Your kitchen sink sprayer suddenly stops working. The water barely trickles out, or worse, doesn’t come out at all. Your Kohler sink sprayer has helped make dish washing and sink cleaning easier – until now.
Here’s exactly why your Kohler sprayer stopped working and how to get it back in action. Most sprayer issues can be fixed right at home with basic tools and a bit of know-how.
Kohler Kitchen Sink Sprayer Not Working: Common Causes
Several issues can prevent your Kohler kitchen sprayer from functioning properly. These are the most frequent problems:
1. Mineral Buildup and Clogs
Hard water deposits slowly build up inside your sprayer head. These calcium and mineral deposits gradually narrow the water passages, reducing water flow until the sprayer eventually stops working. You might see white crusty deposits around the sprayer holes – that’s mineral buildup at work.
2. Damaged or Worn-Out Diverter Valve
The diverter valve controls water flow between your main faucet and the sprayer. Squeezing the sprayer trigger makes this valve redirect water from the faucet to the sprayer. A faulty diverter can’t properly redirect water, causing weak spray or no water flow.
3. Broken Sprayer Head
Regular use puts wear and tear on your sprayer head. The internal parts can crack, break, or become loose. Signs of a broken sprayer head include water leaking from places other than the spray holes or a trigger that feels loose or doesn’t spring back after use.
4. Kinked or Damaged Hose
Your sprayer hose moves constantly and can develop kinks or damage. A kinked hose blocks water flow, while tears or cracks cause leaks. Look at the entire length of the hose under your sink for any visible damage or sharp bends that stay bent.
5. Low Water Pressure
Sometimes the problem lies with your home’s water pressure, not the sprayer. If other fixtures show reduced flow, your sprayer problems might come from a broader pressure issue. This happens from partially closed shutoff valves or problems with your home’s main water supply.
Kohler Kitchen Sink Sprayer Not Working: DIY Solutions
Here are proven solutions you can try yourself. Start with the simplest fixes and continue through the list until your sprayer works properly again.
1. Clean the Sprayer Head
Start with removing mineral buildup from your sprayer head: Fill a plastic bag with white vinegar and secure it around the sprayer head with a rubber band. Make sure the spray holes stay submerged. Let it soak for 4-6 hours or overnight. Remove the bag and use an old toothbrush to scrub away any remaining deposits. Run hot water through the sprayer to flush out loose debris.
2. Check and Replace the Diverter Valve
The diverter valve sits at the base of your faucet: Turn off the water supply under your sink. Remove the sprayer hose from the diverter connection point. Unscrew the diverter valve using pliers or a wrench. Look for debris or damage. Clean the valve well or replace it if needed. Kohler sells replacement diverter valves made for your model.
3. Replace the Sprayer Head
A new sprayer head might solve the problem: Unscrew the old sprayer head from the hose. Find your Kohler faucet model number (located on the base). Buy a matching replacement sprayer head. Put the new sprayer head on the hose, adding any washers or O-rings that came with it. Hand-tighten only – tools can damage the plastic threads.
4. Fix or Replace the Hose
Fix hose problems quickly: Check the entire hose length for kinks, focusing on bends near connections. Straighten any kinks. Replace damaged hoses. Take off the old hose from both the sprayer head and diverter valve. Put on the new hose, checking that it moves freely under the sink.
5. Boost Water Pressure
These steps can improve water flow: Look at the shutoff valves under your sink – open them fully. Clean the aerator on your main faucet, which affects overall water pressure. Check that other faucets have good pressure. Call your water utility company if pressure stays low throughout your house.
If these fixes don’t work, call a licensed plumber. They have the right tools and skills to solve harder problems with your Kohler fixtures.
Final Tips
A broken kitchen sprayer can work again. Now you know the main causes of Kohler sprayer problems and how to fix them yourself. Simple cleaning or part replacement often solves the issue.
Quick action prevents small sprayer problems from getting worse. Try these solutions one by one, and your sprayer should work perfectly soon.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I clean my Kohler kitchen sprayer?
Clean your sprayer head every 3-4 months with hard water, or twice yearly with soft water. Regular cleaning stops mineral buildup and makes your sprayer last longer.
Why does my sprayer drip even when turned off?
Dripping usually means worn-out O-rings or seals inside the sprayer head or at the hose connections. New parts will stop the drips.
Can I use CLR or similar products to clean my sprayer?
Vinegar works better than CLR for your sprayer’s finish and internal parts. Strong chemical cleaners might harm the sprayer’s coating and rubber pieces.
How long should a Kohler kitchen sprayer last?
Good care helps your Kohler sprayer work well for 5-7 years. Water quality and how much you use it affect how long it lasts.
What tools do I need to replace a kitchen sprayer?
You’ll need adjustable pliers, a wrench, a bucket to catch water, and plumber’s tape. Most sprayer repairs use just these basic tools.