If you are not satisfied with the water pressure, you should remove the faucet aerator for a better result. But all of us don’t have a toolbox in our house, so how do you do that?
Don’t worry; even if you don’t have any particular tool to dismantle the faucet aerator, you can still do that. No matter what type of structure it is, there is a way to remove it without any specific key.
So if you want to know how to remove a faucet aerator without a wrench, it would be our greatest pleasure to guide you through the process. come with us!
How to Remove a Faucet Aerator Without Wrench – All You Need to Know
The aerator breaks down the solid stream of water and adds air to it. In this way, you can save up to 30% water every day! But the problem is, sometimes it gets clogged and interrupts the water flow.
There mineral buildup in the faucet aerator can be solved by cleaning it properly, or you may need to replace the whole thing. No matter what your goal is, you have to Remove a Faucet Aerator.
So here we are going to tell you how to do that without an aerator wrench or any specific tool. By the time you finish reading this article, you don’t have to pay the plumber for fixing this issue ever again!
Here is how you Remove a Faucet Aerator by hand.
Step One – Get Your Gears
As you will remove the faucet aerator by hand, it’s not going to be easy for you. The aerator will be slippery; hence you will need something that will allow you to have a secure grip.
You need to find a pair of rubber gloves so you can grab the aerator you try to unscrew it. If you can’t find any gloves, you can use a towel instead.
Step Two – Unscrew the Aerator
Now hold the aerator with your fingers and twist it. You should try to do it in an anti-clockwise motion for the best result.
Some aerators come with ridges, so you can use your fingernails to grip onto them and try to unthread the whole thing. If you don’t want to use your nails, you can use a flat screwdriver or an old door key just in case.
However, sometimes an aerator gets stuck to the faucet due to excessive buildups. And then the task becomes even more challenging for you without any tools. So here are some tips that you can try to loosen the aerator.
How to Remove a Stuck Faucet Aerator?
If you don’t clean the aerator regularly, it can get stuck pretty easily. Well, removing it won’t be an impossible task, but it will surely take some time.
Don’t worry; by following the tips given below, you can solve this issue without any trouble.
Heat the Aerator
If you try to heat the aerator, the metal will expand, and you can wiggle it out effortlessly. So for applying heat, you can use a hairdryer or a lit matchstick. You don’t need any high temperature; some gentle heat will get your job done.
However, you should be careful as overheating can melt any plastic or rubber parts. So apply heat in moderation to prevent any unpleasant incidents.
Additionally, if you are using cheaper faucets, check before using this method as they usually come with plastic aerators.
Apply Penetrating Oil
You can also use try to spray some penetrating oil such as WD-40 into the trapped aerator. After applying the grease, let it sit for a while so it can loosen up. Then wipe off the oil using a dry paper towel or cloth and unscrew it.
Use a Cleaning Solution
This is the easiest method of all as it takes minimum effort. You can get any cleaning solution from the market, or plain white vinegar will do the trick!
Just soak a piece of cloth in white vinegar or a cleaning solution that wraps it around the faucet. It will dissolve all the buildups from the aerator, and then you can easily remove them.
However, this process will take time, so you need to work with patience here.
How to Clean a Faucet Aerator?
If you keep the aerator clean, you don’t have to go through any drastic measures like replacing the whole thing. So here is a method that you can try for regular maintenance.
Things you will need-
- Channel-lock pliers
- Masking Tape
- Toothbrush
- Toothpick or paper clip
- Vinegar
Step One – Remove a Faucet Aerator
First of all, dismantle the aerator following the procedure stated above. And if you have any channel-lock pliers, things will become much easier for you.
However, you should be careful while using any tool as aggressive motions can damage the structure.
Step Two – Check for Debris
Once you have Removed a Faucet Aerator, check the faucet for any minerals or debris using your little finger. You can also use a flat-head screwdriver for this task.
Step Three – Wash the Aerator
Now disassemble the aerator and rinse it well to remove the pollutants. If you see any blocked holes, you can use a needle, paperclip, or toothpick to get rid of the gunk.
Step Four – Deep Clean the Parts
Take some vinegar in a small bowl and pour vinegar on it. Then soak the aerator for deep cleansing. The vinegar will dissolve all the mineral buildup.
Step Five – Rinse Everything
After soaking the parts, rinse them under running water. Then reassemble the aerator in the correct order.
Final Step – Reattach the Aerator
Now screw the aerator back into the faucet and tighten it as much as you can. Then turn on the water and check for leaks. If you think it needs more tightening, you can use a pair of pliers.
Wrap Up
The process of cleaning an aerator may seem complicated at first. But once you start doing this on your own, the maintenance cost will be automatically reduced.
So now that you know how to remove the faucet aerator without a wrench, hopefully, things will be effortless from today. And you will get one step closer to being self-dependent, isn’t that amazing?
