How to fix leaking sink faucet
How to Fix a Leaky Faucet — Step-by-Step Guides for Both Washerless and Compression Faucets
Photo: istockphoto.com
A faucet—whether it’s in the kitchen, bathroom, or behind the bar—acts like a mini dam, holding back a pressurized stream of water until you lift or twist the handle.
According to the National Association of Home Builders, it’s safe to expect the average faucet to last about 15 years. Even before then, yours may start to leak, either from the nozzle or at the base of the fixture, so it’s important to know how to fix a leaky faucet.
As soon as you notice that a faucet is dripping, try to make the repair immediately. Stopping the dripping as soon as you can saves money and resources. After all, the leaky faucet calculator provided by the U.S. Geological Survey reminds us that one drip every minute wastes 34 gallons per year.
Before You BeginThe first step to repairing a leaky faucet involves preparing the faucet and sink. Start by turning off the water to the sink. Usually, the valves are below the sink basin, close to the wall. There should be one for hot and one for cold. Turn both clockwise.
Next, open the faucet to release any water left behind in the line, and then close the drain. If you don’t have a good drain cover, simply place a kitchen towel over the drain to prevent small parts from falling in. (Click here for plumbing tips everyone needs to know.)
Repairing a leaky faucet is a relatively straightforward plumbing project, but there are different ways to fix different kinds of faucets. Before you begin the repair, determine the type of faucet.
There are two basic categories: those with washers and those without. Faucets with washers are known as compression faucets. Faucets without washers are known as washerless faucets, and they include cartridge, ceramic-disk, and ball-type faucets. Find the section below that describes how to fix your type of faucet.
Photo: acehardware.com
A compression faucet holds back water in the plumbing system with a small rubber washer that tightens in the valve seat. It’s similar to how a bottle cap screws onto the top of a plastic soda container.
SUPPLIES
- Towel
- Flathead screwdriver
- Hex wrench or hex screwdriver
- Penetrating oil
- Toothless wrench
- O-ring
- Seat washer
STEP 1: Remove the cap from each handle.
In order to fix a leaky faucet, you will need to gain access to the internal components of the faucet, so the first step is to remove the decorative cap from the top of each handle.
Make sure the drain is closed, then look for a small circle on the top of the handle that may have an “H” for hot or a “C” for cold. Use a flathead screwdriver to gently lift up the decorative cap, exposing the screwhead underneath.
As you proceed, it’s a good idea to place the parts in order of removal so that they are already organized in the correct order when you need to reinstall the parts.
STEP 2: Unscrew and remove the handles.
Check the type of screw that is currently securing the handles and use a compatible screwdriver to loosen the screws. These screws are usually standard flathead screws, but sometimes the faucet handle is secure with a hex set screw, so you will need to have a hex wrench or hex screwdriver ready if this is the case.
With these screws removed, the handles should lift off easily. However, if the screws or the handles seem to be seized, try using penetrating oil to help loosen the fittings.
STEP 3: Take off the stem nut.
With the handles removed, you should see the stem and the stem nut, which holds the stem in place. Use a wrench to carefully loosen and remove the stem nut.
Keep in mind that plumbing parts can be damaged by a wrench with overly aggressive teeth, so consider using a toothless wrench to avoid doing damage to the parts of the faucet.
STEP 4: Pull out the stem and inspect the O-ring.
The stem should now be free so that you can simply pull it out, exposing the O-ring and seat washer.
The O-ring is responsible for preventing leaks from the actual handles of the faucet.
If it appears worn or if you have had issues with the handles leaking, then you may need to replace the O-ring while the faucet is disassembled. These parts are relatively inexpensive, so you don’t need to worry about dipping into your home emergency fund.
STEP 5: Remove and replace the seat washer.
The washer at the bottom of the stem is called a seat washer. This is the part of the faucet that gets compressed by the handles to close the flow of water through the faucet. It is the part that is typically responsible for a leaking faucet. Check to see if the washer is being held in place by a screw before attempting to remove it. If it has a screw, then remove it first before taking out the seat washer.
Once the seat washer has been taken out of the faucet, replace it with a new seat washer. If you aren’t sure about the exact O-ring or seat washer replacement, then take the old, worn parts to a local hardware store.
It’s important that you get a perfect replacement in order to avoid future problems after assembly.
STEP 6: Reassemble the faucet.
The new seat washer should now be in place and the rest of the parts should be close at hand in the order that they were removed, so all that’s left is to carefully reassemble the faucet. The order of reassembly for each handle should be seat washer, O-ring, stem, stem nut, handle, handle screw, and decorative cap.
STEP 7: Test the faucet.
Never conclude a project without testing the finished work, especially when it comes to plumbing. The slightest error or misalignment can cause a big problem, so now that the faucet is reassembled, go ahead and open the cold and hot water valves located under the sink. The water should quickly flow through the faucet, expelling a small amount of air.
When all of the air has been pushed out of the system, turn off the faucet and check the handles and the tap for leaks. A leak indicates that a part of the faucet was not assembled correctly or that a part is worn out and needs to be replaced.
Photo: acehardware.com
Unlike a compression faucet that has a washer to control the flow of water, a washerless faucet relies on a disc, ball, or cartridge for the job. Less prone to leaks, this type of faucet usually has one handle rather than dual knobs.
SUPPLIES
To fix all types of washerless faucets, you’ll need the following:
- Towel
- Flathead screwdriver
- Hex wrench or hex screwdriver
- Penetrating oil
- Needle-nose pliers
If you’re repairing a cartridge faucet, you’ll also need:
- Cartridge (choose the right part for your faucet model)
- O-rings
If you’re repairing a ball faucet, you’ll also need:
- Channel locks or a toothless wrench
- Springs and valve seat set (choose the set for your faucet model)
- Cam washer
If you’re repairing a ceramic-disk faucet, you’ll also need:
- Neoprene seals
STEP 1: Remove the cap from the handle.
Just as you do when fixing a compression faucet, start by removing any decorative caps that are covering the handle screw. Look for a circular plastic or metal cap that may have a hot or cold pattern to denote the direction to turn the handle for hot or cold water.
Use a flathead screwdriver to gently lift up the decorative cap and expose the screw underneath. Place the parts in order as they are removed, so they are already organized when it comes time to reassemble the faucet.
STEP 2: Unscrew and remove the handle.
Verify that you have the correct screwdriver to loosen and remove the handle screw, then proceed to unscrew the handle. After taking off this screw, the handle should lift off easily, but if there are any issues with the screw becoming seized, use penetrating oil to break up rust or sediment in the threads.
STEP 3: Disassemble and remove the internal components according to the faucet type.
Depending on whether the faucet is a cartridge, ball, or ceramic-disk type, the parts that are exposed after removing the handle will be slightly different.
- Cartridge: Take out the small, circular threaded piece (called a retaining clip) to get access to the cartridge. Needle nose pliers may help to carefully take out this piece without damaging it.
- Ball: Use channel locks or a toothless wrench to take off the cap and collar of the faucet, then remove the faucet cam, cam washer, and ball to reveal the inlet seal and springs below.
- Ceramic-disk: Remove the escutcheon cap or bonnet, which is a piece of rounded metal that covers the disk cylinder.
Photo: istockphoto.com
STEP 4: Inspect the parts for wear and damage.
The next step in this process depends on whether the type of faucet is a cartridge, ball, or ceramic-disk.
- Cartridge: Lift the cartridge out of the assembly and locate the O-rings. Inspect the O-rings and the cartridge. Typically, cutting off the existing O-rings and replacing them will fix the leak, but consider replacing the entire cartridge if you aren’t confident.
- Ball: Use needle-nose pliers to take out the inlet seal and springs, then inspect each component to determine if it needs to be replaced.
- Ceramic-disk: Unscrew and remove the disk cylinder, then pry out the neoprene seals that are on the underside of the cylinder. Inspect the seals to determine if replacing is necessary or if cleaning away the accumulated debris would return them to an almost-new state.
Photo: istockphoto.com
STEP 5: Replace any worn or damaged parts.
Cartridge, ball, or ceramic-disk faucets will require different parts to fix the leak.
- Cartridge: Replace the O-rings on the cartridge or replace the cartridge entirely. If you are just replacing the O-rings, it’s a good idea to coat them in plumber’s grease before installing them.
- Ball: Install new springs, valve seats, and cam washers. These parts can be bought separately or purchased in a premade kit from a local hardware store.
Just make sure that any new parts are compatible with the existing faucet. - Ceramic-disk: Either reinstall cleaned neoprene seals or install new neoprene seals in the base of the ceramic-disk cylinder. It’s a good idea to bring the seal or even the entire cylinder to a local store to make sure you get the exact replacement.
STEP 6: Reassemble the faucet.
The new parts should now be in place and the rest of the faucet assembly should be in the order that they were removed, so all that’s left is to carefully reassemble the faucet. The order of reassembly for each faucet will depend on whether it is a cartridge, ball, or ceramic-disk faucet.
- Cartridge: The order of reassembly for a cartridge faucet should be cartridge, retaining clip, handle, handle screw, and decorative cap.
- Ball: The order of reassembly for a ball faucet should be springs, inlet seal, ball, cam washer, faucet cam, collar, cap, handle, handle screw, and decorative cap.
- Ceramic-disk: The order of reassembly for a ceramic-disk faucet should be neoprene seals, ceramic-disk cylinder, cylinder mounting screws, escutcheon cap, handle, handle screw, and decorative cap.
STEP 7: Test the faucet.
Always make sure to test the faucet after a repair. Go ahead and turn the faucet to the open position, then turn on the cold and hot water valves located under the sink. The water should quickly flow through the faucet, expelling a small amount of air.
When all of the air has been pushed out of the system, turn off the faucet and check the handle and the tap for leaks. A leak indicates that a part of the faucet was not assembled correctly or that a part is worn out and needs to be replaced.
Photo: istockphoto.com
FAQs About How to Fix a Leaking FaucetQ. Is it easy to fix a leaky faucet?
Like most DIY projects around the home, fixing a leaking faucet isn’t difficult, it just takes time and patience to ensure that each step in the process is properly completed and that all the parts are reassembled in the correct order.
Q. What causes a faucet to drip?
A leaky shower head, bathtub faucet, or sink faucet is typically caused by defective or worn parts inside the assembly, including O-rings, washers, and gaskets. Making a quick fix by replacing these parts is usually easier and more affordable, instead of replacing kitchen faucets entirely.
Q. Is a dripping faucet dangerous?
Having a dripping faucet in the home won’t generally cause the sink to overflow unless the drain is plugged, but the constant moisture in the air and inside the sink can cause mold to develop. Mold growth is dangerous, especially to young children who can actually develop asthma from prolonged exposure to mold.
Q. How do you stop a dripping faucet temporarily?
You can attempt to tighten the handles or find a ‘sweet spot’ that may stop the dripping, but this is in no way a foolproof or permanent method. It’s better to use a small piece of hose that can fit over the spout of the faucet. Secure the hose to the faucet with a hose clamp, then close the other end of the hose with an additional hose clamp.
This will trap the dripping water in the small piece of hose until you are ready to fix the leaky faucet.
Q. Can you fix a leaky faucet without turning off the water?
No, the water needs to be off. Either turn the water off to the entire home or just to the faucet you are repairing. Otherwise, you will be attempting to work with small parts that are easy to lose while water is spraying up and out of the faucet into the bathroom. This uncontrollable spray causes flooding and water damage, not to mention the likelihood of mold growth in the following days.
So, no, do not attempt to fix a leaky faucet without turning off the water unless you are replacing outdoor faucets and you don’t mind the full-pressure spray that will slowly soak the ground.
Photo: istockphoto.com
Final Thoughts
Leaky faucets are annoying, costly, and can lead to mold growth and health problems, so it’s important to repair or replace a dripping faucet as soon as possible. Making the repair is typically as easy as taking apart and reassembling a puzzle, as long as you know what you’re doing.
Make sure to lay out the parts in the order in which they were removed, so that they can be returned to their original position without an issue.
Also, keep in mind that while most leaky faucet problems can be fixed by replacing rubber or neoprene seals, washers, and O-rings, sometimes the issue isn’t as simple. Don’t hesitate to call a trained professional if you aren’t quite sure why the problem hasn’t been resolved.
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+How to Fix a Leaky Faucet (Cartridge or Compression)
By
Lee Wallender
Lee Wallender
Lee has over two decades of hands-on experience remodeling, fixing, and improving homes, and has been providing home improvement advice for over 13 years.
Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process
Updated on 11/16/22
Reviewed by
Richard Epstein
Reviewed by Richard Epstein
Richard Epstein is a licensed master plumber with over 40 years experience in residential and commercial plumbing.
He specializes in estimating as well as design and engineering for plumbing systems, and he works for one of New York's largest union plumbing construction companies.
Learn more about The Spruce's Review Board
Fact checked by
Sarah Scott
Fact checked by Sarah Scott
Sarah Scott is a fact-checker and researcher who has worked in the custom home building industry in sales, marketing, and design.
Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
In This Article
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Why Faucets Leak
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How to Shut Off the Water
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Fixing a Cartridge Faucet
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Fixing a Compression Faucet
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When to Replace
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When to Call a Professional
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FAQ
Project Overview
A leaky, dripping faucet can be annoying enough to keep you awake at night.
And it's not just that: A dripping faucet can waste an incredible amount of water. One drip each second can waste up to 3,000 gallons per year. That's enough to fill close to 40 standard-sized bathtubs.
Leaks can stain sink surfaces, corrode drains, tax plumbing lines, waste energy (when the leak is hot water), and generally do nothing good for you or your home.
Fortunately, most leaky faucets can be repaired by a do-it-yourselfer—with no need to call in a plumber.
Why Your Faucet Leaks or Drips
Faucets either have sink cartridges or compression valves that open and close to control the flow of water. Most faucet leaks are the result of worn cartridges or worn stem assembly washers. Replacing these parts cures most faucet leaks.
Worn Sink Cartridge
Single- and double-faucet handle faucets often contain sink cartridges hidden under the faucet handles that control the flow of water. Made of plastic and metal, sink cartridges are self-contained and cannot be repaired—but they can be removed and replaced on a one-for-one basis.
Since sink cartridges are specific to the brand and model of faucet, you'll need to purchase the exact type of cartridge for your bathroom or kitchen faucet.
Worn Compression Faucet Washer
Another style of faucet is the compression valve faucet. Common in older homes, compression faucets shut off the water when the faucet handle is turned, thus compressing a stem washer located within the assembly.
This soft rubber or silicone washer will slowly wear down. No matter how hard you tighten the faucet, the water never quite shuts off all the way.
Replacing the stem washer is usually the cure for this type of leak. This is a simple, inexpensive fix that takes care of most compression faucet leaks.
Tip
Compression valve stem washers are usually sold in inexpensive kits that have an assortment of 10 to 15 washers and screws of various sizes. This allows you to use the washer and screw that fits your faucet.
How to Shut Off Water to the Faucet
Turn off the water to the faucet at its closest point: directly below the sink.
Open the cabinet door to locate the two braided water supply lines and two shut-off valves. Shut off each line individually by turning the knob or lever clockwise until it is tight.
If the water does not shut off completely, turn off the main water shut-off valve to the entire house. This valve is often located on the inside perimeter of the home on the side facing the street.
How to Repair a Two-Handle Cartridge Faucet
Equipment / Tools
- Adjustable wrench
- Channel-lock pliers
- Set of Allen keys
- Flathead screwdriver
- Phillips-head screwdriver
- Utility knife
Materials
- Replacement faucet cartridge (if needed)
- Silicone faucet grease
- Kit of assorted stem washers and screws
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
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Remove Screw From Handle
After shutting off the water and plugging the sink drain, remove the faucet handle.
Often, there is an Allen (or hex) screw located on the side or back of the handle. Insert the end of the Allen key into the screw and turn counter-clockwise. Remove the screw and set it safely aside. The Spruce / Kevin Norris
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Remove Faucet Handle
Lift the handle straight up to remove it.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
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Loosen Retaining Nut
Locate the thin retaining nut that holds the sink cartridge in place. Clamp the adjustable pliers around the retaining nut. Turn counter-clockwise to loosen the nut. Turn out the nut the rest of the way by hand.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
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Remove Sink Cartridge
Grab the top of the sink cartridge, and pull it up to remove it. You may need to gently wiggle the cartridge to first loosen it before removing it.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
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Apply Silicone Grease
With your finger, apply a small amount of silicone faucet grease to the body of the replacement faucet cartridge.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
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Insert Replacement Cartridge
Align the tabs of the replacement cartridge with the slots on the faucet. Slide the cartridge straight down until it fully seats. With the wrench, apply the retaining nut.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
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Install the Handle
Install the faucet handle again with the Allen key and the Allen screw.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
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Test Water Flow
Turn on the water supply valves. Let the faucet run for about a minute, and then turn it off again. Check for leaks.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
Fixing a Compression Faucet
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Remove the Handle
After shutting off the water and stopping up the drain, remove the faucet handle either with the Allen key or with a Phillips-head screwdriver. Some faucets may have a decorative cap over the screw. Remove this cap with a flat-head screwdriver or the edge of a utility knife.
Unscrew the handle and set it and its screw aside.The Spruce / Kevin Norris
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Remove the Valve Cover (if Present) and Valve Stem Assembly
The valve stem assembly may have a cover over it, which you remove by unscrewing the knob with pliers.
Once the cover is removed (or if it was never there), with pliers, grip the hex head of the valve stem assembly. Screw counter-clockwise to remove it.
Tip
Note that the hex screw head is integrated into the valve stem assembly. It is not a separate retaining nut.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
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Remove the Washer Screw
Use the Phillips-head screwdriver to remove the screw holding the stem washer in place.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
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Remove Stem Washer
With your fingernail or the edge of the utility knife, pick the stem washer out of the valve stem assembly.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
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Replace Stem Washer
Firmly place the new stem washer on the valve stem assembly.
Screw the washer screw over the top.The Spruce / Kevin Norris
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Assemble Faucet
Replace the valve cover (if applicable). Attach the handle. Add any decorative caps over the top.
Turn on the water again below the sink and let it run for about a minute. Turn off the faucet and check for leaks.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
When to Replace Your Leaky Faucet Instead of Fixing It
Faucet Is 10 to 20 Years Old
Faucets that are more than 10 to 20 years old may have other issues. Much like an old car, the faucet will work for a while until yet another section of it breaks down. Eventually, it's easier and less expensive to buy a new one.
Repairs Take Too Long
Leaky faucet repairs should take a half hour or up to an hour. You shouldn't be spending hours working on your bathroom or kitchen faucet. If it's over an hour and you're still working on your faucet, you may want to consider replacing it instead.
Repairs Cost Too Much
Balance the cost of the repairs against the cost of replacement. An inexpensive faucet may not be worth repairing unless you only need to replace a few washers. Expensive faucets usually are worth repairing.
The cost of the faucet cartridge is usually the determining factor, since this is the most expensive part. Most faucet cartridges cost from $10 to $50, with a few cartridges in the $50 to $100 range.
Repairs Aren't Working
Faucets are mechanical devices that see constant use, so they don't last forever. If you cannot repair the dripping faucet on your own, it's usually time to pull it out and replace it with a new faucet.
When to Call a Professional
Plumbers can repair most leaky faucets, plus they can replace faucets if necessary. While bathroom and kitchen faucets can generally be repaired or replaced by most homeowners, plumbers can step in and do the job instead if it is cumbersome or complicated.
Plumbers—especially emergency plumbers—can be expensive, even for the short amount of time needed to repair a faucet. Before making a call, weigh the cost of the plumber against the cost of purchasing a new faucet.
Article Sources
The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Fix a Leak Week. United States Environmental Protection Agency.
The faucet in the kitchen is leaking and dripping
The situation when the faucet in the kitchen is leaking happens quite often in everyday life, and it is not always convenient and profitable to call a repairman. Almost all malfunctions in plumbing can be eliminated by yourself if you correctly establish the reason why the faucet is dripping, leaking, or generally faulty. And to solve this issue, let's figure out how you can fix it yourself.
Contents:
- The main reasons why the faucet in the kitchen is leaking and dripping
- How to determine the cause of leaks?
- Construction of kitchen faucets and their types
- Do-it-yourself repair of a faucet in a kitchen sink
- Replacing the rubber seal
- Repair and replacement of the gooseneck
- Replacement and repair of the axle box
- Tips for prevention
Before starting the repair of the mixer, it is useful to study the design features of their various types and methods of restoration.
Modern high-tech sensor faucets
The main reasons why the faucet in the kitchen is leaking and dripping
Any repair of a kitchen faucet begins with troubleshooting and the causes of their occurrence, while the following cases most often occur:
- A low-quality device is purchased.
Such situations occur quite often with a large number of cheap Chinese goods on the market, and it is not guaranteed that the goods from a well-known brand are not fake. When buying, you should choose a product in the average price range and pay attention to the material of its manufacture. - If the faucet drips in the kitchen, the cause of the malfunction may be poor-quality installation of the device by an unqualified specialist, most often the mixing parts are poorly connected or incorrectly matched and the gaskets are installed.
- The faucet leaks even if it was not used correctly - the handle turned at the wrong angle or excessive force was applied when moving it.
- The main cause of leaks in the kitchen sink is the wear of the main parts of the faucet - gaskets, locking mechanisms (faucet boxes) and other moving parts.
- Sometimes there is a situation in which water from the taps flows in a thin stream or drips when the handle is turned - the cause may be clogging of the aerator filter with sand or dirt at the outlet of the spout.
Single Lever Kitchen Mixer Taps
How to determine the cause of leaks?
To find out what kind of problem has already occurred and why the tap is dripping, consider the sources of leakage in the following places:
A leaky or dripping faucet doesn't need to be replaced to fix, most problems can be fixed by hand.
Standard Twin Valve Kitchen Faucets
If the water flow is too low
The main causes of poor flow when the mixer is working properly are clogged filter aerator, broken cartridge or shut-off valve, abraded gaskets.
In the first case, the aerator filter is unscrewed from the spout, cleaned with a brush and washed; replacement of parts is necessary to eliminate other malfunctions.
Leaking under the sink
If the kitchen faucet under the sink is leaking, the water supply hose is probably leaking due to damage or the gasket is worn where it connects to the body.
In this case, you can run to the store for a new hose or seals. The repair consists in replacing the entire hose or the sealing rubber rings on its outlet at the connection point.
Spout connection leak
When a kitchen faucet leaks at the spout connection to the body, the seals at the leaking base have been damaged or worn out. To fix the problem, you should purchase new rubber gaskets and replace the old worn rubber rings with a new seal.
Gander is leaking
The faucet spout can leak if its body is damaged, the main reason for such a defect is clogging of the filter at its outlet, as a result of which water pressure leads to cracks in the metal tube.
If a malfunction is found in single-lever models with a non-separable outflow built into the body, you will have to completely change the mixer, with the exception of the cartridge. In a two-valve design, the gooseneck can be easily removed and replaced with a new one.
Other causes of water leaks
Sometimes the faucet starts to work badly after some time for no particular reason, and it is not immediately clear what to do if the faucet drips. The main reason for such a malfunction is the formation of a precipitate of lime salts on plumbing parts.
In this case, it is necessary to dismantle and clean the faucet, using special household chemicals for cleaning sanitary ware from limescale.
Single-lever faucet components
Kitchen faucets and their types
Although there is a large selection of kitchen faucets on the market, they can all be divided into three groups depending on their design features: two-valve, single lever and touch.
The last type is a product of modern innovative technologies, provides water supply without direct contact when hands and any objects enter the infrared or ultrasonic sensor area.
Typically, sensor views are set to a certain temperature and flow, and therefore are inconvenient for use in a kitchen where constant changes in the parameters of the water jet are required.
Single-lever
The ball-type faucet allows you to control the temperature and flow of water with a single lever. The main elements that control the water supply are internal cartridges in the form of a hollow ball with pilot holes or cylindrical cartridges with built-in ceramic plates.
The single-lever type is designed so that the replacement of the most frequently failing cartridge does not present any particular difficulties for any owner, the disadvantages of ceramic cartridges include high sensitivity to water pollution.
Two-valve faucet - constructive device
Two-valve
Faucet mixers are a classic version of devices for regulating the water supply, temperature control is carried out by turning separately located hot and cold water valves. The scheme of the valve mechanism can include two types of locking devices: worm with a rubber shut-off valve and ceramic with a ceramic sealing cylinder.
The design of the ceramic kitchen faucet differs from the worm type in that it only takes half or a quarter of a turn to lock and open.
The disadvantage of the rubber gasket is a short service life and poor performance at very high temperatures, ceramics are more wear and temperature resistant, but can be damaged if solid particles of sand enter the plumbing.
Appearance of plumbing valves and cartridges
Do-it-yourself kitchen sink faucet repair
Do-it-yourself kitchen faucet repair is a fairly simple task with the right tools and minimal knowledge of plumbing equipment. The task is greatly simplified when single-lever devices break down - a simple replacement of a damaged cartridge is required to restore performance.
Required Tools
To disassemble a double handle faucet or change the cartridge in a single lever model, the following tools are required:
- Adjustable plumbing wrench. With it, you can dismantle the two-valve mixer by unscrewing the decorative trim and the nut that secures the cartridge, the key is the main tool of any plumber.
- Allen key or screwdriver. A tool is needed when disassembling the valve to remove the handles and mixer heads, which can be screwed to the shut-off bushings with hexagonal or Phillips screws.
- Sharp knife. It may be necessary for work on removing plugs, fitting rubber seals, cutting linen tow or synthetic sealing tape.
Plumbing Repair Tools and Accessories
Before repairing a faucet in the kitchen, you need to purchase the necessary parts (cartridge, rubber seal) and auxiliary sealing materials in the form of silicone grease, linen rags. It is useful to have modern highly effective household chemicals on hand to combat limescale, which makes it difficult to dismantle plumbing parts.
Preparatory work
Solving the problem, if the faucet in the kitchen is leaking - how to fix it yourself, before doing the work, you should make the necessary preparation. When a complex repair is ahead or you doubt your ability to cope with the task, you can make a small water reserve.
Repair of a faucet involves shutting off the common water line in the apartment, so before carrying out work, you should make sure that closing the common water supply valves completely eliminates leaks.
Replacing the rubber gasket
Replacing the gaskets in the two-valve model is the most common do-it-yourself kitchen faucet repair. In this case, the sealing rings can be changed at the place where the spout is fixed to the body or on the lock box.
Most often, the seal is worn out or missing on the lock box, the main tool and accessories for the job are a wrench and a set of gaskets.
Replacing the seals in the two-valve shut-off box
Before changing the gasket in the faucet, perform the following operations:
- Remove the plastic plug and use a Phillips screwdriver to unscrew the screw securing the rotary handwheel.
- After removing the flywheel with an adjustable wrench, the locking box is unscrewed from the mixer body; in some models, the decorative nut is removed before that.
- Replace the worn seal on the body and the check valve of the axlebox, having previously coated it with silicone grease.
Before changing the gasket in the tide, it is necessary to isolate the metal adjustable wrench from direct contact with the locking head to avoid damaging it. For this, insulating material (duct tape, paper) is placed on a turnkey basis, and after the ebb is removed, the old ring gaskets are replaced with new ones.
When changing the gasket in a mixer with a ceramic bushing, you usually get all the rubber and ceramic seals in a standard replacement kit. The device is disassembled similarly to the example above, the replacement of the gasket in the tap occurs without much difficulty.
The wear of the sealing gum located between the plates of the cartridge case in most cases cannot be repaired, since it is produced in a non-separable version.
Do-it-yourself kitchen plumbing repair - cartridge replacement
Repair and replacement of the gooseneck
Replacement of the gooseneck in a two-valve faucet occurs in the standard way; the old element is unscrewed and a new element is installed.
In the single-lever version, the gander is installed in the body, so it is impossible to remove it - you need to completely replace the mixer or repair the current ebb.
Cold welding, epoxy resin and other building materials are used to seal gaps and cracks in the body of a damaged tide.
Since the castings are made of metal (copper alloys, brass) that lends itself well to soldering, soldering is the best and most effective way to restore them. Before work, the top layer of the chrome coating is removed with sandpaper and the cracks in the gander tube are sealed with a high-power soldering iron.
Replacement and repair of axle box
Before replacing the crane, you should purchase a similar product in the distribution network. In most cases, the body of the old part does not change, the design of the bushing valve makes it easy to disassemble it and change worn gaskets and ceramic parts.
Disassembling a double lever faucet
Prevention tips
Repairing a kitchen faucet won't take long if you know how to choose the right model.
It is necessary to purchase a device made of high quality materials (stainless steel, copper alloys, brass), to increase the service life, an additional filter should be installed in the water line.
To repair a two-valve mixer with your own hands, it is enough to disassemble the bushing faucet, replace ceramic discs and rubber gaskets, and when repairing single-lever models, change the cartridge. These works are easy to do on your own with a plumbing adjustable wrench, as well as minimal knowledge and skills in the field of plumbing.
Kitchen sink faucet leaking: do-it-yourself repair
Since kitchen faucets are used much more often than bathroom faucets, there are more problems with them - failure, leakage and other breakdowns. In some cases, you have to completely change the device. If the faucet in the sink in the kitchen is leaking, repairs can be carried out with the help of a locksmith or on your own. Do-it-yourself repairs will require a little experience, the availability of tools and knowledge of the design.
Content
- Signs, which make repairs
- Features of different types of mixers
- Two -cranes
- Single -leaf species
- Causes of the mixer 9000 faucet
Signs that require repair
Kitchen faucet repair is required under the following circumstances:
- there is a leak from under the nut at the spout, as well as from under the handle, valve, during switching on;
- malfunctions in the movements of the lever, for example, the inability to fix it or there is scrolling;
- weak jet with strong water pressure;
- dripping water with the faucet closed.
If any of the described symptoms appear, repairs should be carried out immediately in order to increase the life of the device and prevent flooding.
Features of different types of faucets
In kitchens, it is more common and practical to use traditional faucets, with one or two levers.
Common parts include body, spout, aerator and gaskets for sealing. The rest of the parts are very different.
Double valve
This technique is classic and very simple. Under the flywheel, which rotates when the water is turned on, there is a faucet box that performs a locking function. In devices where it is necessary to turn the flywheels to stop and supply water, worm-type axle boxes are installed. They are based on rotating movements, the more you unscrew the valve, the more water will come out through the spout.
There are bushings with ceramic panels that require only half a turn in the tap to supply water. During opening, the holes match, water flows through the spout. The cost of the box is low, you can always find it in a plumbing store and make a replacement.
Single lever types
A single lever mixer in the kitchen is considered more fashionable and modern. With its help, the pressure and temperature are regulated by only one lever.
Water is mixed using a hollow ball or cartridge.
When using ball tools, note that they will have 3 holes. 2 inputs, where hot and cold water enters, 1 output is needed to drain into the sink. The mechanism itself stands on 2 rubber “saddles”, and when the lever is shifted, you can set the desired pressure and water temperature. Fixation is carried out with a sealing cuff and a nut for the stopper.
The main problem with seal failures is small specks and debris that is in the water pipes. To fix the problem, you need to disassemble the faucet and remove the dirt.
Cartridge devices work in a similar way, but there is no ball mechanism inside. The internal structure is significantly different. There are 3 holes available, as in the first case, but inside the cartridge are small ceramic discs, with which the water supply is adjusted. If such a device flows, then the repair is almost no different from the ball type.
Faucet Leak Causes
A kitchen faucet leak can be of different nature and causes.
Among the main types are the following:
- water coming from under the gander . A common problem if there is a two-valve faucet. The reason is the wear of the gaskets, which fail when the water is turned on frequently. To replace, it is enough to unscrew the nut, remove the gander and put a new gasket or cut it out of rubber. When reassembling, do not tighten the nut tightly so as not to damage the base, especially if it is made of silumin;
- leakage from the valve or inability to completely close the water . To solve the problem, the axle box assembly is changed;
- under sink leak . Often the problem is hidden in the hoses that bring water to the faucet or the wear of the gasket at the connection points. Repair consists in the usual replacement of the hose or seal;
- poor quality mixer . The problem appears very often, especially if a Chinese crane is purchased.
The service life is only a couple of years, after which it begins to flow; - incorrect installation or poor workmanship . The leakage problem is caused by incorrect selection of gaskets or poor connection of parts;
- incorrect use of mixer . Problems begin when turning the handles at a different angle or increased effort on the levers.
If the mixer does not work well after a certain period of operation, and there are no obvious reasons, then the problem is hidden in the limescale on the parts. To solve the problem, you need to disassemble the device and completely clean it of salts using household chemicals.
It is not uncommon for a leak problem to occur when a new faucet is installed, when it shouldn't be. In this case, there is room for marriage and the product must be replaced under warranty. It is strictly forbidden to repair the device, as this will not make it possible to make a replacement.
Do-it-yourself mixer repair
Before you remove the faucet and repair it, you need to prepare the tool. This will require:
- knife;
- wrench or wrench set;
- screwdriver;
- replacement parts, depending on the type of failure;
- grease in the form of WD-40 to make loosening parts easier;
- pliers.
Regardless of the type of faucet, the water supply must be shut off and residues must be drained from the system before starting work. After that, repairs can be carried out based on the design features of the mixer.
Single-lever taps
The main principle of operation is the gradual implementation of actions and accuracy. The execution steps are as follows:
- Use a small screwdriver or knife to remove the plug on the mixer body.
- The hole will show the screw that connects the lever and stem for adjustment. With the help of a hexagon, it is unscrewed.
- The lever is removed from the body, the protective cover is unscrewed, under which there is a clamping nut.
It must be carefully removed with a wrench. - For a ball device, there will be a collar for sealing under the nut, the ball is pulled out, inspected for cleanliness and deformations.
- Remove cartridge from cartridge faucet and inspect for damage.
- Parts are being replaced, everything is assembled in reverse order.
Don't tighten the nuts too tight, as this will cause the rubber seals to deform and cause the faucet to malfunction. For smooth running and longer service life, silicone grease can be used. For clarity of repair, it is recommended to familiarize yourself with the video:
How to repair a mixer
Watch this video on YouTube
Two-valve valves
The procedure for repairing 2-valve valves is almost the same, but how to disassemble it correctly is presented in a step-by-step guide:
- Pry off the plug on the valve handwheel and remove it.
- Loosen the fixing screw with a screwdriver.
- Remove the flywheel to get to the bushing, unscrew the part counterclockwise and carry out a detailed inspection.
- The worm gear is often damaged gasket, so it must be changed separately. The axle box with ceramics changes as an assembly.
- After completing the work, assemble the mixer in reverse order.
In addition to a leaky faucet, there are other possible problems. For example, the degree of contamination of parts, namely the aerator, depends on the quality of tap water. Solid debris accumulates inside it, and when there is a lot of it, the pressure is significantly weakened. To do this, you need to replace the part or simply remove it for cleaning.
If there is a crack in the product, the mixer must be completely replaced. To temporarily solve the problem, you can seal the hole with sealant.
Complete replacement of the faucet
If it is not possible to repair the faucet and eliminate the leak, then you need to buy a new plumbing fixture and have it replaced.
To do this, you need screwdrivers, keys and containers for water. Regardless of the faucet models, the replacement procedure is the same and is as follows:
- First of all, the old faucet is removed. To begin with, the water supply from the central system is closed, the valves on the tap are opened to completely relieve pressure and remove residues in the system.
- Open the flexible hoses from the supply pipes, drain the water in them into a bucket or basin.
- Disconnect the siphon from the sewerage, if desired and possible to remove the sink, this will greatly simplify further work.
- Unscrew the fixture of the mixer from the bottom of the sink, remove the product with hoses through the hole in the sink.
- To install new equipment, buy hoses and screw them to the mixer. It is important to monitor the presence of gaskets and their correct location.
- A sealing ring is placed in the faucet body to prevent water from entering under the cabinet.
- The hoses are inserted into the opening of the sink, the mixer is fixed with a special plate. It is held on with one bolt.
- If the sink has been removed, fix it back, seal the joints with sealant.
- Connect the hoses to the pipeline, install a siphon and turn on the water supply valve.
After the work has been done, check the functionality, the presence of leaks on all connections. More often it appears at the junction of a hose with a mixer or pipeline.
Maintenance
Faucet repair may not always give good results, in some cases a complete replacement of the device is required. Experts advise to adhere to a few simple rules, with which the equipment serves for a long time:
- , if possible, install filters for rough water purification in order to exclude specks and other dirt from the water supply;
- if you install a salt filter, the parts will be protected from lime, so you can forget about leaks and repairs for a long time;
- The highest quality and most durable faucets are brass, and low-quality ones are made of silumin.
Often, cheap faucets are produced by Chinese and Turkish manufacturers;
- single-lever designs are more modern and more convenient, they are easier to repair.
- for cleaning the body and other parts, it is better to use creamy substances or gels that are suitable for the metal of the mixer. Do not use brushes or alkaline cleaners;
- to preserve chromium, all traces of detergents must be removed immediately with plain water;
- gaskets and other parts should be changed once every 2-3 years, possibly more often. This preventive measure is much cheaper than replacing the entire faucet;
- Open and close the valves all the way, but without effort.
Knowing what to do when the faucet in the kitchen is leaking, you can replace parts or the entire faucet yourself. Often the described schemes are suitable for all appliances, including in the bathroom. Before performing work, it is important to determine the cause of the leak, and when choosing new mixers, you should buy only high-quality goods, not give preference to cheap products.
