Kitchen Sink Insufficient Flow

[wizardgmb]

I have an eight year old American Standard kitchen facet with hand spray. For several months the flow from this faucet and the spray has declined despite cleaning the aerator. Using hot or cold or both doesn't make a difference. Now we are getting less than a pencil stream out of the faucet and it takes forever to fill a pot. The rest of the faucets in the house put out sufficient volume as do the showers. One other item of note is that if I press down on the spout there is a slight leak at the base of the spout.

Is it possible the spray diverter valve isn't moving properly and preventing full volume from reaching either the spout or the spray? If not that what else? Should I just rebuild or replace the faucet?

Kitchen Faucet Scaled

• wizardgmb
• Mar 5, 2019

My American Standard kitchen faucet

 

[wizardgmb]

I finally figured out how to add an image of the faucet.

 

[jeffmattero76]

I only use Moen, so I am not familiar with other brands. However, that sounds like there is some type of debris blocking the line. Do you have the same result when all hot is on as you do when all cold is on? If so, the debris is likely inside the faucet. Look online for the owners manual, and, after shutting off the water, pull the cartridge. Once you have it out, put an upside down cup above the cartridge opening, and turn the water back on for a few seconds. Note that water will come out forcefully, so that is probably a two person job. One to turn on the water and the other to hold the cup. Do that for both the hot and the cold supplys. That will blow out and debris that might be there. If that doesn't solve it, call American Standard. Most manufacturers have a lifetime guarantee, and will send a new cartridge for free. At least, that is what Moen does.

 

[wizardgmb]

- The problem is the same for either hot or cold or any combination.

I got a parts diagram from AS yesterday and the CSR recommended replacing both cartridges. AS has a lifetime cartridge warranty BUT only if one has an original purchase receipt. Therefore I ordered cartridges and an aerator from Amazon this morning. I considered buying them from Chicago Faucet Shop but they wanted $25 to ship 6oz of parts "economy" by FedEx, the worst carrier in the country!

I'll purge the lines as suggested then replace the cartridges and aerator. Good news or bad, I'll report back.

Regards,
George

 

[wizardgmb]

I purged the lines and replaced the cartridges a few days ago but there was no improvement in the flow rate. I guess I'mm back to my original supposition that the diverter valve is stuck midway in its travel. I will be ordering a new diverter and a couple of spout wear parts in the coming days and will report back after I install them.

 

[jeffmattero76]

You may wish to consider returning the parts you ordered, and simply 8nstalling a new faucet.

 

[wizardgmb]

It's a little too late to return the parts, the packaging was a pain to open and has since gone to the transfer station. My wife is really partial to this faucet, so if I can fix it that were be the preferred solution to the problem.

 

[TomFOhio]

Try taking the spout off and see if the divertor is plugged.