Faucet Spraying Water Everywhere – Fix It Like a Pro

If you’re reading this, chances are your faucet spraying water everywhere except where it’s supposed to – down the drain. It’s frustrating, annoying, and maybe even a little bit worrying (after all, who wants to waste water and risk a higher utility bill?)

So how would you stop your faucet from spraying water everywhere? Here in this guide, you will find the solution to make the faucet spray smooth and focused in the center of the sink.

Why Is Faucet Spraying Water Everywhere?

You turn the faucet handle to get a smooth spray of the water stream but the faucet sprays water everywhere. This situation is not good and creates a mess around the sink. To fix the faucet spray, first, you should understand why the faucet is spraying water everywhere.

In most cases, mineral buildup or worn-out parts are responsible for water spraying everywhere from the faucet.

If the water sprays all around from the spray head, the reason might be a clogged aerator.

An aerator is built with lots of small holes and is located at the end of the spray head. It is used to regulate the water flow and generate a powerful stream of water. But with time, buildup creates around the aerator holes.

Buildup blocks holes and water doesn’t get the proper way to come out. When it happens, you will see water splashing all over the sink from the spray head. The aerator holes are very tiny in size so with little debris or buildup, they will be blocked.

Another cause of faucet spraying water everywhere is uneven water pressure. Water flow fluctuates due to high or low water pressure. Uneven water pressure changes the way water will come out from the spray head. Due to this, the faucet will spray water in different directions.

If you see water spraying from the handle, it will happen due to damaged O-rings or a washer in the handle. The washer is built with rubber and with time it is worn out and doesn’t work properly.

How To Fix a Kitchen Faucet That Sprays Everywhere?

Fixing a faucet that sprays water everywhere is a simple process. Check the condition of the aerator. If you find any buildup on the aerator, you need to clean it.

To fix this faucet problem, you need to clean the aerator. For this, vinegar, warm water, and a toothbrush are required tools and materials. These are common household items that are easily available.

Now you need to remove the aerator from the faucet. Most aerator comes out when you turn them with your hand. If your aerator is stubborn, use an adjustable wrench to unscrew the aerator.

Before using a wrench, make sure you have covered the spray head and aerator with a cloth or tap to prevent scratches. Turn it in a counterclockwise direction to loosen the aerator and then pull it with your hand.

Now fill a bowl with the white vinegar and warm water into equal quantities. According to the buildup, you can increase the quantity of vinegar in water. Now place the aerator into the solution and let it be there for around 30 minutes.

Now it’s time to clean the spray head. Clean the spray head from inside and outside. Sometimes people forget to clean it from the inside and the water spraying problem doesn’t get solved.

Take a toothbrush, dip it into the vinegar and water mixture, and scrub it inside and outside of the spray head. You may do it for a few minutes until you don’t see a clean spray head from both sides.

Clean the aerator and pull out the spray head with water to remove the vinegar. Make sure there is no buildup on the aerator and faucet spray head. If there is still some buildup, you need to do this process again.

If water is spraying everywhere due to water pressure, you need to fix the water pressure of the house.

If the water pressure is high, use a pressure regulator to control high water pressure. High water pressure is also dangerous for the plumbing system of the house. With a pressure regulator, you can reduce the water pressure and bring it to near the optimal pressure.

If the water pressure is low then either there is a leakage in the plumbing of the house or the pipes are corroded. Do an inspection of the house plumbing to find out the cause and repair the leak or replace the corroded part.

If you see the faucet spraying water everywhere from the handle, it’s time to repair the handle. Use a screwdriver or an adjustable wrench to remove the handle. Once you remove the handle, check its O-rings or washer condition and replace them if they are damaged. It will prevent water spraying everywhere.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind while fixing your faucet:

• To prevent any accidents or water damage, cut off the water supply before disassembling the faucet.
• To make putting the faucet back together easier, make a note of the order in which you remove the components.
• If necessary, remove obstinate nuts or screws with a wrench or pliers, but take care not to harm the surrounding region or other components of the faucet.

What To Do When Kitchen Faucet Is Spraying Water From Base?

If the kitchen faucet sprays water from the base, this is probably due to a damaged gasket.

After turning off the water supply to the faucet, open the connections of the faucet from the base. Now use a wrench to remove the mounting nut of the faucet. To remove this nut, go under the sink and loosen it with a wrench.

Come upside down the sink and lift the faucet from its place. Here you also need to remove the escutcheon plate. Now change the damaged gasket. Reattach the faucet and tighten its nut from under the sink. Turn on the water to see if the water is still spraying or not.

Is It Safe To Continue Using Faucet If It’s Spraying Water Everywhere?

If your faucet is spraying water everywhere still you can use it. But it might not be a good idea to use the faucet in this condition.

The spraying water creates a mess around the faucet and sink. Also, it wastes lots of water and increases the water bill. Spraying water might go into the cabinets and other appliances on the countertop.

Do I Need To Replace My Entire Faucet If It’s Spraying Water Everywhere?

In most cases, you don’t need to replace the entire faucet. You just need to clean the aerator or spray head and replace the faulty part in the handle. By doing this your water spraying problem will be solved. If the faucet is broken then you need to replace it.

James Lewis

James Lewis is a seasoned plumber and faucet enthusiast who shares his expertise on Faucetsavvy.com. With over 15 years of experience in the plumbing industry, he’s passionate about helping homeowners find the perfect faucet for their needs. He’s also dedicated to empowering DIY enthusiasts with the plumbing knowledge and skills needed to repair and maintain their faucets.