Repairing Guides

how to repair a dripping kitchen faucet

by Rahul Boehm Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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  • Repairing a dripping kitchen faucet. To fix a dripping kitchen faucet yourself, you first need to know how to disassemble the tap. ...
  • Cleaning a dripping kitchen faucet. There are many ways to clean a dripping kitchen faucet, including soaking it in vinegar and using a toothbrush.
  • Finding replacement parts for a leaking kitchen faucet. You might be able to save money and do the repair yourself by finding replacement parts for a leaking kitchen faucet.
  • Disassembling a leaking kitchen faucet. If you are unable to fix your leaky kitchen faucet using a DIY kit, you can try disassembling it yourself.

Full Answer

How to stop a leaky faucet in the kitchen?

How to Fix Water Leaks at the Base of the Spout

  • Step #1: Identify Your Faucet’s Brand. Before restoring your dripping faucet, identify your sink’s brand and model. ...
  • Step #2: Gather Tools and Shut Down Water Supply. ...
  • Step #3: Deconstruct the Faucet. ...
  • Step #4: Inspect and Replace Damaged Parts. ...
  • Step #5: Reassemble the Faucet. ...
  • Step #6: Call for Backup if the Problem Continues. ...

What are causes of a dripping kitchen faucet?

Why is My Faucet Leaking?

  1. Leaks and Drips Out of the Faucet. In a washer-type faucet, a leak or drip out of a turned-off faucet usually indicates a worn-out washer.
  2. Leaks from the Faucet Handle or Stem. In the washer-type faucet, leaking from the faucet handle or stem can be caused by a worn or bent stem, deteriorated stem ...
  3. Leaking Behind or Under the Faucet. ...
  4. Noisy Faucets. ...

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How to repair low pressure in a kitchen faucet?

  • Shut off the water supply to the faucet and keep the faucet handle in turn-on position so all the remaining water from the faucet will be wiped out.
  • Cover the sink drain with any cloth or plastic so by mistake any faucet part or screw doesn’t run down in the drain.
  • Now locate the screw and remove its cap with the help of a screwdriver.

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How to repair a Moen kitchen faucet?

These measurements include:

  • Distance from spout head to base: 130mm
  • Distance from spout base to spray base: 102mm
  • Distance from base to handle top: 171mm
  • Maximum deck thickness: 19mm

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How do I get my kitchen faucet to stop dripping?

To stop drips at the spout or correct problems with hot and cold mixing, remove the cartridge and either replace the O-rings on the cartridge if they're worn or replace the entire cartridge. Take the cartridge to the home center or hardware store to find a replacement.

What causes a dripping kitchen faucet?

The most common sources of a leaking faucet – a worn out washer or gasket, a loose O ring, corrosion in the valve seat – can be detected and fixed easily with most faucet repair kits.

How do you fix a dripping kitchen faucet with two handles?

0:424:49How to Repair a Leaky Two-Handle Faucet - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOnce you determine the trouble stem you'll need to turn off the water. Next remove the handle with aMoreOnce you determine the trouble stem you'll need to turn off the water. Next remove the handle with a Philips head screwdriver. So that the stem is visible.

What causes a faucet to drip when it's turned off?

If you notice your bathroom sink drips or leaks out of the faucet head when turned off, there is likely an issue with the seal inside the faucet head, allowing the water to run through or drip. Before calling a professional plumber, consider whether you're able to repair the leak in your bathroom sink yourself.

How do you stop a tap dripping water?

Turn both valves to the right (clockwise) as far as possible to stop water from traveling through the faucet. If you see straight handles instead of knobs, turn the handles perpendicular to the pipe to turn off the water. If your faucet has separate hot and cold taps, turn off the cold water supply valve first.

Where is the O ring on a faucet?

0:251:34Leaky Faucet Base – O-Ring Replacement - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe o-rings should be easy to see and locate there are at least one or two o-rings that there couldMoreThe o-rings should be easy to see and locate there are at least one or two o-rings that there could be even three or four remove. Each oring using a flathead screwdriver or needle nose pliers.

How do you change the cartridge on a double handle faucet?

1:293:02How to Replace Leaky Cartridges in a Bathroom Faucet - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipFirst align the tab on the new cartridge to the slot on the faucet. Now screw on the bonnet nut andMoreFirst align the tab on the new cartridge to the slot on the faucet. Now screw on the bonnet nut and tighten with the crescent wrench reinstall the handle and pop the caps back.

How do you remove a double handle faucet?

2:1312:07How to Replace a Kitchen Faucet with Two Handles | The Home DepotYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBecause the mounting nuts securing the faucet are installed first you'll need to unscrew the supplyMoreBecause the mounting nuts securing the faucet are installed first you'll need to unscrew the supply line connections before you can remove them.

How do you fix a 2 handle Moen kitchen faucet?

0:034:50Kitchen Plumbing : Double Handle Kitchen Faucet Repair - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd this is how you repair a double handled kitchen sink.MoreAnd this is how you repair a double handled kitchen sink.

How do you fix a Delta faucet with two handles?

1:323:15How To Fix A Leaky Delta Two Handle Faucet - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipUse a wrench or channel lock pliers to loosen the bonnet nut make sure to note where the quarterMoreUse a wrench or channel lock pliers to loosen the bonnet nut make sure to note where the quarter term stop is set on top of the cartridge. And use a pair of pliers to grab the top of the cartridge.

How long does it take to fix a drippy kitchen faucet?

You can fix almost any drippy single-lever kitchen faucet in about an hour. We'll show you how. The repair is a lot easier than you might think, even for a plumbing novice.

Who can repair a faucet?

Plumbing supply specialists are also a good source of repair parts. If you're having trouble finding parts, call the manufacturer of your faucet for help.

Why is my water faucet slow?

Slow water flow can be caused by plugged holes in the faucet body. Use a small screwdriver or penknife to clean them out. Before you replace worn parts and reassemble the faucet, hold a rag over the dripping faucet and open the water shutoff valve slightly to flush out debris that may have been loosened during the cleaning and inspection.

How to loosen a cartridge?

Loosen the cartridge by slipping the plastic spanner cap (included with the new cartridge) over the cartridge and twisting it back and forth.

How to unscrew a cap?

Unscrew the cap by turning it counterclockwise with a slip-joint pliers.

Why does my faucet leak?

Leaks can result from faulty rubber seals or a cracked disc inside the cartridge. Since it's difficult to spot a cracked disc, and disc cartridge replacements are very expensive, it's best to start by replacing the seals and reassembling the faucet.

How to hold a cartridge in a valve?

Slide the brass clip into the slots in the valve body to hold the cartridge in place.

How to stop a faucet from leaking?

Investigate the cap and adjusting ring by taking a good look. If the faucet seems to be leaking from there, try tightening the adjusting ring with needle-nose pliers. If that doesn’t stop the leak, you’ll need to replace the faucet’s seats and springs.

How long does water run in a faucet?

The water needs to run for one minute. For kitchen & bathroom faucets, be sure to put a bucket upside down over top of the faucet in order to direct the water down to the sink, or water will spray everywhere. Turn the water off at the supply lines again before re-assembling. 8.

Do you need an adjusting ring for a faucet?

Depending on the age of your faucet, you may not have an adjusting ring. For those with newer faucets that don’t contain adjusting rings, please skip this step. If you have an older faucet with an adjusting ring, it will not be needed after the repair if the cam/packing is replaced.

How to Fix a Dripping or Leaky Double-Handle Faucet

Learn how to repair three types of double-handle faucets: ceramic disc, compression/reverse-compression and cartridge.

Repairing Different Types of Faucets

Keep in mind that some cartridge bodies and ceramic disc bodies/cylinders can look similar. In most cases, the cartridge body doesn't have moving parts. The ceramic disc body/cylinder does have moving parts that pivot to open the ports on the bottom.

Locate the Leak

Determine which side of your faucet is leaking by shutting off the water supply valves one at a time. If the leak doesn’t stop after the first valve is turned off, it’s the other line that’s leaking.

Ceramic Disc Faucets

This type of faucet uses a cylinder with tiny discs on the bottom that control water flow. The most successful repair typically replaces the entire cylinder.

Compression & Reverse-Compression Faucets

In this repair, you’ll replace the washer and O-ring or gasket on the valve stem, as well as the valve seat in the faucet.

Aerator

After reassembling your faucet, run the water for a few minutes to clear debris from the new parts. Replace the aerator.

How to Fix a Dripping or Leaky Single-Handle Faucet

Learn to repair three types of single-handle faucets: ball, cartridge and ceramic disc.

Techniques for solving a tough faucet problem

Repair a drippy ball-type faucet using these pro tricks to deal with stubborn screws. You may have to replace the handle, but not the entire faucet.

Kitchen Faucet Repair: Loosen a stuck screw on a single-handle faucet

If the Allen screw is stuck, or if you strip it so it won’t come out, remove the cap with the handle still in place. You can’t grab the flattened edges with the handle in place. Instead, for this kitchen faucet repair, cushion the jaws of pliers and grip the round edge below.

How to Remove Faucet Handle

If you can’t loosen the Allen screw on the handle of a ball-type faucet, don’t let that 15¢ screw force you into a $100 faucet replacement… just yet! Normally you have to remove the handle to get the worn rubber seats that cause the drip (Figure A). First try spraying the screw with penetrating oil every day for a week.

Required Tools for this kitchen faucet repair Project

Have the necessary tools for this DIY kitchen faucet repair project lined up before you start—you’ll save time and frustration.

Required Materials for this kitchen faucet repair Project

Avoid last-minute shopping trips by having all your materials ready ahead of time. Here’s a list.

Shut Off the Water

The type of faucet in your kitchen or bathroom may be a single or double handle, has a modern pull-down wand design or is a twisting ball faucet on your shower or tub. Before you begin to fix a dripping faucet, your first step is to shut off the water supply.

Remove the Cartridge or Stem

The faucet cartridge or faucet stem is found in most two-handled kitchen and bathroom faucet styles. This is the part that regulates the flow of hot and cold water.

Install New Cartridge

Now that you’ve inspected the cartridge or stem and identified it as the source of your dripping kitchen faucet or bathroom faucet leak, you’ll have to replace it.

Reattach Faucet Handle

Once you’ve installed the new cartridge or stem, return to the previous steps and reattach the faucet handle. Turn your water line back on and remove any debris or towels from your sink.

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