No matter how expensive and technologically advanced your faucet is, it might start leaking at some point. High-quality faucets tend to leak less than low-quality ones, but that doesn’t mean they’re invulnerable. Sometimes, a faucet might start leaking since you finish installing it, and that might be your fault.
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Do you know how to fix a leaky kitchen faucet?
In the following article, we explain how to fix your leaky faucet in a step-by-step guide, so you will be able to repair any unit in simple and easy-to-follow steps.
So, without any ado, here’s how to fix a leaky kitchen faucet
Determine Where The Leak Is Coming From
The first thing you should do is to determine the cause of the leak. A faucet that drips from the end of the spout will require a different repair than one that leaks around its base.
Determine The Faucet’s Type
Each type of faucet works in a specific way, and it has different components than other types. You will need to determine the faucet’s type before proceeding with the repairs. To find out what type of faucet you have, you will need to remove the handle.
- Compression Faucet – These faucets have two handles, so you can easily determine its type.
- Ceramic Disk Faucet – This faucet contains a ceramic cylinder under the handle.
- Cartridge Faucet – This faucet contains a cartridge under the handle.
- Ball Faucet – This faucet contains a ball bearing under the handle
A. How To Fix A Compression Faucet
Compression faucets are easy to repair, and usually, their spare parts are cheap. Here’s how you do it.
- Remove the handles – usually using a straight or Phillips screwdriver
- Remove the nut – you will need a wrench to remove the nut. After removing the nut, the O-ring will be visible
- Inspect the O-ring and the washer – keep in mind that the O-ring is thinner than the washer, and the washer is usually made out of rubber. If the faucet is leaking around the handles, you should change the O-ring. If the faucet’s body is leaking, you should change the washer.
- Reassemble the handle – After replacing the O-ring or the washer, reassemble the handle. Do the same thing for the other handle, if necessary.
B. How To Fix A Ceramic Disk Faucet
Ceramic disk faucets are durable, and they work flawlessly for a long time before starting to leak. If they start leaking, however, you should know how to fix them.
- Remove the handle
- Take out the escutcheon cap – the escutcheon usually sits directly under the handle and it’s made out of metal.
- Remove the disk cylinder – using a wrench, remove the disk cylinder and expose the neoprene seals
- Clean the seals – take the seals out and clean them using white vinegar. If the hard water buildup is considerable, let the seals soak in vinegar for several hours and then inspect them. If you believe the seals are in very bad shape, buy new ones.
- Reassemble the handle – put the seals back or replace them with new ones. Reassemble the faucet and turn the water on slowly at first. The ceramic disk needs to be soaked before you can turn the water on forcefully. Otherwise, it can crack.
C. How To Fix A Cartridge Faucet
Cartridge faucets are durable, and most of them are more difficult to repair than other faucet types. Here’s how you do it
- Remove the handle
- Take out the retaining clip – some cartridge faucets use a retaining clip to hold the cartridge in place. The clip is circular and it can be taken out using pliers
- Remove the cartridge
- Take out the faucet spout – using a wrench, take out the faucet spout and locate the O-rings
- Remove the O-rings – The O-rings are hard to remove, and you will need to cut them with a thin knife. Coat the new O-rings in vaseline or plumber’s grease before you try to install them.
- Reassemble the handle
D. How To Fix A Ball Faucet
Ball faucets are usually durable, but they’re also complicated and expensive to repair. If you want to repair a ball faucet, you will need to buy some replacement parts and probably some tools. You can find replacement kits at most local retailers, and they shouldn’t cost more than $20 – $30. Here’s how you repair them
- Remove the handle
- Remove the cap and collar – using a wrench or pliers, remove the cap and collar. You should also loosen the cam at this point, using the special tool in the repair kit.
- Remove the cam – remove the cam along with the washer and the ball
- Take out the seals and springs – you might need some thin pliers for this operation because you have to reach into the mechanism.
- Replace the O-rings – Remove the old O-rings by cutting them and coat the new ones in vaseline or plumbers grease before installing them.
- Replace all the old elements – your repair kit should also include new springs, cam washers, and valve seats. Use all of them to replace the old ones.
- Reassemble the handle – Once you reassemble the handle, the faucet should be as good as new.
Also, check out touchless kitchen faucet reviews and commercial kitchen faucets here!
Wrap Up
Nobody wants to have a leaky faucet in their kitchen, but these things happen sometimes. And if it happens to you, you should know how to fix leaky kitchen faucet. Fixing a faucet is usually not expensive, but it can be problematic, especially if you don’t have any previous experience with DIY projects.
We’re certain that after reading our short step-by-step guide on how to fix faucets you are now able to determine where the leak comes from, and how to fix a faulty unit all by yourself.
Keep in mind that most faucets come with a lifetime warranty, so contact the customer support service before you try fixing the faucet by yourself.