Check valve question

Hi all,

yesterday I had my hot water heater replaced. After, all faucets worked but the kitchen two handle pull out. I took the faucet apart and blew air through all the open fittings, the 1/4" push on compression fitting connecting the pull out hose to the hot /cold junction was clogged. Soaking in hot vinegar solution did not fix it. The clogged brass part is marked with a star on the parts schematic.

price-pfister-t536-ebc-double-handle-pullout-spray-kitchen-faucet-with-soap-dispenser-from-the-catalina-series

Unable to clear it, I simply pushed the screen, springs and plastic bushings, (and a bunch of white flaky cr*p,) out of the barrel an reinstalled it. Everything works fine now.

So, a few questions:

1. Will disabling this part invite trouble later?
2. What is it for? The pressure of water hasn't changed noticeably.
3. Why would Price Pfister include this bottleneck of tiny parts that is seemingly destined to get clogged and not offer an individual replacement? From my quick look, you have to buy the entire $100 replacement assembly to fix it.

Thanks for help with this,

gary

The website of your link got edited by the forum's software. It is not uncommon for some crud to be stirred up when shutting the water off and installing a new WH. You may have somewhat blocked screens on more things in the house as well. Generally, that stuff will disolve in acid (vinegar may take awhile). Many faucets protect their more delicate internal workings with screen filters and removing yours might affect the long-term reliability. If it is a check valve, (and one is REQUIRED on a pull-out), you run the risk of contaminating your water if you let the head sit in the bowl with some dirty dishwater. A hiccup in the supply pressure could suck crud into the potable water system, and get everyone sick. So, yes, if it is a check valve, it should be repaired or replaced.

thanks for the reply. Let's keep this quiet, I don't want to give my wife any ideas.

gary

Hi Gary,

We're sorry to hear about the problem you’re experiencing with our product. We would like to assist and address this issue quickly, but our Consumer Service Team needs some additional information to proceed.

Please provide:

* The model number of the product. If you do not know this, please follow these directions: http://www.pfisterfaucets.com/do_it_yourself/how_to.aspx
* Any other specifics on the issue you’re experiencing
* A method to contact you (ex. email, phone, etc.)
* Best time for contact (ex. mornings, evenings, etc.)
Please send this information to us at pfistersocial@bdhhi.com.

We apologize for your inconvenience and look forward to resolving this matter as soon as possible.

Sincerely,

The Pfister Team

Pfister is a part of the Stanley Black & Decker Hardware and Home Improvement (BDHHI) Group.

Most, if not all, pull out spouts have a "backflow preventer or check valve" as part of their safety concerns. That should be the part you modified. It will work without it, as long as it did not leak, it is just not a safe if that "once in a lifetime" event were to occur.

If PP is posting here, they deserve us to vote with our wallets for them!