How To Remove Flow Restrictor From Delta Kitchen Faucet?

In a world where water conservation is crucial, Delta kitchen faucets come with flow restrictors to reduce water usage. The flow restrictor in the faucet is useful to conserve water, cut utility bills, and contribute to a sustainable feature. But what if you need a stronger stream for filling large pots or rinsing dishes? That’s where this guide comes in.

In this guide on how to remove flow restrictor from Delta kitchen faucet, we will see the step-by-step process of safely removing the flow restrictor of the Delta faucet. This simple DIY process will increase faucet water pressure and give you more efficient water flow.

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What Is a Flow Restrictor?

A flow restrictor is a small device often used in plumbing fixtures, including faucets and showerheads, to limit the flow rate of water passing through them. Flow restrictors are made of plastic and have a disk shape.

Its primary purpose is to reduce water consumption and conserve water. Flow restrictors are integral components of modern plumbing fixtures, especially in areas where water saving is a priority.

Flow restrictors narrow down the path of the water flow, create resistance, and reduce the volume of water that comes out from the faucet. These restrictors are designed to meet the specific flow rate of a particular area.

In some faucets, it comes as a built-in part of the faucet and on another side, in a few faucets, it is an additional part of the faucet.

Flow restrictors help to regulate water usage by maintaining a steady and controlled stream. But for some people, these restrictors are not useful because they want a more powerful water stream from their Delta kitchen faucets.

Where Is the Flow Restrictor In Delta Kitchen Faucet?

The flow restrictor is typically located inside the spout of the Delta faucet. So, when water comes out from the spout, it passes through the flow restrictor and its flow becomes smooth and gentle.

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How To Remove Flow Restrictor From Delta Kitchen Faucet?

Like other faucet brands, Delta also uses flow restrictors in kitchen faucets to control the use of water. Also, it is compulsory in many states so without flow restriction, they can’t sell faucets.

If you are frustrated with the low water pressure and want to remove the restrictor or clean it here is our step-by-step guide for how to remove the flow restrictor from the delta kitchen faucet.

How To Remove Flow Restrictor From Delta Kitchen Faucet?

Turn Off Water

Most of the time people forget this step and later when they remove the faucet parts their kitchen floor fills with water everywhere. To avoid mess turn off the water supply.

Under the sink, you get to shut off the valve or turn off the whole house supply. This little step will save you from the mess in the future. For more safety, after turning off the water, turn on the handle of the faucet so the remaining water will come out from the faucet.

Cover The Sink Drain

This is the best way to catch all small parts of the faucet and save them from falling into the sink. Use a towel or any other cloth to cover the sink drain.

The faucet has many screws and other small parts and if the drain remains open then there are chances that these small pieces make their way to the drain by mistake.

Locating the Flow Restrictor

Now your workspace is read to remote the Delta kitchen faucet flow restrictor. It’s time to find the location of the flow restrictor. Finding the location is important to the successful removal of it.

The flow restrictor in a Delta kitchen faucet is typically found within the faucet’s aerator. The aerator is the small, circular attachment at the end of the faucet’s spout. It’s responsible for mixing air with the water to create a steady and controlled stream while limiting the water flow rate.

To locate the flow restrictor:

Examine the faucet’s spout closely, focusing on the tip where the water flows out.
You should see the aerator, which often has a mesh screen on the outside.
The flow restrictor is located inside the aerator, just behind the mesh screen.

Remove Flow Restrictor

To avoid scratching the faucet’s finish, wrap a cloth or use Teflon tape around the aerator’s housing. This will provide protection when using your tools.
Use an adjustable wrench to firmly grip the aerator’s housing. Make sure the wrench fits securely to prevent slipping and potential damage.
With a firm grip on the aerator, turn it counterclockwise (lefty loosey) to unscrew the aerator from the faucet’s spout. Initially, it may require a bit of force, but it should start to loosen.
Once it’s loosened, continue unscrewing the aerator by hand until it comes off entirely. Set it aside.
Look inside the aerator to find the flow restrictor. It’s a small, round piece typically made of plastic or rubber. In some cases, it may be color-coded for identification.
Gently tap or shake the aerator to dislodge the flow restrictor. It should fall out easily. Be cautious not to damage the aerator or the flow restrictor during this process.

Cleaning and Reassembling

Now that you’ve removed the flow restrictor, it’s essential to clean the components to prevent any debris from affecting your faucet’s performance.

Examine the aerator for any debris or sediment. Rinse it thoroughly under running water to remove any impurities. If you notice stubborn debris, you can use a soft brush, like an old toothbrush, to gently scrub the components.

If your aerator has a mesh screen, make sure it’s clean and free of blockages. Use a needle or a pin to carefully clear any clogs.

Carefully screw the aerator back onto the faucet’s spout by hand. Once it’s snug, use your adjustable wrench to tighten it slightly. Be cautious not to overtighten, as this can damage the faucet.

If you used a cloth or tape to protect the finish during removal, gently remove it. With the flow restrictor removed and the components cleaned and reassembled, it’s time to test your Delta kitchen faucet to ensure it functions as desired. If you need high water pressure, you can check these kitchen faucets for high water pressure.

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Why Remove The Flow Restrictor From Delta Faucet?

There are several reasons why you may want to remove the flow restrictor of the Delta kitchen faucet.

The most common reason is to improve the water flow of the faucet. Flow restrictors are designed to slow down the water flow to save the water. They limit the amount of water that flows through the faucet.

Slow water flow is frustrating when you have to clean many dishes. It takes time to clean dishes. By removing the flow restrictor, you can improve the flow of the water which provides a more satisfying cleaning experience.

Another reason is to clean the flow restrictor in the Delta faucet. A flow restrictor has holes that mix air into the water to slow down the water flow. But with time, due to lime buildup, these holes get clogged.

To clean holes, you need to remove them. Use vinegar to clean its holes. Soak it in vinegar for an hour and then rub its holes with a toothbrush to clean holes properly.

By removing the flow restrictor from the Delta faucet, you can increase its performance but it will also add an extra amount to the water bill.

How To Clean Flow Restrictor To Increase Water Pressure?

The flow restrictor is not always the reason for low water pressure. Flow restrictor has small holes and these holes are blocked by debris and minerals in the water. Here are steps to remove the flow restrictor to clean it.

Remove Flow Restrictor

As usual, first, turn off the water to the faucet. Now remove the aerator of the faucet. Turn it to the left to remove it and if it is hard to turn use an Allen wrench to remove it.

Before using a wrench, cover the aerator with any cloth to protect its finish. Now remove the restrictor from the aerator.

Clean Flow Restrictor By Removing Debris and Sediments

Now when the flow restrictor is out, you can clean it. First, rub your fingers on it. After this now use a brush to clean its holes. By using a brush most of the holes would be opened.

If still there are blocked holes in the flow restrictor then use vinegar. Keep the flow restrictor in the vinegar for around 30 minutes. After 30 minutes take it out from the vinegar and clean it with water, now all blocked holes are opened so fit it inside the aerator.

Run Water To Remove Debris

After removing the restrictor run hot and cold water each for 1 minute. This step will clean all dirt and slit from the pipelines. You may need to run water several times until you get clean water.

Once clean water comes out from the faucet turn off the water. This step is necessary because once water lines are cleared the chances of reoccurring the same problem in the feature are less.

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Replace Flow Restrictor

Sometimes due to hard water or big minerals in the water flow restrictor holes are blocked badly and they can’t be opened by any method so there is only one solution to this problem replace the flow restrictor.

Get a new flow restrictor and insert it into the place of the old restrictor. Now put the aerator into the faucet and turn on the water supply.

What are the Benefits of Using Flow Restrictors in the Faucet?

Flow restrictors reduce the water pressure then why do they come with the faucet? The simple answer is that they are beneficial for the environment and homeowners.

Due to flow restrictions, you need less water to clean dishes, so it saves water and makes a good impact on the environment. According to a government survey, every year more than 700 gallons of water are saved due to flow restrictions in the faucet.

Along with water-saving, it also saves electricity. You use less water so less electricity is used to heat the water. So basically, it saves both water and electricity bills.

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FAQ About Removing Flow Restrictor From Delta Faucet

Can I Remove Flow Restrictor From Delta Kitchen Faucet?

Yes, you can easily remove the flow restrictor from the Delta kitchen faucet. Flow restrictor comes by default with all faucets. It saves lots of water every year. You can remove it if you feel the water pressure of the faucet is low.

How Do I Get More Water Pressure From My Delta Kitchen Faucet?

To get more water pressure, you can remove the aerator and flow restrictor from the Delta faucet. By removing them, the water pressure would be increased.

Should I Remove Flow Restrictor From The Kitchen Faucet?

The flow restrictor is a water-saving device. It saves water which makes a good impact on the environment and also saves water bills. If you feel water pressure is low due to the flow restrictor then instead of removing the restrictor, clean it or replace it.

Do All Faucets Come With Flow Restrictors?

Kitchen or bathroom all types of faucets have flow restrictors.

Final Words

Removing the flow restrictor is not a tough task. Nonetheless, people think it is a complicated task but after reading this article on how to remove flow restrictor from delta kitchen faucet now you can easily remove it.

By removing the flow restrictor from the Delta kitchen faucet, you can increase its water flow and get a stronger stream. A flow restrictor is a good-to-use device in the faucet but sometimes it creates issues.

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