How to Backwash a Faucet

Mineral deposits and biofilm buildup inside a faucet cause discolored water and low water pressure. If this buildup remains, it leads to blocked pipes and potentially expensive plumbing problems. When your faucet begins to show signs of buildup, backwashing cleans out local water pipes using the line's own water pressure, leaving pipes open and improving water flow. This simple home task requires few tools and no specialized equipment.

Dime or dime-shaped slug

Instructions

- 1
  Close off the hot water line at the hot water heater. The hot water line may have a red handle on the shutoff valve; if not, touch the pipes and close off the valve on the pipe that is warm to the touch.
- 2
  Turn on the hot water on another faucet in your home, not the problem faucet. This empties the hot water line. If water does not stop coming out of the faucet, go back to the water heater and tighten the shutoff valve. Leave this faucet open.
- 3
  Twist the aerator cap on the slow faucet counterclockwise to loosen and remove this mesh screen. Place the slug over the screen, then set the aerator back in place by twisting it clockwise.
- 4
  Turn on the cold water tap and allow it to run for several minutes. The slug blocks the water from flowing into the faucet; this water flushes back through the faucet and pipes to clean out mineral and biofilm debris.
- 5
  Return to the open faucet used to empty the hot water line. The water being flushed back through the line empties into this faucet; it may be discolored from mineral buildup flushing from the lines. Watch this faucet until the water becomes clear.
- 6
  Shut off the running faucet, remove the slug from the aerator screen and return to the water heater to turn on the hot water supply.

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Plumbing