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If you have a kitchen faucet with a pull-out head, you’ll know how useful and versatile they are, providing a whole new level of flexibility for rinsing, washing, or any other kitchen tasks. Unfortunately, as with any appliance with several moving parts, they are susceptible to faults and wear and tear.
Whether you’re considering installing one, or you’re fed up with these 6 common pull-out spray kitchen faucet problems you’ve been experiencing, we’ve got some great tips and advice on how to solve some common issues.
We’ve also got a handy FAQ section below so don’t forget to check that out for some additional info about your pull-out faucet. But first, let’s take a look at what pull-out kitchen faucets are and their pros and cons.
What Is A Pull-Out Spray Kitchen Faucet?
A pull-out kitchen faucet has a spout on the tap that you can pull out, allowing you to aim the water all around the sink. They are very handy for washing large kitchen items such as stockpots, or for reaching areas that a regular faucet can’t. Even better, they’re not only functional but very stylish too!
Many people think of them as something you’d only see in a professional kitchen, but they’re becoming very popular in home kitchens too. This is great news for budding home chefs as they make life much easier.
When not in use, the hose and spray head sits neatly and discreetly in the tap. But when you need it, it simply pulls out where you can use it for tons of tasks, from washing fruit and vegetables to cleaning hard-to-reach areas of your sink.
They can also be used for filling up buckets, pots, or pans without the arduous task of heaving them in and out of your sink.
6 Most Common Pull Out Spray Kitchen Faucet Problems
1. The Faucet Is Failing To Retract
The first of a few pull-out spray kitchen faucet problems you may experience is the faucet not retracting. This is a very common problem you may have. If your sprayer doesn’t retract, you’ll typically have to push it back in by hand, and this can be a fiddly job.
During the manufacturing process, pull-out hoses have an extra weight attached to them which means they retract because of gravity. If the hose won’t retract, it may be because this weight has detached and it needs checking. Or, it might be that the hose is quite old and it’s starting to stick to the side of the faucet.
The Solution
If your spray head is refusing to retract, the first thing you’ll need to do is check under your kitchen sink to see if the hose is still connected to the faucet. If it isn’t, you can reposition it so it’s in the right place. Simply move the weight up and down so the hose is where you want it to be.
If the spray hose is tangled up with the water pipe valve, you can move the valve up and down to untangle the hose. If the weight is the issue, you can adjust it or add another spray hose weight to the faucet using a screwdriver.
2. Diverted Valve is Clogged
A clogged diverter valve can be a big problem with pull-out faucets because, without the diverter valve, the water can’t get to the hose from the faucet spout. Whenever you turn the faucet on, hot or cold water goes into the hose and flows into the faucet while the diverter directs it to the sprayer head.
When you use your faucet a lot, the valve can quickly become clogged with mineral deposits, rendering it useless. A clogged diverter valve can also lead to low water pressure and other problems with the water supply.
If you aren’t sure where the diverted valve is, check out our guide on the different parts of a faucet.
The Solution
If you’re experiencing this issue, start by turning the water valves off before unscrewing the water handle with a flat screwdriver. Once you’ve done that, remove the handle so the faucet cap is exposed. Then, turn the cap anti-clockwise.
Take out the exposed cap so you can see the faucet ball, then remove this as well. Once you’ve done that, you can remove the spout by shifting it backward and forwards until it comes loose.
After that, examine the front of the faucet stem to find the valve so you can remove it. Once you’ve taken it out, give it a clean with vinegar to get rid of particles and clogged dirt. Once the diverter has been cleaned and dried, you can then put it back. You may have to loosen the stuck faucet stem before you can clean it.
3. You’ve Got Low Water Pressure
Potential pull-out spray kitchen faucet problems can also include low water pressure. Spray faucets have aerators inside the taps which create that lovely waterfall effect. However, in areas with hard water, mineral deposits can block the aerator, causing the water pressure to drop.
This problem can get worse if you have hard water in your kitchen, but there’s no need to worry as this issue is pretty easy to solve. Check out our tips below.
The Solution
First, remove the faucet aerator from the end of the faucet spout by turning it anti-clockwise using your hands. But, if the aerator has become stuck and is too difficult to remove manually, a pair of pliers can be used to make life easier for you!
If you do use pliers though, be very careful not to dent the surface. To avoid this, a good tip is to wrap thick masking tape around the pliers so the grip isn’t so harsh.
Once the faucet spout is wide open, you can see if any of the aerator parts are stuck using a screwdriver. Remove any pieces that are stuck using your screwdriver, then clean the faucet aerator and any debris or deposits that have been left inside the spout.
4. The Water Handle Is Sticking
Most pull-out kitchen sink faucets come with water handles which allows you to get water whenever you need it. The water handle in your faucet has a lever on the handle that releases water when pushed, the same as a sink sprayer head.
As with many other button types, continuously pressing the button makes it unresponsive and weak, which is why the handle may stick whenever you press it. Although a sticking water handle is usually caused by general wear and tear, it may be that it’s clogged with dirt and grime.
If the water handle sticking is caused by wear and tear, it might warrant a replacement handle. But, if the grime build-up is to blame, you just need to clean the handle and it’ll return to its original functionality.
The Solution
To solve the problem of a sticking water handle, turn the water off before you start. Find where the button is located on the faucet handle, this is usually on top or the side of the handle.
Once you’ve found it, remove the faucet handle by popping out the button using a flathead screwdriver. Take extra care when you take out the button so it doesn’t end up broken. But, if you do accidentally break it, a replacement can be ordered to fix it.
5. Your Spray Head Is Leaking
A leaking spray head is one of the biggest pull-out kitchen faucet problems you may have to deal with. It’s an issue that no one wants to happen as a leaking spray head can only be resolved by replacing it.
If this happens, you’ll need to get a new spray head and fix it permanently in place before you can use your faucet again. Fortunately, replacing a leaky spray head is an easy task as long as you have the right tools for the job.
The Solution
Start by switching off the water valves under the kitchen sink. Once you’ve done that, disconnect the sprayer head using your screwdriver so the C-clip is exposed. Take the old clip off and connect the new head and the new C-clip.
Then, attach a washer and screw the new sprayer head into position. Once you’ve replaced your spray head, you can unscrew it occasionally to clean any dirt that may collect around the head. This will improve its performance and help reduce the chance of future leaks.
6. Your Pull-Out Hose Is Leaking
A leaking pull-out hose is another common problem with pull-out faucets. It may be that the hose is old or the hose connection hasn’t been installed properly, leaving loose ends behind.
A leaking pull-out hose can create a messy kitchen so a quick solution will be needed! Check out our advice below on how to solve this problem.
The Solution
Rather than replacing the whole faucet, you can just replace the hose. To do this you’ll need to find the water isolation taps, which you can normally find under the sink. Once you’ve done this, find the weight and unscrew it.
If you’re using a plastic weight, leave it in its original position until you take out the hose, then slide the weight off. Be sure to put it back when you reassemble the tap. Next, you’ll need to disconnect the hose from your water supply, so be sure to read the user manual to see which connector you have, as there are different types.
Take out the old hose through the faucet spout and put the new one into the housing. You’ll then need to go back under the sink, connect the hose to the water supply, then screw the plastic weight back into place. Finally, switch the water back on to make sure there aren’t any leaks.
Pros And Cons Of A Pull-Out Spray Kitchen Faucet
Advantages
First, let’s look at some of the advantages that pull-out faucets have to offer:
- They have longer hoses – this makes them more versatile and can be used for lots of different tasks, including filling large pots and pans which may be very difficult with a regular faucet.
- Reduced splashback – the extra flexibility of the head prevents water splashing, minimizing the clean-up afterward.
- Takes up minimal space – the shorter spouts make them ideal for smaller kitchens or sink areas.
Drawbacks
As with many products, there are some disadvantages that all buyers should be aware of, so an informed decision can be made. Some of the downsides include:
- It may not be suitable for filling certain utensils – filling tall items such as pitchers may be quite difficult
- It may be more difficult for larger hands to operate it – if you find it tricky to use, be sure to choose a grip that fits well in your hand.
Read more: Pull out vs pull down kitchen faucets
FAQs
How does a pull-out spray tap work?
Pull-out taps have a very simple function. They work by allowing you to pull the sprayer head into your sink and turn the water on as usual. You can also mix the cold and hot water using the same lever. Then, the water goes down to the main unit underneath your sink.
How do you unstick a kitchen faucet sprayer?
If the sink sprayer trigger is stuck, push a flathead screwdriver underneath the handle of the nozzle and push on the spray button to prevent the nozzle from spraying water.
How do you fix a retractable kitchen faucet?
When your pull-out faucet doesn’t automatically retract, as it should do, it can be very annoying. But don’t worry, if you find yourself having to push it back in each time, it can be fixed.
This problem is usually caused by the attached weight that pulls the hose back in, so it’s worth checking that this is still connected.
