Top 5 Common Reasons Why Your Kitchen Sink Sprayer Isn't Working
Even though many homeowners take their kitchen sink sprayer for granted, they come to realize its importance when it’s not working properly. The good news is that a malfunctioning sink sprayer is very rarely a job for a qualified plumber and repairing it is actually simpler than you think. The key to a successful sink sprayer repair resides in properly diagnosing the problems that can arise. Let’s explore the most common causes of its improper functioning.
- Broken diverter
Because it is responsible for splitting the water flow so that it also reaches the faucet, the diverter can be consider the core of the sink sprayer. In the event that this crucial part is clogged or damaged, then you will immediately notice a significantly reduced water flow or worse, the water won’t flow at all. In case the diverted is clogged, the issue can be remedied by cleaning it. However, if it is damaged then you will need to replace it.
- Damaged hose
As the sink sprayer is constantly stretched and twisted, it is only normal that the hose will suffers splits, kinks and tears after a while. In general, you can tell the hose is damaged when you notice the water pressure drops all of a sudden. While minor tears can be repaired with sealants and caulking, in case of extensive damage you have no other choice but to replace it with a new hose.
- Loose or dented fixtures
In the event that some of the fixtures become loose, the water can escape at the wrong locations and hence, you’ll be dealing with a messy leak. In addition to leaks, a further indicator of a loose-fitting fixture is reduced water pressure – as the water escaped through the leak, there is very little left in the hose to reach the faucet. More often than not, you can easily address this problem by tightening all fasteners. If tightening the bolts and screws doesn’t solve the low water pressure and leaks, then you should consider wrapping some PTFE tape around the fasteners.
- Improper maintenance
Given the composition of tap water, any part of the sink sprayer that is exposed to the liquid is liable to suffer from clogs due to debris and mineral deposits, especially if you’re not maintaining the equipment on a regular basis. Addressing poor functionality issues resulting from debris doesn’t involve more than a thorough cleaning of the sink sprayer. On a side note, if standard cleaning with mild soap and water doesn’t do much, you should try dissembling the sprayer and cleaning the relevant parts with white vinegar or scrubbing the deposits with a toothbrush.
- Normal wear and tear
Although it happens very rarely, it is possible that a damaged nut or other fasteners that connect the sprayer to the sink could be enough to prevent the equipment from working properly. Since the damage is not always visible, it is recommended to take the unit apart and inspect all parts, especially the washers. Replace them if necessary and remember to apply PTFE tape on the remaining fasteners to prevent future leakages.
About the Author
Started my career in the fastener world in 1969 at, Parker Kalon Corp. a NJ based screw manufacturer located in Clifton, NJ working in inventory control, scheduling secondary production and concluding there in purchasing. In 1971 I accepted a sales position at Star Stainless Screw Co., Totowa, NJ working in inside sales and later as an outside salesman, having a successful career at Star I had the desire with a friend to start our own fastener distribution company in 1980 named: Divspec, Kenilworth, NJ. This was a successful adventure but ended in 1985 with me starting Melfast in August 1985 and have stayed competitive and successful to date. Melfast serves the OEM market with approximately 400 accounts nationally.
