How to Repair a Kitchen Sink Sprayer Hose

Repairing a kitchen sink sprayer hose is an easy do-it-yourself repair. Repairing your own kitchen sink sprayer hose can save you considerable money as plumbers often charge a minimum fee between $50 and $100 for a service call, then add on an hour's labor and premium prices for parts.

Instead of calling the plumber to repair your faulty kitchen sink sprayer hose, resolve to do it yourself. The actual repair process is a quick one, even for a novice, and the entire process of shopping for parts and installing them is likely to take a hour or less.

Repairing a Kitchen Sink Sprayer Hose: Diagnosis

Diagnosing why the kichen sink sprayer hose doesn't work properly is the first step in the repair process. It's possible the problem is not with the sprayer hose but with a clogged aerator or diverter valve. Either of those problems can decrease water pressure to the kitchen sink sprayer hose.

To check the aerator, unscrew it from the sprayer head and check it for mineral deposits. If mineral deposits have formed on the aerator, clean the aerator with a soft brush and cleaning solution.

Checking the diverter valve requires turning off the water supply. To access the diverter valve, you will need to remove the faucet water spout with plyers. Like the aerator, the diverter spout can be cleaned with a brush and cleaning solution if clogged. If the diverter valve is defective, you can follow these instructions provided at the "This Old House" website for replacing the diverter valve.

If the aerator and diverter valve are functioning properly but the sprayer hose is not, the problem is with the sprayer hose unit. Check the hose portion for leaks, cracks or wear; if the hose portion is faulty, you can replace only the hose portion. Otherwise replace the entire kitchen sink sprayer hose unit.

DIY Kitchen Sink Sprayer Hose Repair

The hose is easily replaced by unscrewing it on both ends and screwing in the replacment hose. Take care to turn off the water supply before replacing the hose and to place the hose end over a bucket to drain any water in the hose when unscrewing it.

If you are replacing the entire kitchen sink sprayer hose, the first step is to turn off the water supply. Unscrew the sprayer hose from the faucet sprayer nipple (accessed through the cupboard underneath the sink). The faucet sprayer nipple is the link between the faucet and the sprayer hose. Drain the water from the hose.

Unscrew the mounting nut holding the sprayer base. Now you can remove the entire kitchen sink sprayer unit and replace it, following the removal instructions in reverse.

Following these simple instructions will allow you to fix your kitchen sink sprayer house without the need to call a plumber.

Sources: http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/video/0,,20047177,00.html; http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=howTo&p=Improve/KitSpray.html.