HELP!! I am a single mom of three and my sink sprayer is stuck on so I cannot use the kitchen sink. I am fairly "handy" and able to use tools. Can anyone advise me on how to fix this!

It just sprays when you open the faucet, right? For a quick fix, with the water turned off, cut the hose off, jam a bolt into the end of the hose, and clamp the hose to the bolt. The bolt needs to fit tightly and have an unthreaded section next to the head. Then the next time you are out anywhere that has pluming supplies, buy a new hose sprayer. Even Wal-Mart likely has then, if not, a hardware or home center. The connection to the faucet may vary. Take a good look at the old one before buying a new one. Maybe even take it off and take it with you to match up the new one. Old fittings are sometimes hard to get loose. Clean up the outside and apply any light oil you have. Spray penetrating oil is best. If nothing else an ammonia cleaner. Tapping on a fitting with a hammer will help loosen it. Take you time and work with it. Find a wrench that fits it. If you round off the fitting, or twist it off, you may make a big project of it.

I don't think you should need to shut the water to the sink off, but if you do, there my be valves in the water line close to it. If not, use the main shut off where the water comes into the house.

I really hate to disagree with labman because he has given such good advice in the past but the problem doesn't lay in the spray unit. You have water coming out of just one side, right? You have a diverter that's stuck. Let me explain what happens.  The sprayer is under pressure all the time when you open the faucet.  The water comes out of the spout until you open the sprayer.  When you turn on the sprayer the diverter closes and shuts off the flow to the spout.  Your diverter is stuck in the shut off position if no water comes out of the spout.  Capping off the sprayer with a bolt and a hose clamp will simply leave you in the same spot you were in before. If the water comes out of the spout and not the spray head then unscrew the spray head. Turn on the faucet and hold your thumb over the open hose. If the diverter's working thenthe water will divert to the spout and the screens in the sprayer are clogged. But the way you described it you couldn't get water out of the spout. How do we repair this? Not knowing the make and model of the faucet,  I can only give you general instructions.  For more I will have to know what I'm dealing with.   First shut the water off under the cabinet.  Then open up the faucet to the point where you can remove the spout.  The diverter assembly  is the gismo located at the base of the spout.   Clean out any trash you may find down there and take the diverter assembly into a plumbing shop for a replacment.  Reassemble everything, test and you're back in business.  Your only other option would be to replace the faucet.  As a last resort before I tore everything up I would beat on the base of the spout,  with something that won't mar the chrome, and attempt to jar the diverter back into position so it will start to work.  If you wish detailed instructions, give me the name brand, (a model# wouild be nice) and about how old it is.  Hope this helps, (Sorry Lab!)  

Well, I somewhat determined and understand what you are saying. Befoe I logged on to read your reply, I decided to investigate a little further. I did bang a bit on the spout and housings but to no avail (banging is ALWAYS my first attempt)! So I unscrewed the sprayer. The water still keeps spraying out of what is now the hose. When I close off the hose (w/my finger or force it closed by placing it tightly down on the bottom of the sink Viola! The water returns to the spout... now what my question is... do I need to now replace the hole sprayer unit or could it just be the sprayer head?? I'm now thinking as I am typing how dumb that sounds it probably is all one unit right?

It would only take a few moments of your time to look. You might even try soaking the old head in vinegar or even toilet bowl cleaner. If it is sticking because it is limed up, that might fix it.

On the diverter. What I am familiar with must be a cheaper version where squeezing the lever on the sprayer merely opens the valve allowing the water to come out both the tap and sprayer.

Good girl! :D You have just isolated the problem. Ya lucked out. You won't have to tear the faucet down. Your diverter's doing what it should. The problem is in the sprayer. You have three options open. Sprayers are not all that expensive to replace or you can try tearing into the sprayer,( it's not all one unit) and cleaning it or as labman suggested you can soak the sprayer in Lime Away, CLR or whatever you have to dissolve mineral buildup. Three cheers and kudos for sticking with it. ;D Tom

Hi,
I am also having problems with my sink sprayer. When using the sprayer I get half pressure in the sprayer and half in the faucet - which makes the sprayer not very useful. I did the suggested tests and the water all comes out the hose when I take the sprayer off and all out the faucet when I close it with my finger. When I put the sprayer back on, it works properly the first time and then goes back to low pressure. Also, sometimes moving the bar from hot to cold will get the pressure working properly. This has been happening since we replaced the whole faucet and sprayer a couple of years ago. I can't find a brand anywhere but it was bought at home depot. I'm guessing we have a faulty sprayer - would be grateful for any advice on how to solve the annoyance and the wasted water. Thanks!

Sounds more like a diverter that's sticking. If the spray head was faulty it would leak or not open up at all. To get at the diverter First shut the water off under the cabinet. Then open up the faucet to the point where you can remove the spout. The spout will pull up and off exposing the diverter at the base. The diverter assembly is the gismo located at the base of the spout. Clean out any trash you may find down there and take the diverter assembly into a plumbing shop for a replacment. More questions? I'm as close as a click. Tom

Thanks! I'll give it a try.

I feel this string is taking me in the right direction but my sink does something a little different. Turning on the hot or cold water starts a rapid on/off of water flow causing the entire faucet to shudder (can here it through the house) for about 5 seconds and then the water flows normally. Described it to the guy at my local Lowe's and he recommeded an air vent tube... But it only happens at my kitchen faucet. Also my sprayer stopped working. You press it and a short spray of water for a second and it stops... no water comes out of the faucet either, not until you turn the water handle off and then the faucet works again, with the shudder...

Is this my diverter? Any and all help is greatly appreciated... Can afford a plumber so I forge ahead :-)

-James :-/

 Sure sounds like you have a little trash lodged in the diverter seat causing the diverter to vibrate every time water passes it.   Try this, remove the sprayer head and turn on the water.  Water will now come out of the open hose.  Now put your thumb over the open hose and close it off.  Water should now be coming out of the spout.  If it doesn't vibrate then I would suppect the sprayer head. If it continues to vibrate then  you will have to take the faucet apart and check the diverter for anything that might be down there.   To get at the diverter  First shut the water off under the cabinet.  Then open up the faucet to the point where you can remove the spout.  The spout will pull up and off exposing the diverter at the base. The diverter assembly  is the little gismo located at the base of the spout.   Clean out any trash you may find down there and reassemble.   Hope this helps.  Regards Tom

I have the opposite problem. When I turn on the faucet nothing happens until I use the sprayer which works great. How do I unstick the dirverter?

I have the opposite problem. When I turn on the faucet nothing happens until I use the sprayer which works great. How do I unstick the dirverter?

I can answer better if I knew the brand name of your faucet and what type it is. One handle or two knobs? As a rule the diverter is located under the spout. To be more specific I'll need more details. Regards, Tom

You would think the manafacturer would put the company name somewhere in sight, but such is not the case. It has two handles, is washerless, and was probably the house brand for Builders Square.

You would think the manafacturer would put the company name somewhere in sight, but such is not the case. It has two handles, is washerless, and was probably the house brand for Builders Square.


You gave me a place to start. Remove the spout and pull it up and out. Now look down at the base. The diverter may look like a skirt over or a small flap in the base but that's where a diverter's located. Remove it and clean out all the openings. If it looks worn or beat up take it in to a plumbing shop and have the counter man see if he has a replacemrnt. Good luck, Tom

:confused: When I remove the spout there is a white plastic tube that sticks up a little over an inch. It has two notches opposed, and reasonable force does not pull it up. It's base appears to be sealed around the bottom. I can pull harder but Dad said I was as strong as a bull and almost as smart when I sheared off a headbolt on a motorcycle, so I hesitate. Opening the sprayer trigger, and applying air pressure through the tube also has no effect. Is the next step shopping?

:confused: When I remove the spout there is a white plastic tube that sticks up a little over an inch. It has two notches opposed, and reasonable force does not pull it up. It's base appears to be sealed around the bottom. I can pull harder but Dad said I was as strong as a bull and almost as smart when I sheared off a headbolt on a motorcycle, so I hesitate. Opening the sprayer trigger, and applying air pressure through the tube also has no effect. Is the next step shopping?

Is the next step shopping? Probably, if I can't get a brand name and some idea how old it is or a model I'm flying blind. What kind of bike? I used to build choppers up in Tampa back in the 60's. Regards, Tom

OK! Ive disassembled the unit. Small stick-on lable inside base plate says:
CR4827
GBA 87-002659N
Made in Tiwan
Likely it was installed around 1987. Tried to take photos and insert them. However I am also computer illiterate so I can't figure out how to load them.
The unfortunate bike was a 350cc Matchless popper. Great dirt bike. Also was riding a '36 VL Flathead with a suicide clutch. Dad had an old Henderson square four, and an Indian Squaw like he had ridden on the San Diego PD. If I could sell any of them now I could afford new plumbing, or at least a plumber. But I coulden't get any better help.

OK! Ive disassembled the unit. Small stick-on lable inside base plate says:
CR4827
GBA 87-002659N
Made in Tiwan
Likely it was installed around 1987. Tried to take photos and insert them. However I am also computer illiterate so I can't figure out how to load them.
The unfortunate bike was a 350cc Matchless popper. Great dirt bike. Also was riding a '36 VL Flathead with a suicide clutch. Dad had an old Henderson square four, and an Indian Squaw like he had ridden on the San Diego PD. If I could sell any of them now I could afford new plumbing, or at least a plumber. But I coulden't get any better help.

I might not be able to help with your diverter problem but back in the 60's I was a outlaw biker in Tampa. I was VP of The Evangelists Motor Cycle Club.
Ibuilt Harley choppers and rode a chopped 1948 Indian Super Chief. This was a righteous scooter that had a springer front end that I raked out 5 degrees and extended out 4",( too much and it was hard to handle in trafic.) 21" Avon front wheel, changed a right hand tank shift to a left hand jock shift and sawed the bottom half of the treadle clutch off, installed a return spring on the top half and had me a suicide clutch. My riding daze are long gone but remembered with fond memorys. Regards, Tom

Would have liked to see and admire your bike! I do not do too much riding anymore, except in an outboard. Used to ride with a club in the 50's in Southern California, won't mention the name in this venue. Got behind the deepsink,(A Mess for my arms) pulled the whole unit. The Dirverter is a pop-up at the bottom of the white tube I mentioned. I tried to free it up several ways, and worked with it, upon re-assembly the faucet worked until I tried the sprayer, where it stuck again. Great sprayer though!
Nice chatting with you, thanks again for the advice! Off to Lowe's!
Take Care! Don.

Would have liked to see and admire your bike! I do not do too much riding anymore, except in an outboard. Used to ride with a club in the 50's in Southern California, won't mention the name in this venue. Got behind the deepsink,(A Mess for my arms) pulled the whole unit. The Dirverter is a pop-up at the bottom of the white tube I mentioned. I tried to free it up several ways, and worked with it, upon re-assembly the faucet worked until I tried the sprayer, where it stuck again. Great sprayer though!!
Nice chatting with you, thanks again for the advice! Off to Lowe's!
Take Care! Don.
Hey Don, You rode with a club in the 50's?
WELCOME TO THE "OLD POOP" RETIRED BIKERS ASSOCIATION.
Good luck, Tom

"Old Poop" RBA. Sounds pretty good! Was doing most of my riding 5 da week fron San Fernando Valley to LACC downtown, when The Corps said: "Psssst! Want to shoot somebody in Korea?" Eleven years of Corps and ten of Army later. It was too late for clubs. The gov spells it "retired", but treats me retarded. Close enough! Like flying though, once you get a bike under your skin, it never goes away! True?

Hello All.. well I have a sprayer hose issue too. I can get some water out of the hose when I depress the handle, however, most of the water still comes out of the main faucet. I cleaned the sprayer pieces... soaked then in vinegar, checked the washers.. they look fine. I think I may have a diverter valve issue. Trouble is.. not sure HOW to get to the diverter valve. I have a Peerless Faucet. THere doesn't appear to be a way to take the faucet apart to expose the valve. Can someone explain that to me? How do you get to the diverter valve?

Hello All.. well I have a sprayer hose issue too. I can get some water out of the hose when I depress the handle, however, most of the water still comes out of the main faucet. I cleaned the sprayer pieces.... soaked then in vinegar, checked the washers.. they look fine. I think I may have a diverter valve issue. Trouble is.. not sure HOW to get to the diverter valve. I have a Peerless Faucet. THere doesn't appear to be a way to take the faucet apart to expose the valve. Can someone explain that to me? How do you get to the diverter valve?


Hi Painted lady, You aren't the lady I hooked up with last night are you? (Just kidding! )

A leaky faucet is usually easy for the do-it-yourselfer to repair. In most cases, no special tools are required. In some situations, a pipe wrench may be needed. Below is a list of tools you may need.

Adjustable Wrench
Pipe Wrench
The first step is to shut off the water leading to the faucet. Next, remove the handle (1). To remove most handles, locate the set screw (2) under the front and pull off. Sometimes the handles will be stuck on from soap. You can gently tap, or pry it off. You can now unscrew the knurled cap assembly (3). To keep the cap from being scratched, wrap in electrical tape first. If it won't come off, you will need to use a larger Pipe Wrench. DO NOT use a Vice grip. It will probably crush the cap, which is made from soft brass. You now are ready to pull the spout. Follow the dis-assembly instructions above, and also pull off the spout by lifting as you wiggle it back and forth. If your faucet has a spray hose, the control for this, the spray diverter (10), is located under the spout, as well. If the water comes out of the both the spout and sprayer, the spray diverter is usually the bad boy that needs replacing. Often people think that the spray head assembly is the problem when it is actually the spray diverter. I can't give you the diagram here, (not enough space) but if you give me your E-mail I'll send you a diagram. Regards, Tom
Good luck, Tom

Hi... I'm new here and it looks like a good place to be with good stuff and folks who know what they are talking about.

I have a leak at the sprayer connection that leaks "down" the hose when the faucet is turned on. I bought a new sprayer head and hooked it up with all the washers in place and tightened it good and still leaked. I thought it may be the thin wafer washer that was positioned on top of a spring keeper on the small plastic tube extension on the hose itself, so I removed the keeper and positioned the wafer washer below it and reinstalled the keeper. Then I put the fat washer on over the tube extension and screwed the head on. Still a leak down the hose when I turn on the faucet. Any ideas?

Hi...I'm new here and it looks like a good place to be with good stuff and folks who know what they are talking about.

I have a leak at the sprayer connection that leaks "down" the hose when the faucet is turned on. I bought a new sprayer head and hooked it up with all the washers in place and tightened it good and still leaked. I thought it may be the thin wafer washer that was positioned on top of a spring keeper on the small plastic tube extension on the hose itself, so I removed the keeper and positioned the wafer washer below it and reinstalled the keeper. Then I put the fat washer on over the tube extension and screwed the head on. Still a leak down the hose when I turn on the faucet. Any ideas??

Sounds like the leak isn't in the sprayer head but in the hose connection itself. Purchase a replacement hose and attach it to the bottom of the faucet and I'll bet your leak will disappear. Regards, Tom

Hi Painted lady, You aren't the lady I hooked up with last nite are you? (Just kidding!!)

A leaky faucet is usually easy for the do-it-yourselfer to repair. In most cases, no special tools are required. In some situations, a pipe wrench may be needed. Below is a list of tools you may need.

Adjustable Wrench
Pipe Wrench
The first step is to shut off the water leading to the faucet. Next, remove the handle (1). To remove most handles, locate the set screw (2) under the front and pull off. Sometimes the handles will be stuck on from soap. You can gently tap, or pry it off. You can now unscrew the knurled cap assembly (3). To keep the cap from being scratched, wrap in electrical tape first. If it won't come off, you will need to use a larger Pipe Wrench. DO NOT use a Vice grip. It will probably crush the cap, which is made from soft brass. You now are ready to pull the spout. Follow the dis-assembly instructions above, and also pull off the spout by lifting as you wiggle it back and forth. If your faucet has a spray hose, the control for this, the spray diverter (10), is located under the spout, as well. If the water comes out of the both the spout and sprayer, the spray diverter is usually the bad boy that needs replacing. Often people think that the spray head assembly is the problem when it is actually the spray diverter. I can't give you the diagram here, (not enough space) but if you give me your E-mail I'll send you a diagram. Regards, Tom
Good luck, Tom

I'm sorry Lady,
I gave you instructions for a one handled kitchen faucet. I wasn't aware you had a two handled one. Getting to the diverter in a two handled faucet is simpler then the one handle one. The diverter is located at the base of the spout. Look on top of the spout and you will see a chrome retaining nut. It may have knurled edges or look like a large hex but you have to unscrew it counterclockwise. Once you have it off you can then pull up and lift the spout right off. The gizmo that's in the base is the diverter. Clean out any crud that's in there clean up the diverter, reassemble and try again. No luck? Take the diverter into a plumbing store and ask them to replace it. I apologize for my misunderstanding. Regards, Tom

Hi,

This is my first post here. I am having a lot of trouble with my kitchen sprayer as well. Whenever I try to use the sprayer, no water will come out. Also, no water will come out of the faucet anymore unless I shut it off and wait for a few hours. This is really driving me crazy. My sink has the one faucet and two knobs for the hot and cold instead of the type where there is a lever on the faucet itself.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Mythos

Hi,

This is my first post here. I am having a lot of trouble with my kitchen sprayer as well. Whenever I try to use the sprayer, no water will come out. Also, no water will come out of the faucet anymore unless I shut it off and wait for a few hours. This is really driving me crazy. My sink has the one faucet and two knobs for the hot and cold instead of the type where there is a lever on the faucet itself.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Mythos


Good morning Mythros,

One thing at a time. Let's get you pressure on your faucet and then address the spray.
Turn off the water under the sink and open up the hot and cold sides and pull out the stem and washer assemblys. Shove a small wire down past the seat and into the supplies to break up any crud that's lurking down there. Nowlace a pan over the open valve to reduce splash and turn the water back on for a few seconds to flush out the lines. You should have a strong stream but if you don't shove the wire back down with the water still on and wiggle it around to break up any mineral deposits. If you have a strong stream out of both hot and cold then reassemble and if the faucet works get back to me and we'll work on the sprayer. Regards, Tom

Thanks Tom.

I tried what you said and had good pressure coming out of the lines themselves, but not when I hooked them back up to the faucet. I ended up replacing the faucet and everything works great. I guess I could have just replaced the diverter valve I've been reading about, but the faucet neck bolt was pretty much stuck on to the point that I could not remove it.

I know now what a diverter valve looks like because part of the instructions for the new faucet assembly was to remove the screen, neck, neck bolt, and use a coin to remove the diverter. Then put neck back on and run what out both sides full blast for a minute and check for leaks. Finally, if there are no leaks, reassemble and run the water. I followed all the directions carefully and am happy to report that I have good water pressure and that the sprayer works perfectly. I hope Peerless is a good brand because that is what I went with.

Thanks so much for the help.

Mythos

Thanks Tom.

I tried what you said and had good pressure coming out of the lines themselves, but not when I hooked them back up to the faucet. I ended up replacing the faucet and everything works great. I guess I could have just replaced the diverter valve I've been reading about, but the faucet neck bolt was pretty much stuck on to the point that I could not remove it.

I know now what a diverter valve looks like because part of the instructions for the new faucet assembly was to remove the screen, neck, neck bolt, and use a coin to remove the diverter. Then put neck back on and run what out both sides full blast for a minute and check for leaks. Finally, if there are no leaks, reassemble and run the water. I followed all the directions carefully and am happy to report that I have good water pressure and that the sprayer works perfectly. I hope Peerless is a good brand because that is what I went with.

Thanks so much for the help.

Mythos

You're entirely welcome Mythos,
Any time we can help! Peerless/Delta is a good name and make a fine product. Good luck, Tom

My problem isn't like these others. My boyfriend told me that the spayer on the kitchen didn't work, well today I forgot and I accidentally turned it on, and now there's no water coming out of the sprayer or faucet when I turn the water on. Is there someone who can help me?
Bridgette

Hi Bridgette,

" theres no water coming out of the sprayer or faucet when I turn the water on."

I need to know the brand name and the type, (One handle or two knobs?)also about how old is it?
Get back to me with the details I need and I'll answer ASAP. Tom

I'm not sure how old it is, probably not too old, its in a housing development sort of thing. It has one handle. The sink says Elegant by Moen, and the faucet says delta.

Thank you for the thought, but I kind of fixed the sink. Somehow it magicly started working again. I don't know what the problem was, but thank you.
Bridgette

My sink sprayer has a very bad smell... how can I fix it?

my sink sprayer has a very bad smell....how can i fix it?
Unscrew the sprayer head from the hose and soak it for a hour in a pan of bleach. Reassemble and try it now. All better? Tom

My faucet is brand new with a similar problem. Sprayer never really shuts off and dribbles water which will leak into cabinet below if nestled in its hole atop the sink. Some times running all hot water will get it to stop. Some times the water pressure is causing a noisy (ga ga ga ga) rhythmic spurting to come from the faucet. I have to keep the sprayer in the sink or risk a flood and some household members forget until water is running out the cabinet and onto the floor. From reading the posts here... it would seem that the divertor is faulty even though its brand new. :(