You’ve heard the term before – aerator.  You know there’s one kind that can create small holes in your lawn to air it out and make it easier to accept lime, fertilizer, and weed killer.  You also know that an “air rater” is not someone who, um, rates air quality.  People do that, they’re just not called air raters.

Have we left anything out?  Oh yeah, the other kind of aerator – the kind that attaches to a faucet aerators to conserve water without reducing pressure.  Would you like to see how? Then ready on.

Faucet Aerators

An aerator, a low-tech disc-like screen, screws onto the tip of a kitchen or bathroom faucet.  It adds air into the water causing it to exit in a parade of tiny droplets instead of a stream.  An aerator also limits the flow of the faucet by narrowing its width. This, with the injection of air, greatly reduces water consumption, and thereby waste. Contrary to popular belief, today’s aerators still deliver a steady flow of water; you won’t notice a difference in performance. But you will see a reduction in water usage and cost.

How to Choose a Faucet Aerator

Consider flow rate.  Choosing an aerator is not a one size fits all proposition.  Different aerators are designed to generate different flow rates, and the ideal flow rate depends on how you use each faucet.  For activities such as washing dishes, look for a flow rate between 1 and 1.5 GPM (gallons per minute).  In the bathroom you can go a bit lower, between .5 and 1 GPM.  However, there are no hard and fast rules; it all depends on your family’s preference and usage.

Factor in aerator size and design.  Because faucet tips vary in size, so must aerators.  Aerators also differ in how they screw onto a faucet.  Plus, they differ in their style of water output, such as traditional, columnar jet, a diffused spray, and so on.

Aerator Maintenance

Like most other functional items in your home, aerators aren’t made to last forever. Still, proper maintenance will help ensure an uninterrupted flow of water. The typical aerator consists of three main parts: mounting runs, a screen, and a water flow restrictor. It’s the last two that can become clogged over time, resulting in reduced water pressure.  In fact, if you notice reduced pressure from a faucet, check the aerator. It could be clogged with gunk or past its prime. Try wiping away any build-up, and if that doesn’t solve the problem, unscrew the aerator from the tip of the faucet and clean or replace it with a new one.

Would you like to know what else?  First, you don’t need PC Plumbing, Heating, AC & Remodeling to install or replace an aerator.  But you might just need us for faucet repair, replacement, or any other kitchen or bathroom plumbing need.  That’s just part of what we’re here for – and all you need to do is call.