What Is a Faucet Aerator? Purpose and How It Looks

If you've ever unscrewed the end of a kitchen or bathroom faucet—or felt inside with your finger—you might have discovered the faucet aerator. A faucet aerator looks like a small end piece for the faucet with a mesh screen disk. Find out the aerator's many valuable purposes and why you usually don't want a faucet without an aerator.

How Do I Know if My Faucet Has an Aerator?

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. Today, faucet aerators are standard components on nearly all kitchen and bathroom sinks. However, you can also purchase separate faucet aerators and install them on faucets that are lacking or have broken aerators.

As the faucet aerator usually comes assembled, it only needs to be screwed onto the end of the faucet. So if there's already something screwed onto the end of your faucet and it has a mesh disk, you have an aerator. Some aerators also have a disk with a hole in the center to act as a flow restrictor, allowing you to save water.

What Is a Faucet Aerator's Purpose?

Removing the aerator and tapping it out upside-down might release some grit or scale. While an aerator does filter sediment, this is not its main purpose. Rather, a faucet aerator improves the flow of water and helps it feel softer by introducing small bubbles. It also:

• Creates a wider stream of water
• Lessens water splashing in the basin
• Helps save water by making flow more productive
• Can additionally save water when a flow-restrictor aerator is installed
• Can activate soap faster due to the small water bubbles, saving both soap and water
• Gives drinking water a lighter, fresher taste

An aerator is not necessary and can even be counterproductive on some exterior faucets (such as for garden hoses), shower and bathtub faucets, or clothes washer water supply faucets. In those cases, you don't need the lighter water stream that the aerator provides.

How to Replace a Faucet Aerator

Faucet aerators range in cost but often can be found for less than $10. If you need to replace your aerator, you can do so with only two simple tools: pliers and a towel. Tongue-and-groove pliers (Channellock is one such brand) are the best type for this project. The towel should be small because you will be using it as a protective device when applying the pliers to the faucet aerator.

1. Clean the Faucet

   With the towel, clean the inside thread of the faucet.

2. Check the Aerator

   Ensure that the aerator is fully assembled. A faucet aerator must have the washer in place to prevent leakage.

3. Position the Aerator

   Place the aerator into the end of the faucet until the threads catch.

4. Screw on the Aerator

   Manually screw the aerator clockwise firmly into the faucet.

5. Tighten the Faucet Aerator

   Wrap the towel around the faucet aerator, and tighten with the wrench.

6. Test the Faucet

   Turn the water on full volume to test.

   Tip

   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.

How to Clean a Faucet Aerator

How often you clean your faucet aerator depends on how much debris is in your pipes and water. If your water flow suddenly seems slow, check to see whether the aerator needs cleaning. And even if your water flow is satisfactory, you should clean the aerator at least 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. 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, and turn on the water to test.