Your faucet is having flow issues, so you decide to remove the aerator to eliminate mineral deposits from your list of potential culprits. However, when you go to start the process, you discover your faucet has a recessed aerator. The worst part? You have absolutely no clue where the tiny plastic key went.
Key Points:
- Most faucets have an aerator that can be removed, but some brands feature an integrated version that is nearly impossible to remove.
- Cache aerators are hidden in the faucet spout, and a special key may be needed to access it.
- If a key is not available, rubber gloves, towels, hammers, flat head screwdrivers, pliers, or WD-40 can be used to help remove the aerator.
So, now what? The key is nowhere to be found, and the aerator needs to come out. Is it possible to remove the aerator without a key? Lucky for you, it’s not very time consuming and a relatively simple process (usually). Continue reading to learn more!
Do All Faucets Have Removable Aerators?
Although most faucets have removable aerators, this isn’t true of every faucet. Some faucet brands incorporate an integrated aerator within the spout or spray head, making removing it nearly impossible. However, most faucets feature an aerator that is relatively easy to remove.
Threaded Aerators
This type of aerator is straightforward to remove. It features a threaded design that enables users to screw it onto the end of the faucet spout. The aerator sits in plain view at the end of the tap, making it easy to remove and reinstall. You simply grasp the aerator and gently rotate it to unscrew it from the end of the spout.
These aerators are standard on bathroom faucets and kitchen faucets without pull-down or pull-out designs.
Cache Aerators
This type of aerator, also known as a recessed aerator, is often the trickiest to remove. It hides out of view inside the end of the faucet’s spout. When you buy a faucet with a cache aerator, you’ll get a special key that allows you to access the screen inside the spout.
The key usually features a rounded shape with tiny grooves that catch onto the aerator and allow you to unthread it without an issue. You simply insert the tool into the end of the spout, line it up with the notches in the aerator, and unthread the aerator. Once it’s loose, the aerator will fall out of the tap.
Alternative Styles
If you have a pull-down or pull-out faucet with a sprayer, your faucet might not have either of the above aerators. In many cases, these faucets feature an aerator on the face of the spray head. With the help of your fingers or an Allen wrench (or any similarly shaped tool), you can quickly unthread the aerator.
These aerators usually feature a flat design that sits against the face of the spray head. There are notches in the edges of the aerator with a notch running from one end to the other, which allows you to fit a tool against the spray face and unthread the aerator.
How Do You Remove A Hidden Faucet Aerator Without A Tool?
If your kitchen faucet has a hidden aerator and the tool is nowhere to be found, there are a few ways you can remove it. Sometimes, the aerator is corroded and needs a bit more help (hello, WD-40), so you might need to enlist the help of a few things to remove it. Here’s what you might need:
- Rubber glove
- Towel or cloth
- Hammer
- Flat-head screwdriver
- Pliers
- White vinegar
- W-40
- Small bowl
- Dish soap
- Old toothbrush
- Piece of Cloth
Use Your Fingers
Sometimes, you can remove a recessed aerator by simply using your hands. So, if you don’t have the special tool on hand, try using your fingers to dislodge the tiny screen. If you have large hands or thick fingers, this method might not work, as the spout might not give you enough room to work.
However, if you have the space, start by drying off your hands. Use a towel to dab water from the inside of the spout, as that can affect your grip. Then, reach into the spout with one or two fingers and find the grooves.
Use your nails to get leverage (be careful not to damage them) and gently push against the aerator, attempting to turn it counterclockwise. Once it loosens, finish unthreading it with your fingers and remove it.
Enlist The Help Of A Rubber Glove
Try using a rubber glove if you can’t get a good grip with your bare hands. Sometimes, this will give you the small amount of traction you need to dislodge the aerator from its spot. So, slip your hand into a rubber glove and try removing the aerator. Push firmly on the aerator to turn it counterclockwise.
Use A Flathead Screwdriver
Using your fingers to unthread the aerator might not work for everyone, especially if you have large hands. So, if that’s the case, enlist the help of a flathead screwdriver. Choose a smaller flathead screwdriver and carefully insert it into the end of the spout.
Fit the end of the screwdriver against a groove in the aerator, then use a hammer to tap the end of the screwdriver. Ensure the screwdriver is angled to allow you to tap the aerator counterclockwise.
Avoid tapping too hard on the end of the screwdriver, as this could cause damage. However, you’ll need to tap firmly, as mineral deposits can build up and cause the aerator to “freeze.” A firm tap will help break and dislodge the bond between the mineral deposits and the aerator.
Once the aerator loosens, use your hands to unscrew it completely (continue using the screwdriver if you can’t use your hands). Alternatively, you can use a pair of pliers to grab the aerator for easy removal once it loosens.
Bust The Rust With Vinegar Or WD-40
While a solid tap from a hammer and a screwdriver should offer enough force to loosen the aerator, it doesn’t always work. Instead of damaging the inside of your faucet by tapping more aggressively, enlist the help of vinegar or WD-40.
Vinegar will help dislodge stubborn mineral deposits, and WD-40 will break the bond between rusted spots and the aerator. So, use a spray bottle to spray vinegar inside the spout. Or, if rust is the problem, use the straw on a WD-40 can to spritz the liquid into the faucet.
Give the vinegar or WD-40 10-15 minutes to work, then retry the removal process with the hammer and screwdriver. If the aerator refuses to budge, reapply the vinegar or WD-40 and wait another 10-15 minutes. In some cases, you might need to wait longer for the solution to work its magic. So, if nothing gives, try waiting an hour or two before retrying.
Buy A Generic Tool
If all else fails, you can buy an inexpensive cache aerator tool from your local home improvement or hardware store. While the branded cache aerator tool is ideal, many knock-offs will do the trick. So, if you can’t get a good grip on the aerator, try a generic aerator tool from your local home improvement store.
Sometimes, the extra grooves to push on the aerator are all you need to remove it!
Clean It Up
While you have the aerator out of the faucet, it doesn’t hurt to clean it up. There’s a good chance that this was your intention after removing it, but if it wasn’t, clean it up before you put it back in the faucet.
Use dish soap, warm water, and an old toothbrush to remove dirt and debris. Soak the entire aerator in vinegar for a few hours or overnight to remove mineral deposits. Once it’s clean, rinse the aerator with fresh water and reinstall it in the faucet.