The National Kitchen and Bath Association, a leading building and remodeling trade association, refers to sinks, faucets and related paraphernalia as "water appliances." There's one for you.

One such water appliance is the vegetable or sink sprayer, a component of many kitchen faucets. Aside from rinsing vegetables, the sink sprayer comes in handy for rinsing dirty dishes and scum-busting the sink.

Many modern kitchen faucets come equipped with an integral sprayer called a spray spout. The spout-sprayer combination can be pulled out of the faucet body. The more traditional sink sprayer, however, is a separate device which sits atop the sink to one side of the faucet.

Sprayers are generally dependable, and when service is required, are easy to repair or replace.

A sink sprayer is a simple device that works by diverting water from the faucet. The spray hose connects to the faucet underneath the sink. The hose passes through the sink to the spray head. At a touch of a lever on the head, water flows through a perforated disk, creating a soft spray. The most common problems that are encountered with a sink sprayer are poor water flow and leaks.

Water flow is reduced primarily in two ways debris obstruction at the nozzle or hard water and mineral buildup in the perforated disc. Debris and mineral buildup can be removed by disassembling the spray head.

Be sure to turn off the water supply underneath the sink before making repairs.

Start by disconnecting the spray head from the hose and dismantling it. Use a small flat-blade screwdriver to pry off the screw cover and to remove the screw located beneath the cover.

Soak the spray head parts in a vinegar bath to remove mineral deposits. Parts with heavy lime buildup may need to be soaked in washing soda and scrubbed with a toothbrush.

In the event that the parts don't clean up to your satisfaction, replacement parts can be purchased for less than a buck.

There are a series of washers and plastic rings which exist at the spray head base. These frequently become worn and require replacement. Simply unscrew the spray head base from the spray head, remove the retaining clip and the old washers and rings and replace them with new ones. Reassemble the spray head by reversing the disassembly process.

Leaks typically occur at connections such as the coupling where the spray head connects to the hose and between the hose and the stubout at the faucet. Leaks can also develop at the hose requiring hose replacement.

The most common cause of leaks at connections is a worn out washer or O-ring which can easily be replaced.

The O-ring at the spray head can be replaced at the same time as the washers between the spray head and the spray head base. Leaks at the location where the hose connects to the faucet can often be stopped by unscrewing the compression nut, cleaning the threaded stubout, applying a new layer of Teflon tape and reconnecting the hose.

The other part that sometimes needs servicing is the diverter valve. This valve, located within the faucet body, redirects the water flow from the faucet to the spray hose when you press the handle on the spray head. It is normal for a small amount of water to continue flowing through the faucet while the sprayer is being used.

Access to diverter valves can be achieved by pulling the entire body of the faucet. This is accomplished by removing the top cap on the body or by taking off a cover located on the front of the body.

Avoid damage to plastic components by hand-tightening them.

You may find that you'll be dollars ahead if you simply replace the entire spray assembly if more than one component needs repairing or servicing. Plan to spend in the neighborhood of $10 for a new spray assembly.