What types of faucet aerators are there? Master class: quick cleaning of the aerator in the mixer with your own hands

Housing and communal services costs increase several times a year, so it is logical to think about opportunities to save energy resources. Use less water possible using simple savers that are placed directly on the tap. Such devices are sold in plumbing stores and online stores; they are produced mainly in China. However, you can make an aerator to save water with your own hands. Let's take a look at how this device works and whether it really helps reduce costs.

How does it work

The saver is a simple device that is a water sprayer. According to manufacturers, it mixes water with air, which gives higher pressure without additional opening tap. There are two types of such devices:

screen with disk;
slotted.

A screen aerator is installed in almost every new faucet; it is nothing more than an ordinary mesh. It consists of a housing into which a brass membrane (also known as a screen) is inserted, followed by a disk with holes and a mounting washer. Such a device is inserted directly into the faucet; it is invisible to the naked eye, as it is hidden inside.

Slot savers are hung on the faucet or mixer itself, so they are not very convenient to use if the distance from the sink to the faucet is small. The structure of the device is also quite simple. A water jet diluter with holes is inserted into the outer casing, then an element for adjusting the jet angle, the base of the aerator and the slotted disk itself.

Additional features

In addition to the fact that the saver allows, according to manufacturers, to reduce water costs by up to 60%, it is also endowed with other abilities. Most often, advertisements claim that the flowing stream is disinfected with ions, filtered, and enriched with valuable properties. However, the nozzle is made of low-grade metal, which is not able to make the water either cleaner or healthier. It also contains plastic particles, healing properties which are also not scientifically proven.

However, the device also has one pleasant nuance: by shifting the slot aerator, you can create a regular stream or a spray one.

The device can be in two positions alternately, so washing dishes or brushing your teeth will be twice as fun. There are also more expensive backlit options. The water will be red or of blue color, depending on whether it is hot or cold. However, this function of the aerator has no effect.

How to do it yourself

You can buy an aerator for approximately 800-1300 rubles. However, its design is quite simple, so making a water saver with your own hands will be quite easy. For this we will need the following materials:

Unscrew the nozzle and remove the brass grille from it. A plastic gasket will be installed in its place. If you managed to find just a piece of plastic, you need to carefully cut it out, observing the dimensions of the previous grid, then draw out the mesh and make holes.

After replacing the elements, we reassemble the nozzle and attach it to the tap. Such a device will perform the same functions as a store-bought aerator, but, unlike it, it will actually help save money.

Advantages of self-production

A store-bought aerator is expensive, but its real price is approximately 50-100 rubles, depending on the design. However, manufacturers promise that their know-how pays off in just a couple of months or even one. This is a false statement, which we will now prove.

Attention! All calculations are approximate and may differ from actual figures.

The average cost of an aerator is 1,300 rubles. We take 2 pieces, since we are immediately offered to buy attachments for all the taps in the house, it turns out to be 2,600 rubles. If the price is 1 cubic meter cold water 30 rubles, then you need to use as much as 86 cubic meters per month to get the cost of the nozzles. For a more detailed understanding of this figure, let’s convert it into quantity full baths. One standard bath contains approximately 200 liters of water, 430 baths are obtained per month, this is 14 pieces per day or every half hour per day.

With such simple calculations, it is clear that it will be unrealistic to “recoup” the cost of economizers in one or even two months. Therefore, if you want to save money, you can make your own aerator.

Imaginary benefit

Water dividers in no way help to really save money, since they are not able to change the composition of the water. All the miraculous properties that advertisers have endowed such devices with are conjecture. In addition, it is worth considering that the main water costs of the average family are using the shower and cistern, bathrooms are filled quite rarely. Savers cannot be physically installed on these plumbing elements, so theoretically they are capable of reducing the cost of not all water used, but only that which passes through the nozzles.

To reduce water consumption using a principle similar to aerators, you need to do one simple thing– reduce the pressure in the tap. It has been proven that the implementation everyday tasks such as washing dishes or taking a shower, this method of reducing water use does not have a negative impact.

Let's sum it up

The Chinese market offers us water-saving aerators that can be used without special costs time and money to make at home. If you want to test the theory about reducing water use, it is better to make the device yourself. It will clearly show that you can reduce the cost of housing and communal services only through rational consumption.

An aerator is a device small sizes, presented in the form of a mesh filter, which is installed on the mixer spout. It is designed to mix air and water, and therefore limit and reduce flow rate. The device allows you to retain small particles of sand, as well as salt deposits. However, his functional purpose should not be confused with the role of the filter, the absence of which reduces not only the service life of the aerator, but also the mixer as a whole.

Aerator functions

The principle of operation of the aerator is as follows: through small holes located around the perimeter of the installation, air penetrates into the mixer, where it is subsequently mixed with water, and as a result, foamed water enriched with small air bubbles comes out of the device.

Let's take a closer look at the functions and role of the aerator in the mixer.

Normalizes water flow.
Promotes rapid weathering of chlorine compounds, resulting in this process water quality increases.
Improves surface washing due to the presence of bubbles in the water flow.
Reduces water consumption due to increased jet volume as a result of aeration.
Cleans liquid from sand, salts, and large particles.

The advantages of the nozzle are: reduced noise of aerated water, low cost of the product - from 2 to 8 dollars, ease of installation, as well as maintenance and water saving.

Also watch a video about how you can save water using an aerator

The disadvantage of the product is the short service life of the mesh filter, which, as a rule, does not exceed 1-2 years.

Thus, using an aerator allows you to reduce water consumption and increase its quality. In order for the nozzle to fully perform the above functions, it is necessary to monitor its condition and promptly clean it, as well as replace the part if necessary.

Types of aerator

Currently, aerators do not have a wide variety of types and shapes, but the design of any of them consists of a housing, a gasket and a module with a filter system.

In a cylindrical module, manufacturers place grids with cells, while the first ones are directed into a stream of water for the purpose of purification, the purpose of the rest is the process of mixing water and air.

Let's look at the main types of aerators, depending on the material used to make the body.

Metal. Nozzles made of this material are the most common and inexpensive. Among the disadvantages of the product are: rapid destruction of the structure due to the easy susceptibility of the material to corrosion, as a result of the constant influence of water on the product.
Polymer. Possess good quality, have a low cost, withstand constant exposure to water well, and do not rust.
Ceramic or from non-ferrous metals (brass, bronze). Are the most expensive devices, however, they have an increased service life compared to metal and polymer aerators.

To produce an inexpensive and high-quality device, manufacturers often use stainless steel as an alternative material, which has high technological characteristics, like brass. Such a budget option well suited for people who value quality and have an average income level.

Depending on the design and additional functional equipment, aerators are:

vacuum - equipped with special vacuum valve, which compresses water under pressure, creating an aerated flow;
adjustable - the design of this product allows you to adjust the strength of the water flow, as well as set the required operating mode: “jet” or “spray”;
Illuminated aerators are equipped with LEDs and temperature sensors, which, depending on the water temperature, color its flow in the appropriate color: cool water up to 29°C - green, warm water from 30 to 38°C - blue, and above 39°C - blue red.

The product does not require additional equipment of the crane with electrical power sources, since it functions due to the rotation of its own turbine.

An illuminated aerator is an indispensable attribute of plumbing equipment in a home where children are, since such color shades help the child orient himself with the temperature of the outgoing stream and distinguish between the concepts of “cold” and “hot” depending on its color.

Aerator maintenance and cleaning

If the water pressure decreases while using this nozzle, you should check the condition of the aerator. Typically, the cause of this negative phenomenon The filter mesh is clogged. In this case, you only need to clean the product, but if it is very clogged and there are defects on its surface, you need to purchase a new faucet aerator.

Let's look at the procedure for cleaning the part.

Remove the aerator using a mechanic's wrench or pliers. To do this, you need to grab it with a key and turn it clockwise.

To eliminate the possibility of scratches on the faucet cover during dismantling, you should first wrap the head of the product with electrical tape.

Pull out and assess the condition of the rubber gasket. Next you need to remove it from the cylinder. strainer and rinse it under running water, and also thoroughly clean the device using a needle or thin awl.

In case of severe indelible contamination, perform chemical cleaning aerator. To do this, the mesh filter is placed in apple cider vinegar and kept until the deposits are completely dissolved.

Assemble and install the aerator in its original position. After this, you should check that the part is installed correctly. Namely, open the water and check the connections for leaks; if a leak is detected, you need to tighten the aerator using pliers.

If the above procedures for cleaning the aerator do not bring the desired result, replace it. To do this, unscrew the old device using a wrench, then install a new one in its place. This process will not take more than 20 minutes, and a properly equipped faucet will reduce water consumption by 15%, thereby reducing the consumption of the family budget.

Watch also the video on how to clean the aerator

An aerator for a faucet is a small device that is attached to the “spout” of the faucet and serves to limit the flow of water without any noticeable reduction in the intensity of the stream. When using plumbing fixtures without aerators, water consumption can reach a shocking figure - 15 liters per minute. With them, you will use no more than 6-7 liters per minute. But the advantages of these “attachments” do not end there.

Design and principle of operation of the aerator

Advantages and disadvantages of such a nozzle

The main advantages of using an aerator include:

low price. The nozzle will cost you 2-10 dollars (depending on the design features);
reducing the noise level during operation of plumbing fixtures. The water supplied along with the air does not make noise;
ease of maintenance. The elementary design allows even a housewife to understand the intricacies of the device and operation of the nozzle;
performs the function of a simple .

There is only one drawback - the fragility of the device. If your house has old pipes, you will have to change the aerators on the taps every six months to a year.

The aerator screens can be cleaned with a pin or needle.

How to clean and replace the aerator?

If it is necessary to clean the aerator (and there will be such a need), work should be carried out in the following order:

Uninstall the aerator by rotating it with your hand, a wrench and pliers clockwise - when looking at the faucet from above. If the rubber gasket does not fall out immediately, it must be removed and the condition assessed.
By pressing your finger on the side where the jet exits the body, remove the cylinder with mesh.
Having disassembled the cylinder into “spare parts” using a stream of water and a needle (toothpick, thin awl), clean its individual elements.
When all parts of the aerator are cleaned, you can assemble it and install it in place. Don’t forget to put a gasket on top of the nozzle - in a word, screw it together (counterclockwise when viewed from above). You should not tighten the aerator too much - it will be quite enough if you just do it by hand. If, after opening the water, you see a leak, just take pliers and a napkin and tighten slightly.

As you can see, the process of cleaning the aerator does not contain any difficulties. The same can be said about replacing the nozzle - unscrew the old one, install the new one, and that’s the end of it.

You can clean and replace the aerator with your own hands at any time - there is no need to resort to the services of a professional and not always “cheap” plumber.

More detailed instructions on replacing the aerator you will find in our material: .

Aesthetics is found in the details

If you have children in your home or you are simply a connoisseur of pleasant little things, then you will definitely like an illuminated faucet aerator. The bodies of such nozzles are usually made of brass with a chrome plated finish.

The design of illuminated aerators assumes the presence inside the housing of a built-in microturbine with an electric generator and a temperature sensor with a diode system. The operating temperature of such a nozzle is up to 60 degrees Celsius.

Note! Original design jet regulators with LED backlight does not require additional power sources. Such aerators operate by rotating a turbine.

The illuminated faucet aerator attaches to the faucet spout as simply as a regular one. Screws in by hand, without using tools. When the tap is opened, the jet illumination appears automatically. Its color, as you might guess, completely depends on the current water temperature:

at temperatures below 29 degrees – green;
at a temperature of 30-38 – blue;
at temperatures of 39 and above - red.

In our next article you will learn how to choose a good bathroom faucet: .

The beautiful illumination of luminous aerators will not leave either children or adults indifferent.

Almost any faucet in modern apartments is a mixer that combines flows of cold and hot water into a liquid at a comfortable or desired temperature for the user. And the now fashionable word “aerator” also refers to the small threaded part screwed onto the spout of this mixer.

Why is it needed and why can it, and sometimes need to be purchased separately, choosing the “reinforced” option? Let's try to understand the details.

Table of contents:

Why do you need a faucet aerator?

The “official” purpose of any aerator is to reduce water consumption. That is why the second name of such a device is “saver”. Savings, according to developers and sellers, occur due to mixing the water jet with air. And if, under normal conditions, approximately 15 liters of water per minute flows through a tap that is fully open, then the aerator adjusts this figure to 6-8 liters, with virtually no reduction in pressure.

In addition, a saving aerator can:

reduce the noise of liquid flowing from the tap (air bubbles in the stream significantly soften its fall);
reduce the amount of splashes generated when the flow collides with the container of a sink or bath bowl (thanks to the same bubbles);
make the stream softer and more pleasant (especially important when it comes to water treatments for the face and body);
work as an additional coarse filter (by the way, all aerators without exception are equipped with the simplest filters).

In general, all this is quite enough to make you think about choosing and purchasing such a device. Moreover, almost all of them have a universal design, which means they can be installed on any mixer.

And most aerators:

compact and not too conspicuous;
easy to use and install;
For the most part, they are quite durable (if you don’t make a mistake with the material, of course).

However, aerating devices also have disadvantages:

with low water quality in centralized system water supply, any aerator needs to be constantly cleaned, repaired, or even replaced;
reducing the incoming volume of water flow (and this can be important, for example, when you urgently need to fill some container).

No other disadvantages were noticed with the aerators.

How does a faucet aerator work?

A water aerator is a simple device, nevertheless consisting of 3 components: housing, cartridge and sealing gasket. The latter ensures a hermetically sealed installation of the device. The main secret of the aerator is the manufacturing scheme of its cartridge. Depending on this it can be:

Shchelev. In such a water-air mixture is formed using a special disk with technological slots. The flow of water, crashing into the deflecting disk, passes through these narrow slits and breaks into small droplets. As a result, mixing with air occurs, and then the jet, passing through the divider, stabilizes.
Or disk, with a reflector. These aerators have a different operating principle. A disk with small holes divides the water flow into jets, which mix with air, breaking against a special reflector. A fine mesh mesh acts as a divider in such devices.

Experts consider both methods of obtaining water-air mass to be effective. Therefore, aerator manufacturers actively use both.

What types of aerators are there: classification

Aerators are not particularly distinguished by the variety of shapes and technical modifications. But these devices still have a classification.

Based on the material used, all aerators can be divided into:

Also by technological features aerators are divided into:

internal devices for the faucet, equipped with external threads and screwed into the mixer;
external fixtures (already with internal thread), which are screwed onto the end of the mixer from the outside;
rotating or flexible devices that extend the nose of the faucet (they look like a hose, and with the movement of your hand you can direct such a hose, and therefore the water-air flow in the direction you need);
the second type of swivel fixtures, consisting of two parts and connected by a hinge (these are ideal for installation on bidet faucets);
Illuminated devices that provide visual appeal to the flow of water mixed with air.

DIY aerator

Although store-bought devices for saturating water with air in order to save water flow are inexpensive, there is always a temptation for craftsmen to make an aerator for the faucet with their own hands. Moreover, the design of such devices is extremely simple, which means it can be reproduced even by the most “terry” amateurs who have never created anything.

For such technical creativity you will need:

The body of the future device ( perfect option- the most common faucet attachment).
A piece of dense, durable plastic (a gasket with holes will be made from it to saturate the water with air).
Simple tools for designing the aerator and its subsequent installation.

The manufacturing process itself can be divided into 3 stages:

Making a special gasket (making holes in a piece of plastic cut to the desired size).
Installation of the finished plate into the body of the future aerator.
Installing a homemade aerator on the mixer.

It is clear that the plastic plate will act as a mesh filter - breaking up the flow and saturating it with air. Thus, it is achieved the main objective- saving water consumption. You will also be able to save on the purchase of an aerator. Plus experience own strength, as a craftsman capable of making and installing very useful things in everyday life.

Aerator for saving: is there such a thing?

It is believed that installing an aerator on a tap (most often on a mixer) is the most affordable and in a safe way save on water consumption by saturating its flow with air.

But is this really so? Is it really possible to significantly change meter readings? Let's try to figure it out.

The aerator, as a device, gets its name from the process it carries out. “Aeration” is translated from Greek as “air,” and the operation implies the natural saturation of water with air. This passage of air bubbles through the liquid (that is, the transformation of an elastic stream into a seething stream) promises to reduce water consumption at the same pressure. And the recorded data of some studies conducted by reputable organizations allow us to talk about 50% savings in water flow, provided that an aerator is installed on the tap. Therefore, this device definitely makes sense.

Aerator installation

Modern models of water aeration devices are durable, contrary to popular belief that they will soon fail. They are now made from appropriate materials according to the latest technologies(for example, holes in disks today have larger diameter than in predecessor devices), and therefore last a long time. And in addition, such aerators are equipped with multi-stage filtration systems, which means they are rightfully considered multifunctional devices.

To independently install one of the models of such a device on the mixer, you need to fix the existing aerator at the very end of the tap using threaded connection, according to the diagram below:

Modernized options for aerating devices

For many users, it is the aesthetic rather than the economic capabilities of aerators that are of key importance. For their faucets in kitchens and bathrooms, these people choose decorative devices. And most often we are talking about illuminated aerators. After all, the faucets equipped with them just need to be opened for the water jet to change color.

Modernized modern options aerating devices are equipped with a microturbine with an electric generator, as well as a temperature sensor. These aerators are designed in such a way that the color of the stream flowing from the tap depends on its temperature:

cool water (up to 31°C) turns green;
warm flow (up to 43°C) turns blue;
A hot water(from 45°C and above) comes out already red.

If you look at it, this effect has not only an aesthetic function, but also a practical one - it “informs” the user about the temperature of the liquid that flows from the tap.

As for the operating temperature range of devices similar type, then it is limited to 60 degrees Celsius.

Other options

Families with small children often install toy aerators on their faucets. Attachments in the form of animals, as well as fairy-tale or cartoon characters, also have universal sizes and types of fastening, so they can be easily mounted on any crane.

Toys on faucets look beautiful and unusual, and in addition to being aesthetic, they also have a practical option - they make it easier to get even the most stubborn dirty guy addicted to water hygiene procedures.

The aerator model created quite recently by the young London designer Simin Qiu is also considered an innovative development. His device turns the flow of water from the tap into bizarre spirals, creating beautiful, fascinatingly unusual “lattices” of liquid at the outlet.

Cleaning and installation technology

As for the practical side of the operation of any aerator, we must not forget that this device also acts as a filter. And if it gets clogged, the water flow will simply dry up. This means that it is necessary to clean the aerator from time to time or change the device when it completely breaks down.

Dismantling

To clean and replace, you first need to dismantle the device. And in order to carry out dismantling efficiently and easily, you should pay attention to 2 edges located on the body of any aerator diametrically opposite to each other.

Holding these edges, you should rotate the device clockwise. If it is difficult to rotate your hands, you need to resort to help wrench or pliers. But you need to act carefully so as not to break the thread or damage either the aerator or the mixer.

Disassembly of the structure

It is easy to disassemble the aerator for cleaning. You just need to remove the mesh gaskets placed in the housing one by one. But first of all, the rubber gasket is removed and its condition is assessed. Cleaning consists of high-quality washing of the elements, removing dirt, suspended matter, and other particles.

The most effective way to remove all excess from the mesh is with an old toothbrush. And if something cannot be removed, you can use a wooden toothpick. Mineral deposits are eliminated with a dissolving acidic medium (for example, if you soak the filters for 30 minutes in apple cider vinegar). Rust is removed with special chemicals.

Reassembly

When all the elements of the aerator are cleaned, you need to assemble the device and then install it in place. And here it is important to adhere to the rule: filter meshes should be laid strictly in layers so that the wires forming the cells are at an angle of 45° relative to each other.

Before installing the nozzle, you need to install a rubber washer and twist the aerator counterclockwise, but without excessive zeal.

You can check the functionality of the device only by opening the water. If there is obvious leakage from under the head, you will have to tighten the structure a little with pliers.

An aerator is a plumbing device that is installed on the spouts of water taps and mixers to saturate the water with small air bubbles and mechanically clean it from foreign particles.

The principle of operation of the aerator is to pass water through several meshes with different sizes cells. Thanks to this, the water is saturated with air, feels soft and splashes less when washing dishes. While maintaining cleaning efficiency aerator saves up to 70% water.

Types of mixer aerators

The range of aerator attachments for installation on faucet spouts is presented in the following types:

simple mesh, which is usually installed by manufacturers on all spouts of faucets and mixers;
with adjustable water jet shape;
with a change in the angle of the water jet;
with adjustment of the shape and angle of the water stream;
with random LED multi-colored illumination of the water jet;
with LED illuminated water jet different colors depending on its temperature.

The photo on the left shows an aerator with the ability to adjust the shape and angle of the water jet, on the right is an aerator with LED lighting, and in the center there are two simple standard aerators.

Simple mesh

A widespread type of aerator, which is usually installed on all faucet and bathtub spouts, in washbasins and in kitchen sinks.

A simple aerator is a housing that contains a number of plastic and metal mesh. The photo shows a simple disassembled aerator.

With the ability to adjust the shape and angle of the water jet

Manufacturers, as a rule, do not install aerators with the ability to adjust the shape and angle of water flow on faucet spouts, since their efficiency is not much different from standard aerators, and they cost twice as much.

Typically, the shape of faucet spouts provides the optimal direction of the water stream, and the ability to change its angle is rarely in demand. But the ability to change the shape of the jet can be useful.

If water flows out in the form of a stream from many jets, as in the photo on the left, then the water pressure in each of the jets increases and this mode is good when washing heavily soiled dishes. In another position of the flow regulator, water flows out like from a standard aerator.

With LED illuminated water jet

More recently, thanks to the efforts of Chinese manufacturers, faucet aerators with LED lighting that illuminate the water have appeared on the market. Children really like the water illuminated in different colors and they are happy to run to wash themselves or even wash the dishes. And adults also enjoy looking at colored water.

There are two types of aerators with LED lighting:

with random color changes;
with backlight color changing depending on water temperature

Structurally, aerators are made the same, and the choice is determined only by personal preferences. If you like constantly changing colors, like in a strobe, then you need to choose the first type, and if you like water simply illuminated in one color, then the second type.

An aerator with temperature-dependent water illumination illuminates the stream as follows:

green at temperatures below 30°C;.
blue at temperatures ranging from 30°C to 38°C;
red at temperatures above 39°C.

Aerator device with LED lighting

Aerators with LED lighting, both with iridescent colors and those that illuminate the water with a color depending on its temperature, are designed in the same way and designed to operate at a temperature of water passing through them no more than 60°C.

The photo shows the aerator from the side where the water stream is flowing out. As you can see, instead of a mesh there is a transparent lid with holes, like in a shower head.

On the opposite side of the aerator there is a mesh filter for coarse water purification and an annular rubber gasket. The mesh filter in high-quality aerators is usually installed from of stainless steel or brass.

The mesh is simply inserted into the aerator body and can be easily removed. Behind it you can see a part in the form of a cup, on the sides of which there are three holes made at an angle rectangular shape, serving to direct the flow of water onto the blades of the generator turbine.

The cup is made of plastic and is not fixed, so it can also be easily removed without the use of tools.

Water, falling under pressure on the generator turbine blades, causes them to rotate. The turbine is mounted on a shaft, and when rotating, transmits torque through it to a generator, which produces electricity. LEDs are connected to the generator winding. Therefore, when the generator is running, they glow, illuminating the water.

As you can see there are no There are no batteries in the LED aerator. If the LEDs stop shining, it means the generator or LEDs have failed. Such an aerator cannot be repaired, unless you can clean the mesh filter and turbine from dirt.

Manufacturers call the nozzle with LED lighting, designed for installation on the faucet, an aerator, which is not true. This device does not have a system that fills water jets with air bubbles and therefore it is more correct to call it a water divider with LED backlight.

It should be noted that the aerator with LED backlight works well even at very high temperatures. weak pressure water, but at the same time it produces a rather loud acoustic noise, which is emitted by a working electric generator. The sound emitted by the aerator is similar to the noise of a running electric motor in children's toys, complemented by flowing water from a shower head.

When purchasing an illuminated aerator, please note that its length is several centimeters and after installing it on the faucet spout work zone will decrease, which can create inconvenience if the sink is shallow.

The practice of using an aerator with LED lighting has shown that its service life rarely exceeds six months.

Installing an aerator with LED lighting on a faucet

Before installing an aerator with LED lighting on the faucet spout, you must unscrew the already installed aerator from it.

The body of the aerator with LED lighting is usually made of plastic and does not have edges for tightening it with an open-end wrench. Therefore, it is simply wrapped in the tap spout by hand.

Standard sizes of water aerators for mixers

Depending on the type of thread, aerators are available with external and internal threads. In addition, the thread can have a diameter of 20 mm, 22 mm, 24 mm and 28 mm. Therefore, before choosing an aerator, it is necessary to determine the type and diameter of the thread of the mixer spout.

The photo on the left shows an aerator with external threads. These are the most widely used. And on the right is located with internal thread.

What material to choose a faucet aerator from?

Aerator housings for the mixer are made of plastic or brass. On top they are covered with decorative shiny finish and by appearance practically no different. Aerators with a brass body are more expensive, but they also last for many years.

The body of the aerator, made of plastic, becomes brittle over time due to changes in water temperature, and when you try to unscrew it with a key from the faucet spout for cleaning, it cracks. This fact has been confirmed personal experience. Therefore, if you plan to clean the aerator meshes with your own hands in the future, then It is better to purchase an aerator with a brass body.

The coarse water filter in the aerator (blue in the photo above), which simultaneously performs the task of cutting the water flow into many thin jets, is usually made of plastic. I have not seen metal filters. There is no choice here.

Grids fine cleaning in the aerator, directly involved in the formation of bubbles in the water, are made of plastic, extruded aluminum, brass, plain or stainless steel. The choice should be made of meshes made of brass, or better yet, stainless steel. They will serve forever.

Thus, best choice there will be an aerator, the body of which is made of chrome-plated brass, and the fine mesh is made of stainless steel.

How to clean aerator screens from dirt and rust

Over time, due to the content in tap water small particles of iron oxides, they are deposited on all surfaces with which the water comes into contact. The water aerator will not escape this fate either.

The coarse and fine screens become clogged, bubbles disappear from the water flowing from the tap, and it stops making the characteristic hissing sound. And all the advantages that the aerator created disappear. Of course, you can replace it with a new one. But it’s easy to clean the mesh from dirt and rust with your own hands.

How to remove and disassemble the aerator

To unscrew the aerator, there are two edges on its body for gripping with a key, located diametrically opposite.

There are special plastic wrenches on sale that are designed to unscrew aerators. The design of one of these keys is shown in the photograph. But I think there is no point in purchasing a special wrench that can be replaced with a standard open-end wrench.

To unscrew the aerator with an open-end wrench, you need to grab the aerator by the edges with its jaws and rotate it clockwise (if you look at the faucet from above). To prevent scratches on the surface of the case from the impact of the key, thin leather or other material can be placed between its jaws.

View of the removed aerator assembly. The design is a collection of meshes with very small cells, folded one after the other sequentially into a cylindrical glass. The first two plastic meshes guide the stream of water and at the same time serve as a coarse filter, the rest mix water and air.

To remove the mesh from the aerator body, press with your finger on the mesh, which is located on the side where the water flows out. All meshes will be removed along with the cylinder in which they are placed.

The photo shows a coarse mesh and a cylinder with fine meshes remaining in it.

By prying the edge of the spherical mesh with the blade of a knife, you disconnect the block of coarse mesh.

The photo shows the coarse water purification mesh disassembled. All that remains is to remove the fine water purification mesh from the cylinder and you can begin cleaning the mesh from dirt and rust.

Cleaning the aerator mesh from rust

First you need to rinse each aerator mesh under running water using any detergent with a hard brush or an old toothbrush.

Mechanically, fine grains of sand and dirt are easily removed from the mesh. But a coating of rust, covering half or more of the mesh cells, will remain.

To remove any remaining rust, use chemically cleaning. For these purposes, any detergent for washing plumbing products that removes rust, for example Sanox, is suitable.

All parts of the aerator must be placed in a suitable container and filled with detergent. After 15-20 minutes, the rust from the surface of the part should disappear, otherwise you need to wait longer. When traces of rust disappear, the parts should be washed in running water.

As can be seen in the photo, the aerator parts after processing in detergent The Sanox began to look like new.

The aerator nets must be installed in the sequence shown in the photograph. It has been noticed in practice that in order for the aerator to operate with very low water pressure in the water supply system, the fine mesh during assembly must be oriented in such a way that the wires forming the cells of one mesh are oriented relative to the wires of the adjacent mesh at an angle of 45°.

After cleaning the mesh, assembling and installing the aerator on the mixer, a stream of water from the tap ran filled with bubbles, making a characteristic hissing sound. Thanks to cleaning the mesh with my own hands, the aerator began to work like new.

Noise control measures

Faucets with water aerators still have a drawback, which manifests itself when the faucet is installed in stainless steel sinks. Water with bubbles falling to the bottom of the sink causes its thin walls to vibrate and creates more acoustic noise than without an aerator. You can reduce the noise level in a simple way. Enough for outer side Glue a plate of microporous rubber or other porous material to the bottom of the sink, which will dampen vibration, and along with it noise.

To select the most suitable sound-absorbing material, simply open the tap and apply the material to the bottom of the sink. Then glue the most suitable one. It is quite possible that applying a thin layer of macroflex or other foam material will also be effective. But I haven't tried it myself.