Moen Kitchen Faucet Aerator: An Ultimate Guide

Like many other companies, Moen has become very popular for its unique and versatile kitchen and bathroom fixtures designs. The company also ensures efficiency by providing you with the right tools to make your repairing task much unchallenging. Tools include faucet aerator removal tool, faucet removal tool, cartridge puller, etc.

You can find any replacement or repairing parts of a specific company from any hardware store. These parts include the faucet aerators too. No matter if you are planning to replace them with the new one or fixing the existing aerator.

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Let us have a look at what aerators do and how do they work. An aerator is a small piece at the end of the faucet from where the water comes out. It breaks the solid water stream into multiple tiny streams and adds air to give the feel of high pressure. Therefore, you will not feel any difference that you are using less amount of water. Adding air to the water stream is its objective. That is why it can save up to 30 percent more water than normal usage.

You use the faucet all over the day. At night, it remains unused. The water droplets left on the faucet ends start to evaporate and leaves behind the mineral residue. That residue increases over time and tends to clog the aerator.

When you notice a sudden pressure decrease in water or the outflow is uneven, the reason could be the clogged aerator. Also, the buildup can spread around the faucet ends and makes it even harder to remove the aerator at the time of repair. It can ruin the look of the whole fitting too.

Cleaning the aerator after a certain period makes it work perfectly. By doing this simple step, you do not have to change the aerator more frequently. Just take off the aerator by twisting it and when it comes off. Clean it with a stiff brush to dust off the mineral residue from the net screen. For cleaning the faucet, use a lime dissolver or try brushing it with a stiff bristle to clean. This step will not cost you any money and will save your fixture.

However, if the aerator is not functioning appropriately due to corrosion, you can replace it with the new one. Most people do not pay much attention, so they call the plumber and pay for this easy task. Follow the guide below to clean and repair the Moen kitchen faucet aerator.

Moen faucet aerators come in different sizes. Most of them are of specific categories such as vandal-proof aerators, low flow aerators, or lime-proof aerators. You can choose from various finishing of aerators according to your faucet. Moen makes sure to provide a wide variety of functionality of aerators. A few of the aerators are as follow:

The types of streams depend on their outflow style. You can choose from the laminar stream, spray or shower stream, and aerated stream. The most common of them are aerated streams for residential areas. Its outflow is soft to touch and whitish. Also, there will be less splashing while washing hands around the sink.

A laminar stream It is a non-aerated stream suitable for high flow usage. It has smooth, non-splashing, and fuller water flow. It does not add air to the water streams.

Whereas spray or shower stream creates a small shower pattern of outflow, it gives the sense of fullness. It is usually a perfect choice in the areas where the water flow rate is pretty low and, you cannot install aerated or laminar streams.

Low Flow Aerators Are you conscious of the water bills? Well, standard aerators decrease the bills by using 30% less water. But there are also low-volume aerators available in the market. Most standard aerators allow 2.2 gallons per minute of outflow from the faucet but, low-flow aerators bear a minimum of 0.5 gallons per minute. It is a considerable choice for washing purposes. However, it will take you longer to fill the pot as it has a low flow rate.

As its name suggests, its swivel functionality helps the water stream to reach every corner of your kitchen sink. You can move its head as per your need. The flow rate, finishing, and various stream patterns also go along with this swivel aerator.

There is a wide range of faucets designs with different finishes such as gold, chrome, black, bronze, nickel, and stainless provided by Moen. Choose the one matching your current fittings.

While replacing the aerator, make sure you buy the right size as it most probably will be one of three sizes. To determine the aerator size which you require for replacement. You will need a nickel and a dime. After removing the aerator from the spout, place a nickel on top of it. If the nickel sits perfectly then, it is regular size. Use a dime if nickel does not fit on your aerator. If the dime goes inside the aerator, then it is junior size aerator. And if it remains on top of the aerator, then tom thumb aerator will fit perfectly to your spout.

Further, identify the threads of your aerator, whether it is male or female. Some of them come with dual functionality because they have chords on both sides, inside and outside. Unscrew the aerator and check if it has threads on the inside it is female. And if it has chords on the outside, then it is a male aerator. Male spout goes with female threaded aerator and, female nozzle goes with male threaded aerator.

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After determining all of the previous factors, you can easily buy a new aerator to replace it. You can unscrew the aerator by hand and, it can come off effortlessly if it is newly fitted. But if it is old and stuck, then you can use pliers. Once the aerator is separated, install the new aerator. Do not over tight or keep it loose, so it will not cause any problem in the future.