If you’ve ever cleaned under your kitchen sink and discovered tiny metal balls scattered around, you’re not alone. At first glance, they can seem mysterious, even a little alarming. Are they from the plumbing system? Did something break inside your garbage disposal or dishwasher?
Whether you’re a homeowner concerned about kitchen maintenance or a renter trying to avoid a plumbing bill, this strange phenomenon is surprisingly common — and often easier to fix than you think.
Let’s dive into why these little metallic balls appear under your sink and how to fix the issue without spending a fortune.
What Are These Tiny Metal Balls?
These small, near-spherical pieces of metal — sometimes slightly rusty or discolored — often show up seemingly out of nowhere. They aren’t beads from jewelry, nor are they debris from a pest infestation.
More often than not, they’re a sign your pull-out kitchen faucet has a broken or damaged retraction weight. These faucet weights help the faucet hose pull back into place smoothly after use — a clever mechanism that works silently behind the scenes.
How Faucet Weights Cause This Problem
Most modern pull-out or pull-down kitchen faucets use a counterweight system to retract the hose smoothly. This weight often contains small metal balls or bearings to add heft without bulk. Over time, the casing of this weight — typically made of plastic or metal — can crack, split, or wear out, causing the small metal contents to spill under your sink.
If you frequently pull or stretch the hose, or if your faucet system is older than five years, the chances of this happening increase significantly.
How to Check If Your Faucet Is the Culprit
Here’s a step-by-step guide to check your faucet weight system and determine if it’s behind the mysterious metallic spheres:
- Open the cabinet under your sink.
- Look for the hose weight—it’s attached to the faucet hose, usually somewhere in the middle.
- Examine the weight casing closely for any cracks, gaps, or leaks.
- If you find damage or see loose metal balls nearby, you’ve found your source.
Replacing a faucet hose weight is simple and affordable. You can find them at any home improvement store, hardware retailer, or online marketplace like Amazon or Home Depot. Most weights cost under $10–$20 and require no tools to install.
What If It’s Not the Faucet?
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