“I just noticed that there are tons of tiny metal balls under my kitchen sink. Most are not perfect spheres but almost all of them are round. They do not dissolve, and some look like they’re rusty so I think they’re made of metal. Above this cabinet there is a kitchen sink with a disposal and dishwasher. They have appeared in the past year or so, since I thoroughly cleaned under the sink when moving in. What are these?”

The metal balls are silver-gray, 3–6mm in size, and not perfectly round

You notice the hose doesn’t retract as smoothly as it used to

 How to Check & Fix It

1. Inspect the Hose Under the

Open the cabinet beneath your

Locate the spray hose — follow it from the faucet down into the cabinet.

Look for a small bulge or weighted section on the hose, or a separate plastic/metal cylinder attached nearby.

2. Look for Damage

Is the weight cracked, swollen, or leaking metal beads?

Does the hose hang limply instead of retracting?

3. Replace the Weight (Easy & Inexpensive!)

Most faucet weights are universal and cost between $8–$15.

Available at:

Hardware stores (Home Depot, Lowe’s)

Plumbing supply shops

Online (Amazon, eBay) — search “kitchen faucet hose weight”

Installation usually takes minutes:

Disconnect water supply (turn off valves!)

Remove old weight (often clips or screws)

Attach new one in the same spot

Restore water and test retraction

 Pro Tip: Lubricate the hose occasionally with plumber’s grease to reduce friction and extend life.

 Could It Be Something Else?

While the faucet weight is the #1 suspect, other possible sources include:

 

Dishwasher drain hose or pump

Older models may have internal components that degrade into small metal fragments

Garbage disposal

Worn impellers or internal parts could break apart — but usually produce larger shards

Water softener or filter system

 

 

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