Why Faucet Aerators are Important

Faucet aerators are useful devices for reducing the volume of water that flows from your faucet. Some aerators can give you the high-pressure flow that is desired while conserving water and saving money on utility bills. You may wonder if aerators are essential in a home. You can get by without them, but these handy little devices can make huge improvements. If you’re unfamiliar with aerators and their benefits, here is a guide to provide you with everything you need to know about why faucet aerators are important.

What is a faucet aerator and why are they necessary?

A faucet aerator is a small component that goes on the end of a faucet. Most of them are tiny mesh screens that are easy to install and maintain in the kitchen, bathroom, and other faucets. Danco explains that the design of the mesh screens causes the flow of water to be broken into many small streams that are infused with air in between them. The combining of additional air in the water results in less water volume without sacrificing pressure. The extra air that is infused into the water flow helps you to maintain the pressure while it reduces the amount of water that is needed to achieve the same level of pressure.

Why should I install faucet aerators?

Conserving water is a socially responsible action that can help to cut down on the levels of wastewater produced. If you use city water, it can significantly reduce the amount of water that you use in the home and it can lower your water bills. You not only save money, but you’re also doing your part to join in the conservation efforts to improve the health and well-being of the planet.

Are all faucet aerators the same?

Faucet aerators come in various sizes, styles, and models. They’re not all the same, but Aerators come in a choice of male and female threads, various sizes, styles, and aerators made for multiple different uses. We briefly cover each of these differences to help you know how to choose the right faucet aerator. Check the threads on the faucet you want to equip with an aerator. If it is a faucet with threads on the outside it is a male aerator and it requires a female aerator to math. If the threads are on the inside it is a female faucet that requires a male aerator. The size of your faucet determines the size of the aerator you’ll need. The sizes are the junior size and regular The junior is 13/16″ for the male or 3/4″ for the female, and the regular size measures 15/16″ for the male and 55/64″ for the female.

Different styles of aerators and uses

The three styles of aerators are Aerated. Spray and Laminar. The Aerated style of aerator is a standard spray of water mixed with air. The Spray style of the aerator makes a mini shower spray. Laminar-style aerators create solid water streams. Different types of aerators restrict water flow at various levels. For example, standard aerators produce 2.2 gallons of water per minute. Other kinds may offer gallon-per-minute rates from 0.5 to 2.2 gallons per minute. Aerators can save between two to sixteen gallons of water daily, depending on how often you use water in the home.

Do aerators require maintenance?

You must regularly maintain faucet aerators to prevent clogging with debris as time goes by. The small mesh screen may be either metal or plastic. You can visually inspect the aerator or unscrew it from the faucet. A simple rinse under high pressure is usually good enough to clean out any small deposits that collect on the screen. If the aerator has not been cleaned for a while, it may have buildups of hardware minerals, bacteria, silt, or other debris. If the aerator appears dirty, you can soak it in a solution of equal parts of vinegar and water for several hours to loosen and remove mineral deposits and eliminate bacterial growth. Rinse the aerators after cleaning with vinegar to remove residual debris. Check and clean the aerators on your faucets approximately every six months. Another method of cleaning aerators is to unscrew them from the faucets, and gently tap them on the surface of a counter, then rinse them. It’s not a difficult process, but it can make a difference in the performance of your faucet aerators.

What to do if the screen becomes damaged?

If the screen in your faucet aerator becomes damaged, it may be time to replace the device. Faucet aerators usually last for years, but they can wear out over time or become damaged while cleaning. They’re easy and inexpensive to replace. Failure to replace a damaged aerator can result in an ineffective water flow, spraying, splashing, and increased water use. You could lose the savings if the faucet aerator screen is damaged. Denver Water confirms that regular cleaning of small faucet aerators can improve the water service and even reduce your risk of lead exposure.

Other benefits of faucet aerators

Faucet aerators not only reduce the amount of water you use but can also increase your water pressure and help maintain water pressure. They also help shape the stream of the water to make it more effective for its intended purpose. They can also prevent the water from splashing, and the screens can help to catch lead particles and debris that can be present in water supplies. Faucet aerators are small devices that can make a big difference in the quality of your water flow and the purity of the water. If there has been recent construction in your home like a replaced water line, the aerators can help filter out any debris that fell off the pipes into the water supply during the construction. You may even notice that the quality of the flavor of the water improves with a lighter and fresher taste. It may also cause soap bubbles to activate faster and rinse the skin more thoroughly in a shower.

Do I need an aerator on every faucet?

Aerators are not necessary on any faucets, but on some, they help improve productivity. They may not be the best option for outside garden hoses, bathtub faucets, or water faucets that supply clothes washers. They can be counterproductive for some of these applications.

How do you replace an aerator?

Faucet aerators are easy to install and take out. You will need a towel and a pair of pliers. Channellock pliers or tongue and groove are the best. To replace the aerator, remove the old aerator, then use the towel to clean the inside faucet thread. Put the washer in place for the new faucet aerator to stop any leaks. Place the aerator onto the faucet end and screw until the threads line up and catch. Continue manually screwing the aerator onto the faucet in a clockwise direction until it is firm. Avoid overtightening. Turn on the water to test and check for any leaks.