If your kitchen faucet is stuck in spray mode, it reduces the ability of the sprayer. You can’t change the spray mode of the sprayer. You can only use a single mode. It might happen due to a faulty button, buildup inside the sprayer button, or faulty diverter.
Kitchen faucets come with different spray modes. Some have dual modes and some have triple spray modes. Different modes add more functionality to the faucet.
But when you can’t change the spray mode, it makes washing and cleaning worse. By fixing a stuck sprayer of the faucet, you can get back to the spray mode in normal condition.
Why Is Your Kitchen Faucet Not Diverting Between Spray Functions?
Your Faucet Diverter Is Faulty
In the faucet, the diverter valve controls the flow of water between the faucet and the spray head. The diverter valve is a tiny part inside the faucet.
The diverter valve changes the spray mode when you press the spray button. This diverter valve is made of plastic. With time it gets damaged. If the diverter is faulty or damaged, it won’t be able to work. The result is the spray mode will stuck at one position.
Your Faucet Sprayer Button Is Damaged
For every multi-spray mode faucet, there is a spray button on the faucet spray head. When you press the button, the spray mode is changed.
Every day we use faucets multiple times a day. In washing, we need different spray modes to wash dishes quickly. To change the spray mode, we need to press the spray button.
With every press, the life of the spray button is reduced. The life of the spray button depends on the quality of its material. The spray button in your faucet might work for a few months or a few years according to its quality.
When the spray button is damaged, you won’t be able to change the spray mode of the faucet. You need to replace this damaged spray button.
The Aerator of The Sprayer Is Clogged
Another reason for a stuck spray head is the clogged aerator. A clogged aerator is quite common in many kitchens due to the use of hard water.
Mineral buildups in the water accumulate around aerator holes. These buildups block holes and water doesn’t come out. You try to change the spray mode but due to clogged holes, you only get the same water spray pattern in every mode.
3 Solutions For Kitchen Faucet Stuck on Spray Mode Issue
In the above section, I have told 3 different reasons for a stuck faucet spray mode. Now here are solutions for all these issues.
Fix Faulty Diverter Valve
Start with turning off the water supply to the faucet. To check the faulty diverter valve, you need to remove the faucet handle. Remove the nut of the faucet handle using a wrench.
After removing the nut, pull the handle outside. Now you can see the diverter valve. This valve often sits near the faucet’s base.
Check the condition of the diverter valve. If you find any damage to the valve, replace it with a new one.
Install the new diverter valve inside the faucet. Align the valve at its location and reattach the faucet handle. Tighten the nut of the handle.
Clean The Clogged Aerator
Cleaning the clogged aerator not only fixes the stuck spray mode issue but also improves the water pressure.
To clean the aerator, remove it from the faucet spray head. To remove the aerator, you may use your hand, wrench, or aerator removal key. When the aerator comes out, you can clean it easily.
Take a bowl and fill it with half vinegar and half water. Soak the aerator into the bowl and leave it for a few hours. Later take out the aerator from the bowl.
There might be some holes that are still blocked. Use a toothbrush to rub those holes to open them. At the end, rinse the aerator with clean water. Now all holes are opened, so reattach the aerator to the faucet.
Get Instant Solutions For Your Home Issues For Free - Chat With Experts
Get Paid For Your Opinion With Online Surveys - Start Earning
Replace or Repair The Damaged Spray Button
- Turn off the water supply to the kitchen faucet.
- Remove the hose’s spray head. To remove it turn the spray head in an anticlockwise direction.
- Check the condition of the spray button on the spray head. Check the button from the inside and outside.
- Use pliers or a screwdriver to delicately remove the button if it is broken.
- Visit a hardware shop or manufacturer to get a replacement button.
- Now attach the new button in the place of old button. Make sure the position of the button is correct and it is working smoothly.
- Now reattach the spray head to the faucet.
How Do I Know If My Kitchen Faucet Diverter Is Bad?
The diverter in the kitchen faucet is essential to change the flow of the water. When the condition of the diverter is not good, you can’t use the faucet with its full functionality, and your faucet spray is stuck in one position.
There are some signs that indicate the bad condition of the diverter.
The first sign is that you are not able to change the spray mode. You press the spray button to change the mode but you won’t be able to change the spray mode. The diverter changes the flow of the water but now the condition of the diverter is not good. So, your faucet spray mode is stuck at one position due to a bad diverter.
Another sign is the low water flow from the faucet. You will find the water flow to the sprayer is significantly lower than usual. The bad diverter won’t fully redirect the water to the spray head.
Different Spray Modes of The Faucet
Spray Mode
When air is mixed with water, it creates an aerated spray pattern. This mode creates a softer bubbly flow of the water.
The spray mode uses less water to clean dishes and saves water. In most faucets, the spray mode is the default setting.
When you turn on the water flow, it will come out in spray mode from the faucet. This mode is good for washing hands, rinsing dishes, and general cleaning.
Stream Mode
This is a popular mode that gives high water pressure for heavy cleaning tasks. Water flow in this mode is strong and steady. Cleaning tasks that require more water pressure can be completed in stream mode.
With this mode, you can fill pots and pans. It helps you to remove larger food debris from dishes. In stream mode, the spray is not much wider. Spray is focused at the center.
Pause Mode
When we clean dishes, we turn on the faucet and let the water run during the whole cleaning process. In this process, lots of water is wasted and you get a high water bill. Also, water wastage is not good for the earth.
To deal with this situation, some brands started to give pause mode with their faucets. When you turn on pause mode, it stops the water flow. So, during washing, when you don’t need water, you can switch the spray mode to the pause setting. It will save lots of water.
Shower Spray
This spray mode is good when you need less water. Rinsing fruits and vegetables and cleaning the sink requires less water. The shower spray mode produces a wide and gentle flow of water. Due to its spray pattern, it creates fewer splashes on the countertop.
Power Spray
In some cleaning tasks, you need more power of water spray. With power spray mode, you get a high-pressure stream of water that is ideal for performing heavy-duty cleaning tasks. It easily washes stubborn stains from dishes. When you need to clean greasy and dirty dishes, change the spray mode to power spray.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where Is The Spray Diverter In The Faucet?
In faucets, the diverter valve is placed inside the faucet handle and near the base of the faucet.
Can You Use the Kitchen Faucet Without The Sprayer?
Yes, you can use a kitchen faucet without using the sprayer. Without a sprayer, you get less flexibility from the faucet. It depends on you whether you want to use a faucet with a sprayer or not.
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.