When you turn on the faucet, you expect a nice, steady, and even flow. You get that flow if you have a good aerator. While aerators may not be necessary for exterior faucets such as garden hoses, or shower or bathtub faucets, they are a must for sinks.
An aerator introduces small bubbles into the water to prevent splashing and use less water. A faucet with an aerator can use up to 30% less water than a faucet without one. This of course can reduce your water bill.
But aerators have a limited life span and should be replaced every few years. This of course can vary based upon the quality of the water and how often the faucet is used. You can also tell you have a problem if the water from your faucet is trickling out or just coming out of one side. This could also mean your aerator is clogged and you could clean it. But aerators are so inexpensive (no more than $10) and simple to replace (five to 10 minutes) it may be just as easy to replace it.
Here is what you need to do.
- Unscrew the aerator either by hand or using a wrench or socket wrench.
- Take it to the hardware store to make sure you get the identically sized and configured replacement.
- Screw in the new aerator. Use a wrench or socket wrench to tighten it.
- Turn on the water to make sure it does not leak and that you have a steady and even flow.
