What Is a Sink Aerator? Its Purpose and How to Replace It (2024)

A faucet aerator on a sink looks and feels like a mesh screen disk. The purpose of an aerator is to conserve water while using the faucet longer, and without it, a stream of water can flow faster and more freely. Sink aerators are standard components on nearly all kitchen and bathroom faucets, but like any other piece of equipment, they need to be maintained every once in a while.

Aerators need to be removed and cleanedevery six months to prevent the buildup of hard water, lead, small particles, and other bits of residue from getting into your water. You might need to replace your aerator if your water pressure is low, if the water is misdirected, or if it cannot be unclogged. Keep reading to learn the benefits of a faucet aerator, the different types you can use, plus, how to clean and replace it.

The Purpose of Faucet Aerators

One common misconception is that the sink aerator is a filter. Removing the aerator might release some grit or scale, but filtration is not its main purpose. An aerator serves to regulate water pressure and control the amount of water when the faucet is in use. If there's already something screwed onto the end of your faucet and it has a mesh disk, you have an aerator (you can also purchase faucet aerators separately if need be). Some aerators also have a disk with a hole in the center to act as a flow restrictor, allowing you to save water.

Faucet aerators first entered homes in the late 1940s as add-on devices that would reduce splashing and help water taste better by introducing oxygen. The idea for a sink aerator came about when serial inventor Elie Aghnides observed water bubbling from a waterfall and wondered why that water tasted and felt so good. The answer: air.

Types of Faucet Aerators

There are several types of faucet aerators to choose from, but before you replace it, determine which type you have. Aerators usually come in two sizes: regular (the size of a quarter) and junior (the size of a nickel). For smaller aerators that are the size of a dime, you will need what is called a Tom Thumb aerator. Aerators also have different threads. If your faucet has exterior threads, it is male, and if it has interior threads, then it is female. Below, learn more about different types of faucet aerators.

• Aerated stream: This type of aerator introduces air into the water stream, which creates a larger white stream that does not splash in the sink basin and is common in residential homes.
• Laminar stream: A laminar stream aerator allows for a straight, non-aerated stream, which is ideal for high-flow faucets and is common in hospitals.
• Multiple Laminar: This type of aerator is used when you want to create a shower spray pattern, typical of low-flow faucets that initially do not provide enough water coverage when washing.
  

How to Clean a Faucet Aerator

Clean the sink aerator once or twice a year to maintain water freshness. Here's how:

1. Close the sink stopper to avoid losing parts down the drain.
2. Remove the faucet aerator, and place it on a clean towel.
3. Take the aerator apart if possible.
4. If clogged, soak the aerator in white vinegar (or CLR) for an hour.
5. Remove the vinegar, and rinse with fresh water.
6. Replace the aerator on the faucet.
7. Turn on the water to test.

How to Replace a Sink Aerator

Faucet aerators usually cost less than $10. Replace a sink aerator with pliers and a towel.

1. Clean the Faucet

   Clean the inside thread of the faucet with the towel.

   

2. Check the Aerator

   Before installation, ensure that the aerator is fully assembled. A faucet aerator must have the washer in place to prevent leakage.

   

3. Position and Screw on the Aerator

   Place the aerator into the end of the faucet until the threads catch. Manually screw the aerator clockwise firmly into the faucet.
   

   

4. Tighten the Sink Aerator

   Wrap the towel around the faucet aerator. Tighten the aerator with the wrench.

   

5. Test the Faucet

   Turn the water on full volume to test. If water comes out around the aerator, it might not be tight enough. But avoid tightening the aerator too much, or you risk stripping the threads on both the faucet and aerator.

   

Where Not to Install a Sink Aerator

An aerator is not necessary and can even be counterproductive in some applications:

• Exterior faucets
• Garden hoses
• Shower faucets
• Bathtub faucets
• Clothes washer water supply faucets

In these cases, you don't need the lighter water stream that the aerator provides. Also, the sink aerator will limit the flow of water, when the maximum flow of water is desired.