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     Poor functional flow of water at sink faucets is very common----and very common with faucets that have aerators.  Aerators are restrictors/filters at the end of the faucet that reduce the flow of water and add air to the flow to provide a less splattering flow of water as well as reduce water consumption to some extent.

     As you can see at this faucet, with the hot water fully turned on, the flow is not very good----slow enough that no air is being introduced into the stream.

Poor functional flow

     If you take the aerator off you will often find crud compacted in the screens.  This picture shows all kinds of debris caught in the screen of a New Construction home----mostly construction debris from not adequately flushing the lines prior to installation of the fixtures.

Some of the prettiest crud I ever saw in an aerator

     Improving functional flow can be as simple as merely cleaning out the aerator.  Deteriorating old galvanized pipes also clog up aerators.  Some areas of the country that have really hard water, the screens can get plugged with minerals.  These screens can be cleaned by soaking them in a small amount of vinegar.  If you keep the aerator clean----the water should flow more freely.

Now THAT is what I am talking about

    As this one did when I cleaned all the gunk out of the aerator pictured above.

Charles Buell

 

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31 Comments on Sometimes you have to go with the flow!

FEB
11
2010
421,494 Points 76 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Charles - Great reminder for homeowners to check their aerators. They'll all clog over time, and the pipes in new homes are almost always filled with "gunk" from assembly.

8:14am • #1
127,917 Points 2 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Charles! Thanks for the great tip!~ Ellie

8:20am • #2
749,638 Points 99 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

John, it used to surprise me how easy it was to surprise people when I show them this during as inspection:)

Ellie, you are welcome

8:26am • #3
104,294 Points 6 Featured Posts

Hi Charles, I'm sure you made the homeowners happy by getting their rain water flowing again . . . good work!

8:28am • #4
571,626 Points 82 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Wow, I never knew to check my aerators!  In fact, never knew I had aerators.  Can't wait to go home and check them out.  Great info as always Charles!

8:31am • #5
1,033,574 Points 165 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

can you come to my house today and do all of mine?????

8:32am • #6
749,638 Points 99 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Frank----well now they know how to do all the rest:)

Amy, let us know how they were----with pictures:)

Barbara---just send me the plane ticket:)

8:33am • #7
249,848 Points 3 Featured Posts

I've used this simple fix a few times - My Dad taught me to look for that years ago. It's good to know!

Debi

9:45am • #8
152,984 Points 2 Featured Posts

Charles,

Thanks for the tip.  I had a new construction home that the same thing happened but it was on the gas line.  Very little gas was getting into the house.  We were first told the valves on the furnance units were bad, but on both units?  Then they found that the lines were all clogged with construction junk.

9:54am • #9
829,149 Points 156 Featured Posts Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Hi Charles,

A very good post and reminder once again that what seems apparent ( low water pressure ) is not always , in fact rarely, the culprit.

10:21am • #10
Attended Rain Camp

Even your inspection photos are great.  Why don't you have a photography business on the side? 

10:25am • #11
430,233 Points 71 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

I find this to be a problem especially with homes that are on wells. I have had some that the sediment was so bad the homeowners had removed the aerators to keep the flow going.

11:40am • #12
722,157 Points 47 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I have to soak mine in vinager about once a year... including the screens on the back of the washing machine.  Mind you if my husband changed the whole house water filter as often as I ask him to, we might not have this problem, but he's so close to perfect that I let it slide.

2:51pm • #13
749,638 Points 99 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Debi, glad you know this info----I am always amazed by how many had no idea
Diane----pretty common with new gas lines too
William---for sure
Marcy---and have two professions to starve at?:)
James---a lot of people like to "fix" the issue by removing the screens:)
Tammy----don't mess with perfection----or especially "close" to perfection:)

3:09pm • #14
612,296 Points 163 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Looked like a bad dip tube debris to me.

When was the water heater manufactured?

4:05pm • #15
173,447 Points 50 Featured Posts

That was certainly picture-worthy. That definitely beats the nastiest aerator I've ever seen.

9:07pm • #16
749,638 Points 99 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Jay---not that----house is 2008

Reuben, it is purty isn't it:)

9:19pm • #17
2 Featured Posts Outside Blog

As James stated, those with wells can have issues, especially when there are times when the well gets low. The pump can start bringing up all kinds of sediment. Sure is nice to find out that cleaning out the aerator is all that is needed for a quick fix. Sure beats paying for a service call and finding out the hard way.

9:33pm • #18
1,103,575 Points 45 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Charlie,

If Nutsy can make more water than the faucet or tub, we write it up.

11:52pm • #19
FEB
12
2010
687,078 Points 83 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Always get the home inspected -- even new construction!  Good reminder!!

12:53am • #20
824,761 Points 9 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Charles, great reminder, we have really hard water, so we need to keep up on those minerals that clog things up! 

12:58am • #21
3 Featured Posts

Charles,

Thanks for sharing as always, great tips.

all the best...

8:36am • #22
114,059 Points 2 Featured Posts

That was very nasty my friend, great reminder.

9:37am • #24
749,638 Points 99 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Troy, for sure wells can be particularly nasty when it comes to crud in the lines
Steven, have you taken your meds or given Nutsy his?
Carla, new construction is just different---not less necessary
Tony, yes hard water cruds these aerators up on an ongoing basis
Bill, you are welcome
Jim, but it was "pretty":)

9:45am • #25
1,103,575 Points 45 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Mr Charles,

I could not help but to notice this post. Were you inspired to write it after reading my post about how to build a sink from a metal bowl? I guess I should not feel like you took my idea since imitation is a sincere form of flattery they say.

Nutsy,

 

4:18pm • #26
547,212 Points 15 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

That's the new style faucet and sink that buyers are loving.  Personally, I prefer the faucets that require only one hand for the water flow.  Beauty before function rules.

10:27pm • #27
749,638 Points 99 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Nutsy, don't let that cork hit you in the eye again

Barbara, I guess both types of faucets have their issues

11:45pm • #28
FEB
13
2010
300,676 Points 55 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Charlie - Homeownership 101 ...but so many homeowners never take these simple measures.

10:15am • #29
749,638 Points 99 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Carol, it really is one of the simpler home maintenace items

10:18am • #30
FEB
14
2010
546,166 Points 11 Featured Posts

Hi Charles -- Wow, it's amazing what these aerators can trap.  It is intersting to see how useful vinegar is.

8:38pm • #31
749,638 Points 99 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Chris they can clog to the point that virtually all flow is blocked---then someone calls a plumber---he charges you $150.00 and you are happy:)

11:13pm • #32

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Charles Buell, Seattle Home Inspector

Seattle, WA

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Charles Buell Inspections.com

Address: Seattle, Shoreline, Everett, Lynnwood, Bothel, Kirkland, Bellevue, Mercer Island, Edmonds, Renton, King County, 17123 22nd Ave NE, Shoreline (Seattle), WA, 98155

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