Had the same issue when I moved into my first place. Vinegar was my go-to at first, but like you said, it only worked for a bit. Turns out, those tiny screens catch all sorts of mineral deposits from hard water—especially if your area has high mineral content. Replacing the aerator was surprisingly easy and cheap, and honestly, it felt pretty satisfying to fix something myself without calling a plumber...small homeowner victories, right?
Nice job tackling that yourself—it's always rewarding when you can handle these little fixes without calling in backup. Vinegar is a decent short-term fix, but like you noticed, it doesn't always cut it long-term, especially with stubborn mineral buildup. Swapping out the aerator is usually straightforward and cost-effective, so it's great you went that route. Small repairs like these build confidence for bigger projects down the line, trust me...speaking from experience here. Keep it up!
Good job on the fix, but I wouldn't totally dismiss vinegar as just a short-term solution. I've seen faucets stay clear for months after a thorough vinegar soak—especially if you're consistent about it. The key is letting the aerator soak overnight rather than just a quick dip. Also, swapping the aerator is fine, but sometimes mineral buildup is a symptom rather than the root cause. If your water's particularly hard, installing a simple inline filter or softener cartridge under the sink can make a big difference in the long run. It's not complicated either, just takes an afternoon and basic tools...and it'll save you from replacing aerators every few months. Speaking from experience here: I've seen people surprised how much better their faucets work once they deal with the water quality itself instead of just treating symptoms.
Totally agree about vinegar doing more than just a quick fix. But if you're regularly seeing buildup, it's a good idea to check your faucet cartridge too—sometimes that's where the trouble starts. Pulling it out isn't tricky: shut off water, pop off the handle, unscrew retaining nut, and slide cartridge out. If it's crusty, soak that overnight in vinegar too. Usually saves a replacement. Inline filters are great, but sometimes a simple cartridge cleaning solves the mystery.
Good tips, but isn't soaking overnight a bit risky for some cartridges? I've heard certain plastic or rubber parts can degrade if left too long in vinegar... maybe shorter soaks are safer, just to be cautious.
