Reviews:
 ·linode
| Need to find new sink aerator, company won't return calls! Our house was built around 2004-2005, and we have a faucet in our kitchen manufactured by Kona Faucet:
The aerator is all plugged up, worn down and corroded from years of use, so we need a replacement. I went to my local Home Depot and was promptly told that they don't have anything big enough to fit (apparently these things have been "standardized" for the past little while and they only carry 3 set sizes), and I was told to give the manufacturer a call.
Problem is, even though they have a working website, they won't return my calls or respond to my emails. Their Toronto office has closed down and their Montreal distributor (that Kona links to) claims they've only ever sold cell phones.
The threads on the aerator are 1" diameter, although the faucet itself is thicker, around 1.25". I'll put some pictures below, but my question is this: was the Home Depot guy right? Do I have no chance of replacing this aerator besides the manufacturer? Could anybody possibly point me to a plumbing supply site or something I could use in lieu of a genuine Kona aerator?
Thanks very much 
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Reviews:
 ·ProLog
 ·Verizon Online DSL
 ·voip.ms
| Could you try taking it apart, noting the sequence, and soaking it in vinegar? That will clean most of the lime and crud out. I may work after this treatment.
Is there a real plumbing wholesale distributor in the area? Like one where you see "Joe's Plumbing" tuck parked getting supplies? They may have parts or can put you on to where to get them.
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The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits. |
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Reviews:
·linode
| said by pende_tim:Could you try taking it apart, noting the sequence, and soaking it in vinegar? That will clean most of the lime and crud out. I may work after this treatment.
Is there a real plumbing wholesale distributor in the area? Like one where you see "Joe's Plumbing" tuck parked getting supplies? They may have parts or can put you on to where to get them.
The problem is the plastic itself has degraded to a point where it no longer stays inside the metal housing, so we'd need a complete replacement (even if it was just something we could put inside the housing). I was planning on heading down to my local plumbing supply place tomorrow, but figured I'd hedge my bets by posting this thread ahead of time. Thanks for the suggestions! |
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 cdruGo ColtsPremium,MVM
join:2003-05-14
Fort Wayne, IN
kudos:7 | reply to squircle
Kona that made your faucet doesn't appear to be the Kona that's around today. Kona's website circa 2005 listed 3 models of faucets, one of which was Moda. Elkay has a Moda faucet line that looks fairly similar to your faucet. Coincidence? Maybe. Or maybe one was based off the other or the product line was taken over.
Google "Elkay LK7522" for pictures. Parts list is here and has 3 different part numbers for aerators based on finish.
Good luck. And next time get a name brand that you recognize.  |
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Reviews:
·linode
| said by cdru:Good luck. And next time get a name brand that you recognize.
We would have if we'd had the option; this one was installed by the builder!
Thanks for those links. I'll send them an email, see what I can find, and if worse comes to worse, I'll just by it and see. From the diagram though, it seems like the faucet end is outside-threaded instead of inside-threaded as this one is. I guess we'll find out. Thanks again! |
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harald
join:2010-10-22
Columbus, OH
kudos:1 | reply to squircle
my approach in this kind of situation is to go to a wholesaler, and acknowledge that you are going to be a nuisance - you want something that costs little, and there is no way they can make money on you.
I did this when I needed an aerator for a Kohler faucet, and they special ordered it, no charge.
There ae still people that care.
In any case, you likely have one of many Kona faucets in your area. Some distributor handled them.
Walking in is better than calling.
Good luck. |
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| reply to squircle
Bring the assembly to a Plumbing Supply that is a Kona Dealer. Most will deal with the General Public.
Odds are, the plastic inserts are standardized and will fit quite a few models. |
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| reply to squircle
It looks like a standard aerator to me. You can find one at Home Depot or an Ace hardware for a few bucks! Most name brand plumbing fixtures don't use proprietary parts. |
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lutful... of ideasPremium
join:2005-06-16
Ottawa, ON Reviews:
·TekSavvy DSL
| reply to squircle
said by squircle:The problem is the plastic itself has degraded to a point where it no longer stays inside the metal housing, so we'd need a complete replacement (even if it was just something we could put inside the housing). You could get a reasonable replica of the whole aerator or just the plastic part made. You could ask this person for advice because he mentioned making a better version than someone else in some 3D printer site. »www.thingiverse.com/Kulitorum/designs |
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Reviews:
·Callcentric
| reply to squircle
As pende_tim said, why not try a plumbing supply store right in your town?
This is not something suited to Home Depot. That's like asking Timmies to cater a state dinner for the Governor General.
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McKeough Supply
35 Baffin Place, Waterloo
Tel: 519–885–1260
Marks Supply
300 Arnold Street, Kitchener
Tel: 519-578-5560
If these sorts of guys don't have a suitable part, they can probably suggest someone who [can] help, or suggest some other solution.... |
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Reviews:
·linode
| said by Gershom 1624:As pende_tim said, why not try a plumbing supply store right in your town?
Thanks for the addresses, but I don't actually live in Waterloo. Those places won't be of much use to me until I go back to school! Thanks for reminding me to update my location though. |
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Reviews:
·linode
| reply to capecoddah
said by capecoddah:Bring the assembly to a Plumbing Supply that is a Kona Dealer. Most will deal with the General Public.
Odds are, the plastic inserts are standardized and will fit quite a few models.
Apparently there is no such thing as a "Kona Dealer"; they're a Chinese company that nobody around here has ever heard of. Doesn't surprise me that the builder of this house would've used cheap, crappy faucets. Everything else they used was crap... |
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Reviews:
·linode
| reply to harald
Seems like I didn't have much luck; nobody around here has ever heard of them. I went to the local plumbing supply place where I was told "I've been doing this for 40 years and have never heard of Kona. You may as well just replace the damn thing."
I guess that's what I'm going to have to do.
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| Consider a generic plastic aerator until you get around to changing out the faucet. Whatever you put in now may be "dated" in 5 years anyway.
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 PacratOld and CrankyPremium,MVM
join:2001-03-10
Cortland, OH | reply to squircle
Did you take the existing parts with you when you visited any of the plumbing supply places??? It could be they have something that will fit, but not under that brand name. I know, I try to always take the old one with me when I have to buy replacement parts. I can't tell you how many times I've been told, "We don't carry that brand", but upon seeing the old one, the clerks/salesmen have found something else that fits/works just as well. There's no better substitute for having the old piece, whether it's broken or worn out, when trying to match up some "off-brand" item. It's been my experience that some of the smaller stores are much more helpful in finding oddball stuff than the big box stores. I deal with several "Mom & Pop" shops and I have nothing but praise for most of them. I've heard more than once, "We don't have that, but 'so-and-so' down the road does!" Often, they'll make the call for me as I stand there... just to verify the other shop has one in stock.
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Keep your eye on the ball, your shoulder to the wheel, your nose to the grindstone, and your ear to the ground. Now, try to work in that position!!! |
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| Yes, I brought it along and they were still baffled. |
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 jkj860The Final Frontier
join:2002-01-10
Valparaiso, IN
·Comcast Digital ..
·Comcast
| reply to squircle
At my local lowes depot, they have thing you can screw the aerator on to to fine the right size. They have probably 20 or 30 different aerators. Its in the plumbing repair aisle.
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I know you think you understand what you thought I said, but I am not sure you realize what you heard is not what I meant. Nixon |
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 alkizmo
join:2007-06-25
Pierrefonds, QC
kudos:1 | reply to squircle
said by squircle:Yes, I brought it along and they were still baffled.
If they are young enough to have pimples or smoke the reefer, they will be baffled by anything. |
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 NightwingThis is it boys,this is warPremium
join:2002-04-08
CT | reply to squircle
Look at some of these. You might find something that works.
»plumbing.hardwarestore.com/51-28···ers.aspx
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A fire burns today Of blasphemy and genocide The sirens of decay
Will infiltrate the faith fanatics |
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 IowaCowboyWant to go back to IowaPremium
join:2010-10-16
Springfield, MA | reply to squircle
If all else fails, replace the faucet with one that is a better brand like Moen, Delta or Price Pfister.
I have a special aerator on my kitchen faucet so it can accept the hookup of a portable dishwasher. |
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