Quck answer
To remove hidden aerators in Delta faucets, follow these steps:
1. Turn off the water supply to the faucet.
2. Locate the aerator at the tip of the faucet head.
3. Use a pair of pliers to grip the aerator and turn it counterclockwise.
4. If the aerator is stuck, try using a rubber jar opener or wrap a cloth around the aerator for a better grip.
5. Once the aerator is loose, unscrew it completely by hand.
6. Clean the aerator by soaking it in vinegar or using a brush to remove any debris.
7. Rinse the aerator thoroughly and screw it back onto the faucet head in a clockwise direction.
8. Turn on the water supply and check for any leaks.
By following these steps, you can easily remove and clean hidden aerators in Delta faucets to improve water flow and prevent clogs.
If the water from your faucet comes out in small bubbles, it means that the faucet has an aerator. If you can’t see the aerator at the end of the spout, it is a cache aerator. The name suggests that the aerator is hidden inside the faucet spout, and if you need to remove it, which is necessary from time to time, you cannot do it with a wrench. The cache aerator is a common feature on Delta faucets, so to perform a basic repair on a Delta faucet, you require a tool to remove the aerator.
Delta produces a key specifically designed for removing a Delta faucet aerator, and you can also purchase a third-party key that works on most faucets available, including Delta faucets. If you do not have a key, you may want to try to find an object that you already have which can do the job instead of waiting for a key to be delivered to you, in true do-it-yourself style. Several tools and utensils can accomplish the task, but you might not need any of them.
What is the Purpose of the Aerator?
As the name suggests, an aerator adds oxygen to the water that comes out of the spout while saving water by reducing the flow, and it achieves this through a very simple mechanism. The opposite side of the aerator, which is the part inside the faucet, is covered in numerous tiny holes. When water passes through one of these holes, the pressure increases. Consequently, instead of a slow stream of water from the spout, you get a strong, refreshing spray.
The holes that restrict the flow are protected by a screen, which can accumulate mineral deposits and eventually decrease the flow to a trickle. Cleaning the screens and, if necessary, the entire aerator is easy, but to do so, you must remove it first.
It’s Simple With a Key
If you place a mirror under the faucet spout, you will be able to see that an inset Delta faucet aerator has a series of notches around its outer edge. Delta manufactures a cylindrical plastic tool that fits inside the spout and aligns with these notches, enabling you to unscrew the aerator by turning the key.
Third-party manufacturers sell similar keys of various sizes joined together in a cross-shaped tool, but the most innovative key of all is a flat one with two pairs of evenly spaced protrusions on the ends. This key, produced by Zurn, is widely available online and costs less than $2. If you have a faucet with a cache aerator, you will need one of these keys.
Removing a Cache Aerator Without a Key
Before you start rummaging through your drawers to find a flat object that is just wide enough to fit into the aerator and catch onto the notches, try turning the aerator with your fingers. It is likely that the person who installed it did not have a key either and simply tightened it by hand. If you are unable to turn it, put on a rubber glove to give yourself a better grip and try again.
If a tool becomes necessary, attempt to use a knife from your kitchen drawer. A flat-head screwdriver will probably work as well if you insert the tip into one of the notches and push. Tapping the screwdriver with a hammer will loosen the grip of mineral deposits that may be causing the aerator to stick.
If you encounter a stubborn cache aerator, you can also utilize a set of needle-nose pliers. To do so, begin by opening the jaws of the pliers. Then, hook the tips of the pliers into the notches on the aerator and proceed to rotate the aerator in a counterclockwise direction.
