DIY: Repairing a Clogged Bathroom Faucet
I figured it was clogged with calcium buildup, so I tried unscrewing the little metal ring on the water faucet that holds the mechanism through which the water is supposed to flow, not trickle, thinking that it would be an easy task. However, I couldn’t get the ring to turn. Even with my lack of mechanical expertise, I know the whole turn counter-clockwise to loosen rule, so I couldn’t figure out what the problem could be.
I will be the first to admit I’m not very mechanically inclined. I don’t have the patience or the confidence to stick with a repair if it’s not straight forward, especially if there is any chance of getting in over my head and not being able to put something back together that I have taken apart.
In many cases, I will even let my 8-year-old son try his hand at the repair before I attempt to do it myself. He somehow acquired the mechanical aptitude gene at birth that skipped right over me. In a perfect world, I would exploit his skills and never pay for another repair. However, this isn’t a perfect world or nothing would ever be broken and in need of repair. Additionally, my son’s mechanical expertise is limited due to his young age. In situations like these, I consult the next best thing – Google. I searched for a resolution of the problem in Google to see if I could locate instructions on how to perform the repair.
I ended up resorting to the Google option for this most recent faucet repair. I entered “low-water pressure due to calcium deposits bathroom sink” in the search engine and Google provided me with the information I needed. If you are having a similar problem with the water flow of your faucets, here is what you can do to resolve the issue on your own without having to call a plumber.
I was happy to know that the online instructions confirmed I wasn’t a complete idiot. I had the right idea, but I was missing a few important things.
Removing the Aerator. For instance, the part which I was trying to remove and unclog is called the aerator, not the “mechanism through which the water is supposed to flow.” See, I already sound like I know what I’m doing, which apparently I did not because by consulting the Googled instructions, I discovered, it is true that you turn counter-clockwise to loosen the aerator if you are trying to make the repair from below. However, if you are standing above the faucet looking down on it as you remove it, which I was, you turn it clockwise. This is why I was having trouble removing the piece. Once I understood this little bit of information, everything else was easy.
Usually, the aerators are only hand tightened so they can be removed without the use of pliers. However, if there is a large amount of buildup, like there was in my case, you may have to carefully use pliers to remove the part. You can protect the aerator with a rag so the pliers don’t damage it as you turn.
If the pliers don’t loosen the aerator, adjust them a quarter turn and try loosening it from this position. You can alternate between this position and the regular position to loosen it. Be careful not to apply too much force to the aerator or it may damage it and make it more difficult to remove. When you get the aerator loosened, you should be able to unscrew it the rest of the way by hand.
Cleaning the Build-up. Once you have removed the aerator, clean out the buildup with your finger or by running water through it. Running the water through the faucet after the aerator is removed will clear out any buildup in the faucet. You can also place the aerator in vinegar overnight to ensure that the buildup is more thoroughly removed.
Replace the aerator by tightening it by hand first. If necessary, you can use pliers to make it a little bit tighter. Don’t forget to use a rag to protect the aerator as you tighten. Turn on the faucet and the water pressure should be back to a normal flow instead of a trickle.
When you’ve made a repair like this yourself, even with the assistance of online instructions, you will be able to tackle the repair on your own the next time you are faced with it. You may also find having this new skill boosts your confidence to try future repairs on your own. Before you know it, you may be able to make all types of repairs around the house without the aid of your mechanically inclined child or having to call a professional repairman.
