7 Reasons Why Faucets Have Aerators!

Aerators are small mesh discs that cover the opening of our spout. They’re prevalent in all kinds of faucets, from the kitchen to the bathroom.

But why do faucets have aerators? What is the purpose of such small equipment?

Well, faucets need an aerator to conserve water. It also mixes the water with air to give it a smoother texture. Moreover, this equipment is excellent if you want to cancel all the noises in your sink and ensure filtered water. The needs for an aerator in a faucet are many.

In this article, I will give you all the reasons why your sink needs an aerator and what its benefits are. If you want to find out more, read below.

Why Do You Need an Aerator on a Faucet?

Aerators are basic in all kinds of faucets. But it’s not often that you wonder what its use is. Why do you need this small mesh disc in your spout when water runs just fine without it?

Don’t worry if you have this question in mind. I am here to tell you everything about the faucet aerator’s purpose.

Let’s take a look at the causes behind an aerator below.

1. Makes Water Softer

If your spout did not have an aerator, all the water would instantly fall on your hands.

Such a heavy amount of water would put a lot of pressure on your skin. On the other hand, an aerator mixes oxygen with water and gives it a soft texture.

As a result, whenever you touch the water, it feels smooth on your skin, and you feel comfortable using it.

You’ll notice that the water from a garden hose does not feel the same as the water flowing from the bathroom sink.

The reason behind this difference in texture is the presence of an aerator.

2. Reduces Water Volume

Aerators are a terrific way to save water. It helps you use as much water as you need and be cost-effective at the same time.

The tool reduces the amount of water that flows out, keeping it at a decent amount instead of allowing excessive flow.

This prevents users from using an unnecessary amount of water. You can also save the money that goes behind wasting that water.

3. Maintains Water Pressure

Although the mesh disc reduces water flow, it maintains the pressure the water needs. Since the aerator acts as an obstacle to the water flowing out, high pressure is created at the back of the mesh. There comes a low pressure on the exterior part.

It causes the water to flow out with heavy pressure from the spout and maintains the necessary force.

4. Prevents Splashing

Another main reason faucets have aerators is that it prevents water from splashing on the sink. If you don’t have an aerator, splashing can cause a significant problem.

Without it, water flows out of the spout at high speed and pressure, causing it to bump straight into the sink’s walls. This splashing can wet us, our whole sink, and go as far as ruining other kitchen utensils.

An aerator helps avoid this by creating numerous streamlines within the water instead of just one. As a result, the water, as a whole, flows out with lesser speed and each streamlined splash cancels the other out.

They instead maintain a smooth flow down the sink.

5. Creates a Shape

Everyone likes a fancy faucet from which water flows out smoothly and looks and feels good. You wouldn’t want a spout that abruptly releases water and gives a haphazard outlook.

This is another reason why aerators exist. They force the water to flow out in the shape of the spout hole uniformly and stylishly. Moreover, they make the water feel lighter and provide a wide streamline, which is very soothing to the eyes.

6. Noise Cancellation

Without an aerator, water flowing out of a faucet may make a lot of superficial sounds. It murmurs or creates whistling sounds while falling out, which is unpleasant to the ears.

An aerator accumulates all the water before it falls and mixes it with air. As a result, it can cancel all the unnecessary and unpleasant sounds and make your faucet have a smooth flow.

7. Filters Impurities

Last but not least, an aerator’s most basic work is to filter the water from debris and impurities. These mesh discs act like just any other filtration system by having the ability to obstruct pollutants.

They may not be able to remove microparticles. But if your waterline can flow out visible sediments and dirt, your aerator will ensure it doesn’t see the day’s light.

Therefore, these are the many reasons why faucets need an aerator. They have many benefits and ensure the best quality of delivering water.

Is It Ok To Remove Aerator From Faucet To Clean It?

The reasons behind having an aerator are many. One of them is filtering the water. For this reason, over time, a lot of dirt accumulates within the mesh and it needs periodic cleaning.

In such situations, cleaning a faucet aerator by removing it is very common. You will not cause any damage to the spout or the aerator itself if you remove it. If you have a hidden aerator, you need a key to remove it before cleaning.

Recessed faucet aerator removal without key is also possible. In that case, you need some extra equipment to remove it.

To clean the mesh, you need toothbrush and vinegar. The whole process takes only about half an hour. So, you can reinstall the mesh after cleaning quickly.

Can You Use Faucet Without An Aerator?

Another question people commonly ask me is whether they can use their faucet without an aerator.

Well, yes, using a kitchen faucet without the aerator will work fine. Your faucet will still be releasing water. But keep in mind that you will be wasting a lot of water in such cases. Your usage may increase by 15% to 20%.

Splashing in the kitchen may also occur. These are some of the very reasons why people opt for an aerator in their faucets. Not having it doesn’t cause a life and death situation, but the losses are surely many.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How to remove recessed faucet aerator without a key?

Take some pliers and try to rotate your aerator counterclockwise. You should be able to remove the disc successfully.

2. Will my faucet have an aerator, or do I need to buy it externally?

Nowadays, most brands provide an aerator with their product. But if you have an old faucet system, it may not have one. You can easily buy an aerator from outside and install it in that case.

3. Which aerators are better- recessed or regular?

I prefer regular aerators that work like a screw over the recessed ones. They are much easier to install and remove, and you can do so with bare hands. No additional tools needed.

4. Can I choose the type of water flow my aerator has?

Yes, aerators can have different kinds of flow of water based on their type. For example, laminar flow gives water with less amount of air. Spray aerators, on the other hand, have distinct streamlines.

Final Words

Aerators have many benefits in a spout. It increases the water pressure, helps you save energy, prevents splashing, and does many other things.

Even though it’s a small piece of equipment, its role in a spout is huge. So, why do faucets have aerators?

By reading this article, you now know the answer. If you plan to install an aerator in your spout, you should do so immediately, as the advantages are uncountable.