My building has galvanized steel piping, meaning we get flakes of "scale" (rust) in our faucets. The last time I bought a kitchen faucet, I made sure to get one that could be opened and cleaned out. Now my water flow is down to a trickle, and I've cleaned out everything, and even backflushed all the lines to check. Everything seems clear and open—except the inline filter provided as part of the faucet. It looks fine, but when I try to blow through it, it doesn't seem to pass much air. The faucet is a Home Depot Glacier Bay model, and apparently they don't sell replacement filters. It's of course a proprietary fitting.

I'm thinking of just drilling the filter out, and putting in a simple screen on one end to catch scale. I feel like I have little to lose. Any random advice?

I had a similar problem a while back with my kitchen faucet although it was a different model. My advice is just to force water through it however you can. Backwards, whatever. Perhaps you can disassemble some portions and clear them individually. You might be able to contact glacier bay for a new filter.

I eventually cleared the clog in my faucet (caused by cycling the hot water on and off) but I wasn't fond of it when I started and was disgusted by the end and replaced it.

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When you get a new faucet, which it sounds like you will, make sure it’ll take standard replacement aerators. They make special ones that are easier to clean. Some are actually self cleaning, but I have some that have a button you can push right in the middle that opens everything up and let’s the chunks flow out. I’ve still had to open it up to clean it manually once or twice, but it’s been way better than cleaning out a standard aerator.

Plus it’s fun when you need to clean it out. Just turn the water on and push the button in. You can watch the chunks end up in your sink and your water flow is magically better.

I installed a 'whole house' filter in the kitchen's cold water line.
Believe my kitchen faucet is the same as the linked one, no 'clogging'
issues.

Filter Housing (has links to correct non-proprietary cartridges).

Cost 5yrs ago for housing, fittings, & cart was < $40.

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39°36'17"N 75°44'43"W

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Can you try to clear it with CLR?

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Formerly known as Dennis R

Hmmm. That's definitely worth a try. Thanks for actually understanding my question.

Usually what clogs the aerators, etc., are bits of scale that look like grains of sand. But I didn't get anything out of the aerator or supply lines or valve, and there's nothing visible in the entry screen of this filter. I wish I knew what was inside there and what it was supposed to do.

I put everything back together this morning and I have reasonable (not great) pressure through the filter, so I don't know what's going on in there.