Clogged Faucets

richie11

We just had plumbing work done. While the water was off, a city main broke upstream. When we turned our water on, sediment was pushed into our plumbing. Most fixtures work fine, but our kitchen and bathroom faucets are clogged. We have already checked the aerators and replaced the bathroom faucet and these two are still clogged. We are still getting sediment a week later, but these are the only real trouble spots. Is it in the line? We suspect that the clog is in a turn in the line but are not sure where. Does anyone have any ideas as to how to clear this? Are we doomed to cut the line and hope to find the clog? Help! Thanks in advance.

Rich

Mike Swearingen

The sediment is most likely trapped in the shut-off valves or the faucets themselves.
Turn the shut-off valves off, disconnect the lines at the faucet, aim the lines into a bucket and turn the water on briefly to flush out the shut-off valves and lines.
Then, with the water still turned off at the shut-off valves, reconnect the water lines, disassemble the faucets, put a towel over them, and turn the water on again very briefly to flush out the faucet valves.
Good Luck!
Mike

richie11

Ok, I will try flushing out the supply lines first and if that doesn't work then disassemble the faucet. Do you mean take off the handles and pull out the cartridges and remove the center spout and the spout bushing? This is for the kitchen which the faucet is 4 years old.

richie11

The low flow diverter under the bushing in the spout was fouled. I cleared the supply lines as recommended and pulled the handle cartridges. They were ok. Thanks for your help and advice. I am learning so much!!