Clogged faucets

[EMPIRE231]

So the bedroom sink and bathroom sink (faucets, not drains) in my 2007 discovery are clogged up. Guessing calcium build up from low use. I unscrewed the caps, so it is not that causing the blockage.

does anyone have an easier remedy to this problem, before I pull the fixtures out??

[BFlinn181]

If you've unscrewed and removed the aerators and they're still clogged, you could try pumping vinegar into the lines. Let it sit a couple of hours and see if the flow is any better. You must have really hard water to get build up in the lines. Have you drained and flushed the water heater? It also could benefit from a vinegar soak if hard water is the source.

[z3406]

If the low flow is when running on the water pump check the inline strainer located on the water pump. also make sure both of the external shower faucets are closed if they are open the water can divert pressure there.

[EMPIRE231]

both cold and hot water flowing freely from the kitchen sink and the shower. I'm pretty sure it is just build up in the smaller faucets (bedroom and bathroom). it is the same on hookups or of the pump.

I'll try the vinegar or maybe some CLR before I take everything apart.

[JimmyB2]

Same flow if you unscrew the aerator and then run water?

[BFlinn181]

Originally Posted by EMPIRE231

both cold and hot water flowing freely from the kitchen sink and the shower. I'm pretty sure it is just build up in the smaller faucets (bedroom and bathroom). it is the same on hookups or of the pump.

I'll try the vinegar or maybe some CLR before I take everything apart.

The pipe size is usually the same in all plumbing, not sure why smaller faucets would have reduced flow. Check the strainer in the line between the tank and the pump. Do you also see the same flow issues when connected to city water? Very unusual for mineral deposits to build up in PEX or plastic lines unless you've had many cycles of draining and leaving lines empty. If your system uses a manifold to distribute water, make sure all the valves are open in the manifold.

[EMPIRE231]

Originally Posted by BFlinn181

The pipe size is usually the same in all plumbing, not sure why smaller faucets would have reduced flow. Check the strainer in the line between the tank and the pump. Do you also see the same flow issues when connected to city water? Very unusual for mineral deposits to build up in PEX or plastic lines unless you've had many cycles of draining and leaving lines empty. If your system uses a manifold to distribute water, make sure all the valves are open in the manifold.

I'm thinking the buildup is in the actual faucet fixture... not the pex lines.

[EMPIRE231]

Originally Posted by JimmyB2

Same flow if you unscrew the aerator and then run water?

yep!

[nothermark]

Given that the other faucets flow OK and that one does not with the aerator removed I would be looking at removing the valve bodies. Most newer ones use some type of rotary valve with a small hole to limit flow. That produces another potential clog point.

FWIW I'd shut off the water and pull the valve bodies then put a bucket over the open valves and turn the pump back on to push out any crude. Yes, it will make a mess. Have some towels handy. If it does not make a mess I would suspect crimped tubing somewhere.

[txcpl]

Is the low flow from both HOT and COLD water?

[EMPIRE231]

Originally Posted by txcpl

Is the low flow from both HOT and COLD water?

yes

[Mason Dixon]

I had a similar issue with our kitchen faucet. When I disassembled it I found the clog was in the only part of the faucet that was not removable so I just replaced the entire faucet. I got a similar unit from a big box store and was back in business in about one hour. Good luck and safe travels!

[EMPIRE231]

So I finally got around to fixing these. Wen't to home depot to just buy replacements, and they were around $80+ each for a similar style. The factory installed faucets were nice moen fixtures... Instead of doing that, I decided I had a Sunday with nothing to do, so I went back home and took apart the old fixtures.

soaked them in CLR for about 10 minutes
rinsed with water
Soaked them in vinegar for about 10 minutes
rinsed with water
hit everything with about 120PSI compressed air... it cleared everything out.

then I realized I could actually just disassemble each lever, and remove the inner cartridge (I checked before removing them from the sink, there were no set screws or caps... the base just screws onto the fixture) So I did a little further cleaning, compressed air... and reassembled everything, and it is all working good as new.

saved myself about $200 ... and know know I can save a bunch of time by just unscrewing the lever & cartridge without having to mess with any of the plumbing or removing of the whole fixture.