A Head Scratcher

Here's a weird one for ya. Lived in this place for 28 years, and much of it is still the same cheap junk used to build cheap houses. I have an odd kitchen sink/water issue. The sprayer stopped working years ago, and I did nothing about it because I have planned on remodeling the kitchen forever, and my body does not bend and fit into places it once did many moons ago. Anyhow, that's not the issue, though it may be related.

About a year or so ago, at random times, the water pressure slowly will decrease, over the day or two, to where it is literally just dripping even though the tap is wide open. Happens both with hot or cold. After months of just trying everything to get the water to flow again, (aside from the obvious of replacing the sink and fixtures, because I would rather do other stuff) I stumbled across a solution. If I go into the bathroom which is about 6-feet from the kitchen sink, and I open the faucet wide open, then close it quickly a couple times creating a water hammer, the water in the kitchen sink will flow as normal again. Now, after a career in the pipe fitting trade, I know this is a dumb idea (solution,) but what can I say...other than I am too lazy to fix it correctly.

This has been going on for more than a year, and it almost seems akin to a vapor lock you might have happen on the old cars I used to own/work on. I am not sure what causes it though. I would say it was sprayer related, but that stopped working at least a decade ago, and the water flow issue only started in the last 18-months or so. I am wondering if anyone has any ideas of the problem here. I know I am a fool for not just replacing the stuff, but I just don't like the idea of buying a new sink and fixtures when I would just end up trashing the stuff in the (hopefully) near future when the kitchen gets redone.

I am hoping it is something cheap and quick to fix, like a new valve cartridge or something like that, but I don't know where to start. Anyone have any ideas on what is going on here, besides the fact that I am an idiot for doing what I am doing and not just fixing it correctly? I did replace the little spring-loaded ball bearing things in the faucet, but that was also many years prior to this issue. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Also, feel free to call me a moron, as I say it myself at least once a day for some bonehead thing I do. Thanks.

Snoonyb said:

Well, now that the recriminations are over with, the process I would suggest will be simple, but time consuming.

1st, is the spray integral with the faucet, or a side spray, occupying a separate sink hole?

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I am a bit confused on the terminology, but I think it is integral. The sprayer hose is connected to a hard copper "Y" that goes up into the faucet handle. Inside the faucet handle are the two spring seals I replaced years ago. In my original post, I called them spring-loaded ball bearings. Thinking back on it, it was two little rubber seals, one for each for hot and cold. But the sprayer seems to connect in the "Y" that is just below the faucet, and just under the rim of the underside of the sink. Does that make sense???

When this first started, the sprayer is what came to mind, but it died so very long ago, at least 10-years, that I did not think that was the cause. What do you think? Getting my body into the cabinet, and trying to reach up into that small space to disconnect and replace the sprayer just seemed like such a hassle for and item that was not greatly used. But, if that stops the issue, and I can quit trying to bust my cheap plumbing by creating water hammers, I will squeeze my awkward way into the space.

If your faucet slows to a trickle, remove one of the two supply lines, and place it into a bucket, then turn it on. If the water has pressure into the bucket, then it is your faucet. If I an already under the sink, I'd remove said "dead" faucet, and replace the entire damn thing, instead of looking for the choke point.

Snoonyb said:

Thanks, it is integral, and replacing the sprayer assembly would be my conclusion, if those parts are still available. There should be a stamped mfg. I.D. of the product, generally, near the base of the faucet spout stem.

YEP, I'm 83, so a well padded moving blanket helps.

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Thanks for the help, Snoonyb!! I guess I will give it a shot. It will not be a huge expense, other than the cost of what it will do to my back. 83, wow!! Congrats on a long life to you!! You have 20-years on me, and I cannot imagine another 2 decades of dealing with every joint in my body hurting every single day. Had a few accidents at work, and my back and legs are a mess. But for all those whom have made it through a long life, such as yourself, I tip my hat to you all. Thanks again!!

I do have normal pressure at the two supply valves in the wall. I checked that back when this first started. So, I am fairly confident that it is either the faucet or the sprayer, or combination of the two. Every dang thing in the kitchen needs replacing, sans appliances, as it is all the original junk from when we bought this place new almost 30-years ago. I suppose, really, that I should just replace the sink and faucet with some more cheap junk until we get our act together and remodel the whole thing. At least that will eliminate my dumb "fix" for this problem. And who knows, since the wife and I have completely different tastes on EVERYTHING, we may never get around to remodeling a dang thing. That's why I stick to working on outside stuff, because she does not care nor know about plants/landscaping.

Thanks to both of you for giving me a starting point, and possibly motivating me to at least replace a sprayer that I should be able to tackle!

Many sprayers have a sediment filter up there. Keep it simple.