A faucet sprayer is a must-have kitchen item and a “best friend” of every housekeeper. Doing the basic kitchen chores without one can be troublesome and time-consuming.

Never underestimate the “power” of a sink sprayer because I myself have found my kitchen turning into a mess without one.

Thus, I’m writing this article to ensure that none of you makes the same mistakes as I did. So let’s start with the basics and gradually unveil every puzzle of kitchen sprayers.

How does a Sink Sprayer Work?

How does a sink sprayer work

Theory

A sink sprayer never draws much attention until they clog up or need to be replaced. But it’s a smart move to know how one works to avoid any incident that can interfere with our peaceful weekend.Sink sprayers are one of the indispensable accessories attached to a faucet. They work using water pressure and gravity. The working parts are hidden under the hose’s body or the sink.

The visible part is a handle grip attached to a hose that comes up near the sink. If you want to use it, you squeeze the lever on the handle grip and a small flap opens inside, allowing the water to flow through the aerator and onto the object.

Mechanics

The working end of the sprayer is contained inside the hose. Hot and cold water runs through the faucet controls to enter the hose from underneath.Inside the hose’s base that shares the water supply with a sprayer is a plastic fitted with a metal insert and a plastic collar known as “diverter”. These diverters sit inside the hose as water moves through when the control is turned on.

When the sprayer trigger is released, the water supply to the sprayer head has nowhere to go. The collar rises according to the reverse flow from the sprayer.

The diverter inside the hose’s base is connected to the sprayer head by a loop under the sink that goes from the base to the sink sprayer.

Variations

We can only install sink sprayers when a spout contains a diverter. Other faucets are available where the spout works as a sprayer.These faucets also use a diverter with a trigger system that controls the spout when the water is prevented from running through.

Besides, a sprayer only works when the main faucet is open. The water can change direction to allow pressure to close the spout.

Similar to any other plumbing operation, remember to shut off the water supply before making any alteration to the control panels or the diverter.

How to Install a Kitchen Sink Sprayer?

We have all known the benefits of a sink sprayer, so let’s start to install one for your kitchen now.

How to install a kitchen sink sprayer

Step 1: Check the Sink

Before deciding to install a faucet sprayer in your sink system, make sure your sink can accommodate one. The majority of the sinks have an extra hole on the side of the main faucet.

If you cannot find any, considering drilling a hole of the size of a sprayer. Also check underneath your sink to ensure a diverter connection on the water supply so that your new sprayer can receive water supply.

Step 2: Turn off the Water

Turn off the water supply to the faucet and drain the water. It’ll be annoying to install a sink sprayer when the water supply is turned on because it can lead to unnecessary water leaks.

Step 3: Remove the Soap Dispenser

Remove the Soap Dispenser if you’re about to replace it with a sink sprayer. Use a basin wrench to remove nuts that hold the soap dispenser.

Step 4: Put the Shroud

Put the shroud for the faucet sprayer in the hold and tighten the retaining nuts below to secure its place.

Put the sprayer hose down through the shroud and place the sprayer in the shroud.

Step 5: Connect the Shroud

Find the end of the sprayer and connect it with the diverter water connection on the water supply path. Tighten all the nuts to avoid any water leaks.

Step 6: Test the Sprayer

Turn on the water supply and test the sink sprayer. A new sprayer will offer a strong pressure of water. Then check for all potential water leaks from the beginning to the end of the hose.

What are the Benefits of Sink Sprayers?

What are the benefits of sink sprayers

Extend Kitchen Faucet Capability

Without a sink sprayer, your household chores are limited to what you cando in a sink underneath the kitchen faucet, causing you to feel frustrated with some certain tasks.I have tried to wash a large pot in a sink without a faucet sprayer and it’s really annoying to cram the pot into the sink and fill it with water.

But with a faucet sprayer, that will no longer be a problem. You can easily put the pot on the counter and fill it with water using the sprayer.

Allow Users to Multi-task When doing Housework

Some kitchen tasks require two or more steps, which can be shortened with a sink sprayer. A kitchen sink sprayer requires you to control the water with one hand only. This allows you to finish a 2-step task in only one step.For instance, I spray the water using a sink sprayer and scrub the counter as I go along to clean it. It’s very convenient, right? If I don’t use the sprayer, I will probably have to fill a pan with water, scrub the counter and then fill the pan again. That’s three time-consuming steps.

Make Food Preparation More Convenient

Another advantage of a sink sprayer is making the process of food preparing more convenient. When you install one, you can simplify some of your food preparation steps such as washing fruits and vegetables, filling the pot with water, or rinsing rice.

Save Water Resource

We can use the faucet sprayer to wash only when we need it instead of just turning on the kitchen sprayer and letting the water run continuously. What a waste of resources!Using a sink sprayer allows people to conserve the water effortlessly. So if you want to save your water bills, paying for a sprayer is a good investment.

How to Clean Kitchen Sink Sprayer?

While most of us often think about cleaning the sink and wiping the faucet and handles, sink sprayer also requires proper cleaning to ensure its performance.

How to clean kitchen sink sprayer

Step 1: Prepare the Bowls

Fill one bowl with a vinegar solution and the other with warm water.

Step 2: Pull the Sprayer Out

Turn off the hose connection at its base to pull it out completely.

Step 3: Clean the Hose

Dip a microfiber cloth into the vinegar solution and rub gently along the hose to remove any debris.

After the hose is clean, dip the second microfiber cloth into the water to wipe out the remaining vinegar solution.

Step 4: Clean the Nozzle

Dip the first microfiber cloth into the vinegar solution again and use it to scrub the nozzle’s holes. Then let it dry for a few minutes or continue scrubbing with an old toothbrush.

If you find the sprayer clogged or covered in hard water areas, consider letting it sit in the vinegar solution for at least 30 minutes or overnight. Finally, use the water-dipped cloth to clean the hose.

Step 5: Dry the Hose

Use the third cloth to dry the hose before putting it back into its position.

Step 6: Rinse Way

Run the superhot water through the sink sprayer for a while to remove any debris or remaining vinegar solution out of the flow holes before using.

So the task of cleaning your sink sprayer takes only a few minutes to spare and it’s convenient to do at home.

How to Replace a Sink Sprayer?

Even if your faucet has no sink sprayer, the task of adding one is not difficult at all. You need to check the body of the sink to make sure it has the necessary parts to attach the sprayer.

How to replace a sink sprayer

Step 1: Check the Sink

Check the configuration of the sink to ensure there is a hole available for installing a sink sprayer. Besides, a diverter valve nipper is important for a sprayer so check it out too.

This valve is used to stop water supply pouring from the sprayer and direct it to the sprayer hose.

Step 2: Turn off the Water Supply

Shut off the water supply from the valves beneath the sink or the main valve of the house.

Step 3: Remove the Faucet Sprayer Line

Remove the sprayer flex line from underneath the sink. You will see a copper tube coming down the faucet body with a brass nipple on it to install the sprayer.

Tighten the brass connection with pliers and unfasten the hose nuts connecting to other pliers. If the brass connection is loose and unstable, the copper tube leading to the sprayer may be twisted and broken.

Step 4: Disconnect the Hose

Disconnect the sprayer hose from the sink and pull it out. Bring the sprayer head and hose to a nearby hardware store to purchase a replacement.

Step 5: Install the New Sink Sprayer

Install a new sprayer by inserting the tailpiece through the hole in the sink deck. Tighten the nuts onto the sprayer tailpiece from under the sink, using a basin wrench.

Run the new one through the housing so it’s ready for the connection. Before connecting the hose to the faucet, make sure it’s in the right place to expand and avoid tangling.

Afterward, underneath the sink, attach the threaded fitting on the sprayer onto the diverter nipple. Use two pliers – one for holding the fitting, one for tightening the hose nuts to secure the hose to the sprayer.

Step 6: Turn on the Water Supply

Turn the water supply on again and check for water leaks. Run hot water through the sink sprayer to soften the hose and allow water goes up and down.

How to Repair a Kitchen Sink Sprayer?

It must be a pain in the neck when our sink sprayers are broken as soon as we need it. Here are the simple steps to fix the sprayer to maintain its working condition.

How to repair a kitchen sink sprayer

  • Turn off hot and cold water at the valves under the sink
  • Loosen the cap behind the faucet’s spout with pliers and protect the chrome cap with a rag.
  • Unfasten the cap and put the rag into the sink’s drain
  • Loosen the old diverter
  • Discard the old diverter and its rubber padding with pliers
  • Wrap Teflon tape around the threads of the new diverter
  • Carefully put the new diverter into place and tighten it with pliers
  • Remove the rag that covers the drain
  • Tighten the cap over the diverter by pliers and a protective rag.
  • Turn on the water and test the sprayer

How to Fix a Leaking Sink Sprayer?

A leaking kitchen sink sprayer is probably an eyesore for any kitchen users. Before repairing, it’s important to determine where the leaking comes from.

How to fix a leaking sink sprayer

Step 1: Turn off the Water Supply Under the Sink

Step 2: Check the Leaking

If the leak comes from the spray nozzle, we can replace the gaskets lying inside the spout by opening the device and finding the rubber gaskets.

Remove the old ones if they’re in poor conditions and replace them with the new ones. Next, turn on the water supply and use the kitchen sink sprayer to test the gasket’s performance.

If the leak comes from underneath the sink, especially at the place where the hose is attached to the faucet, we only need to strengthen the seal without having to replace anything.

To do this, remove the supply line and clean the two connecting ends. Then use a plumber to wrap around the threads. Next, put the piece into its right place.

Step 3: Replace the Entire Sprayer

If step 2 doesn’t work, consider replacing the entire sprayer, including the hose or the whole assembly. If the whole thing needs replacing, you only need to discard the supply line from the faucet.

Afterward, pull out the sink sprayer to remove the hose of the old kitchen sink. After removing the old sprayer, we can easily install the new one.

Conclusion

So it’s literally everything you should know about sink sprayers before installing one. Follow the advice and steps closely and you can enjoy doing your kitchen chores right away.