly again. Check out our How to Video below which includes step by step instructions for cleaning a
bathroom cartridge.

CLEANING CARTRIDGES – KITCHEN FAUCETS
If your kitchen faucet is leaking or the handles don't shut completely, it could be caused by a buildup of sediment in the faucet cartridge.  Check out our how to video below for step by step instructions on cleaning a kitchen cartridge.

SIDE SPRAYER LEAKING?

If water leaks from your sprayer when it is not engaged, then your sprayer likely needs to be replaced. 

If the leak is on the hose end of the sprayer or the hose itself, first make sure the sprayer is tightly screwed in place. If it is, you may need a hose replacement. 

If water is not coming out of your sprayer when it is engaged, there may be an issue with the faucet’s diverter. In most cases, faucet diverters can be removed and cleaned. 

To remove the faucet diverter, follow these steps:

1.  Turn off the water supply to your faucet.
2.  Open the handle(s) to release any water pressure.
3.  Turn handles back to the closed position.
4.  If your handles are held on with a set screw, remove them using an Allen wrench. If they are held on by a screw, use a screwdriver.
5.  Take off any decorative escutcheon exposing the diverter cartridge.
6.  Using a wrench, unscrew the cartridge out of the valve body.
7.  Remove the cartridge and soak it in a 50/50 warm water and vinegar solution overnight.
8.  Turn the stem of the cartridge in the solution multiple times to loosen any remaining debris.
9.  Remove the aerator from the tip of your faucet and turn your water back on at half-pressure to flush the water lines and remove any debris or buildup in the faucet body.
10.  Turn the water supplies back off.
11.  Reinstall the cartridge, making sure not to overtighten the cartridge in the valve body.
12.  Replace any escutcheon and the handle.
13.  Turn your water back on and test the faucet flow.
    If the water flow is reduced due to buildup in or on the sprayer, unscrew the sprayer from the faucet and soak it in a 50/50 warm water and white vinegar solution overnight. Then, flush it with water to clear out the deposits.