How to remove a stuck recessed aerator in a Delta faucet.

[Snagglefoot]

Delta Faucets are famous for using recessed aerators where you use a plastic key that meshes with the aerator and allows it to be unscrewed. These aerators can get plugged with time. However if calcium builds up in the threads it’s very difficult to unscrew. The quick solution is to drill a hole in it and the force a screwdriver in it and try rotate it counter clockwise. It that doesn’t work use a tapered paring knife and jam it in. It will cut a grove in the plastic and allow the knife to rotate it. I actually tried a left hand bit but it didn’t unscrew it. The toughest part is to find a low clearance drill that has room to fit in the sink. Here are a few shots.

 

[walterjay]

Soak it with WD-40. This can actually break some of the calcium bond. It that doesn't work make a solution of 50% water and vinegar in a small plastic bag. Slip the bag over the spout to immerse the end and tie it up with a rubber band. Let it soak for and hour or so and see what happens. Good luck.

 

[Snagglefoot]

Soak it with WD-40. This can actually break some of the calcium bond. It that doesn't work make a solution of 50% water and vinegar in a small plastic bag. Slip the bag over the spout to immerse the end and tie it up with a rubber band. Let it soak for and hour or so and see what happens. Good luck.

Did that with mine to no avail. I had some pretty harsh minerals coming directly from the limestone mountain behind my house but for a more normal application those are good recommendations.

 

[Oro_O]

There are in reality few problems a massive application of force will not solve. Kudos to you.

(I don’t like messing around with half meaures, either.)

 

[Skippy722]

I use a pair of scissors with fine points on the ends when that happens… about once every 3-4 months from calcium and iron build up. The scissors make for a decent makeshift key and doesn’t absolutely destroy the aerator.

Then I throw it into some 50/50 CLR/hot water and forget about it for a few hours.

 

[Snagglefoot]

Interesting thing about Bob is the oil guy is that Google picks up posts from Bitog. That’s why a detailed title is a good thing. I think I’ve been immortalized!

 

[Snagglefoot]

At first I had used a metal pick to grab the threaded black plastic section, tearing up some of the plastic, however I didn’t need to do that. The paring knife cut into the white plastic that was remaining after drilling it out and there was no risk of damaging the threads in the faucet. The bottom shot shows all the parts after drilling out the aerator. Make sure the drain plug is in the closed position, because the parts will come flying out the first time you turn the water on after the outer aerator body is rotated out.

 

[Snagglefoot]

I did another Delta faucet in the same manner. However, this time, rotating with the knife did not get the aerator moving. The solution this time was to use a pick and needle nose pliers to grab hold of the plastic threaded section by prying it away from the internal wall of the faucet end, and grabbing it with the needle nose pliers. The grey plastic comes out, and then the white plastic piece is wobbly and needs to be aligned a bit and it fall out. Then simply turn on the tap and the two plastic disks will be forced out. Screw in a new aerator.

 

[KneeGrinder]

Hey Snag! Call Delta, they very well may give/send you a new replacement part for free if your faucet is no too old. Moen and Kohler have sent me free replacement parts, Moen sent me 2 mixing valve cartridges that cost over $100.00 USD each! Kohler sent me a hot/cold connector for kitchen sink faucet. I think Delta warranties for life also.

 

[hrv]

I have all Delta faucets in my house that was built in 1998. All of them carry a lifetime warranty on parts and finish. Over the years I have replaced various parts and never had an issue getting them for free and they arrived in just a few days...

 

[Snagglefoot]

Thanks for the ideas on the warranty parts. I get freee cartridges at Home Depot courtesy of the Delta rep but not the aerators. Also, staff tell me the Moen rep keeps the parts supplied on a regular basis but the Delta rep keeps running out.

 

[burbguy82]

If you would have called delta, they would send you the tool for free. If you had the right tool, it would have come off easily. They come with the faucet and are thrown away by cleanup crews or the homeowner or installer, and one of these is you.

 

[Snagglefoot]

If you would have called delta, they would send you the tool for free. If you had the right tool, it would have come off easily. They come with the faucet and are thrown away by cleanup crews or the homeowner or installer, and one of these is you.

Normally yes, but after 12 years, this thing was in there solidly. I had the tool but it wouldn't turn. I even had a plumber buddy try but no luck.

 

[Dave9]

Warranty, sure, if you bought it instead of it coming with the house. I assume the warranty is only for original owner, right?

I just had same problem, aerator would not come off, but this was a faucet that downward sloped, so even as best I tried, could not get it sitting in a pool of acid to dissolve the mineral deposits much. I tried a ziplock bag full and rubber band but just watched it all run out. Gravity!

Managed to mangle the heck out of the chromed brass ring trying to turn it, then once deformed out of round, wasn't any easier. Finally stuck needle nose pliers up in the plastic, and pushed more aggressively knowing I had to break something eventually, broke a few spokes off that plastic insert, then finally the whole thing started unscrewing.

I think it was a combination of all the abuse I gave it, not just sticking the pliers up in the plastic and breaking that. They really should have assembled these with *forever*-lasting waterproof grease (or wax?) on all threads.

 

[Snagglefoot]

Warranty, sure, if you bought it instead of it coming with the house. I assume the warranty is only for original owner, right?

I just had same problem, aerator would not come off, but this was a faucet that downward sloped, so even as best I tried, could not get it sitting in a pool of acid to dissolve the mineral deposits much. I tried a ziplock bag full and rubber band but just watched it all run out. Gravity!

Managed to mangle the heck out of the chromed brass ring trying to turn it, then once deformed out of round, wasn't any easier. Finally stuck needle nose pliers up in the plastic, and pushed more aggressively knowing I had to break something eventually, broke a few spokes off that plastic insert, then finally the whole thing started unscrewing.

I think it was a combination of all the abuse I gave it, not just sticking the pliers up in the plastic and breaking that. They really should have assembled these with *forever*-lasting waterproof grease (or wax?) on all threads.

Also, watch out with the “ bag of acid trick” I ruined the polymer coating on a nickel finish on an expensive tap. On the other topic, no one ever asked me if I was the original owner of the faucet. I bought the Delta faucets installed 12 years ago when I built the house.

 

[Dave9]

I happen to have a (different faucet than I mentioned in my prior post) brushed nickel finish moen with the clear coat on the cast metal base plate. It has never been in contact with acid (nor anything abrasive, nor bleach, nothing but an occasional soapy water splash) but that coating is still coming off.