Ever been cleaning under your kitchen sink and noticed tiny metal balls scattered around? They’re small, almost perfectly round, and sometimes a little rusty. Naturally, you wonder: where did these come from? The surprising answer might be closer than you think—right in your pull-out kitchen faucet.
The Secret Behind Faucet Weights
If your sink has a pull-out or pull-down faucet, it probably has a weight attached to the hose. This weight helps the hose retract smoothly after you pull it out. Inside that weight are often tiny metal balls that balance the hose. Over time, the weight can crack, wear out, or even split open. When that happens, those small balls can spill to the bottom of your cabinet. This is more likely if the hose is stretched too far or if the faucet is aging.
How to Check Your Faucet
To see if your faucet is the culprit:
- Open the cabinet under your sink and locate the hose connected to your faucet.
- Find the weight on the hose—it might be metal or plastic.
- Inspect it for cracks, leaks, or damage. If it’s broken, those tiny metal balls are probably coming from there.
If the weight is damaged, don’t worry. Replacing it is simple, inexpensive, and hardware stores or online retailers carry them.
Other Possible Sources
If your faucet isn’t to blame, a few other culprits could be:
- Dishwasher Parts: A worn or broken component from a nearby dishwasher could leave metal beads behind.
- Garbage Disposal: Some internal parts of a garbage disposal can wear out, producing small metal balls similar to the ones you found.
Tips to Prevent This Issue
Regularly check your faucet hose and other plumbing components under the sink. Early inspections can catch wear and tear before it turns into a bigger problem.
While finding tiny metal balls under your sink might seem alarming at first, it’s usually nothing serious. A quick look at your faucet or nearby appliances will help identify the source and give you peace of mind.
