DIY Guide: How to Fix a Leaky Kitchen Faucet Like a Pro

A dripping kitchen faucet isn’t just annoying; it’s a water waster that can drive up your utility bills. Thankfully, many faucet problems are surprisingly easy to fix yourself with just a few basic tools and some patience. This comprehensive guide will walk you through common faucet issues, from persistent drips to low water pressure, providing you with detailed, step-by-step instructions and troubleshooting tips so you can get your kitchen faucet back in perfect working order. Let’s dive in!

Before You Begin: Gathering Your Tools and Supplies

Before you even think about touching your faucet, preparation is key. Having the right tools on hand will make the repair process smoother and more efficient. Here’s what you’ll likely need:

• Basin Wrench: This specialized wrench is designed to reach those hard-to-get-at nuts that hold your faucet in place. Essential for many faucet repairs.
• Adjustable Wrench: For loosening and tightening various nuts and connections. A must-have in any DIY toolkit.
• Pliers (Regular and Needle-Nose): For gripping, holding, and manipulating small parts. Needle-nose pliers are especially helpful for tight spaces.
• Screwdrivers (Phillips and Flathead): Different types of screws are used in faucets, so it’s good to have both on hand.
• Flashlight or Headlamp: Often, you’ll be working in dim spaces under the sink, so good lighting is crucial.
• Old Towels or Rags: To absorb any stray water and protect your countertop and cabinets.
• Bucket or Basin: To catch water when you disconnect plumbing lines.
• Plumber’s Tape (Teflon Tape): For creating watertight seals on threaded connections.
• Penetrating Oil (Optional): To help loosen stubborn nuts or connections that are corroded or stuck.
• Replacement Parts: Identify the specific type of faucet you have before you start (cartridge, compression, ball, ceramic disc) and purchase any necessary replacement O-rings, washers, cartridges, or seals. It’s always a good idea to have a faucet repair kit on hand, especially if your faucet is older.
• Safety Glasses: Protect your eyes from debris or errant water splashes.
• Camera or Smartphone: Taking pictures of each step as you disassemble the faucet can be incredibly helpful when it comes time to reassemble everything.

Important Safety First! Before you start any plumbing repairs, always turn off the water supply to your kitchen faucet. This will prevent a mess and possible water damage. The shut-off valves are usually located directly beneath the sink on the supply lines. Turn them clockwise until they are completely closed. Test the faucet to make sure the water is completely shut off.

Identifying the Type of Faucet You Have

Understanding the type of faucet you’re working with is critical, as each has a different internal mechanism. Here are the four most common types:

1. Compression Faucet: The oldest type, compression faucets use separate hot and cold handles that compress rubber washers to shut off the water flow. They are characterized by two distinct handles that require more turning to operate. A common issue with compression faucets is leaky washers.
2. Cartridge Faucet: These faucets feature a single handle that controls both water flow and temperature. The handle lifts and pivots to control the hot and cold water. A leaky cartridge is usually the culprit when these faucets drip.
3. Ball Faucet: These also have a single handle, which rotates around a spherical ball. The ball regulates water flow and temperature. Leaks are often due to wear on the ball, O-rings, or seals.
4. Ceramic Disc Faucet: The most modern type, ceramic disc faucets utilize a wide cylindrical body with a single handle on top. These use two ceramic discs which slide against each other to allow water flow. These are known for their longevity, but can be difficult to repair yourself, but if it is a simple o-ring it can still be a DIY project.

Once you’ve identified your faucet type, you can more effectively diagnose and address the problem.

Troubleshooting Common Faucet Problems

Let’s explore some typical faucet issues and their solutions:

1. Persistent Drip or Leak

Likely Causes: Worn out O-rings, washers, cartridges, or seals are the usual suspects when your faucet is dripping. The specific culprit will depend on the type of faucet you have.

Solutions:

For Compression Faucets:

1. Turn off the water supply.
2. Remove the faucet handle(s): Locate and unscrew the decorative cap on top of the handle(s). You might need a flathead screwdriver to pry off the cap.
3. Loosen the screw: Unscrew the handle screw and remove the handle.
4. Unscrew the packing nut: Use the adjustable wrench to loosen and remove the packing nut which will expose the faucet stem.
5. Remove the stem: You might need pliers to gently pull out the stem.
6. Inspect the O-rings and washers: Look for cracks, tears, or wear and tear.
7. Replace the worn O-rings and washers: Purchase new ones that match the old ones, and install them. Apply plumber’s grease to the new O-rings for smooth action and a better seal.
8. Reassemble the faucet: Carefully put everything back in the reverse order, ensuring all parts are properly aligned. Do not overtighten.
9. Turn the water supply back on slowly: Check for leaks. If dripping persists, the problem might be with the valve seat which is difficult to replace.

For Cartridge Faucets:

1. Turn off the water supply.
2. Remove the faucet handle: Use a small screwdriver to remove the decorative cap or cover concealing the screw. Remove the screw and the handle.
3. Remove the retaining clip or nut: Depending on your model, you may need to remove a retaining clip with pliers or a nut with an adjustable wrench that holds the cartridge in place.
4. Pull out the cartridge: Wiggle the cartridge gently to pull it straight up. It might be a bit stubborn.
5. Examine the cartridge: Inspect the cartridge and the surrounding O-rings for damage or wear.
6. Replace the cartridge: Install a new cartridge that matches the old one, ensuring it is properly aligned.
7. Reassemble the faucet: Put everything back in reverse order. Do not overtighten.
8. Turn the water supply back on: Check for leaks.

For Ball Faucets:

1. Turn off the water supply.
2. Remove the faucet handle: Locate the screw (often hidden by a small cover) and remove it. Remove the handle.
3. Unscrew the collar and cap: There might be a collar and a cap that need to be unscrewed using an adjustable wrench or pliers.
4. Remove the ball: Lift the ball from the faucet body.
5. Inspect O-rings and springs: Examine the O-rings, springs, and seals for wear and tear.
6. Replace worn parts: Replace any damaged O-rings, springs, or seals. You can often buy a complete rebuild kit for ball faucets.
7. Reassemble the faucet: Put everything back in reverse order. Ensure the ball is correctly positioned. Do not overtighten
8. Turn the water supply back on: Check for leaks.

For Ceramic Disc Faucets:

1. Turn off the water supply.
2. Remove the handle: Locate the screw, and remove the handle
3. Remove the escutcheon: Gently pry off the cover (escutcheon) with a flat head screw driver
4. Loosen and remove the cylinder: Unscrew the screws that secure the cylinder using the correct screw driver
5. Inspect the O-Rings: Look for damage to any o-rings located at the base of the cylinder.
6. Replace the O-Rings: Purchase o-rings that match the old ones and replace them.
7. Reassemble the faucet: Put everything back in reverse order. Do not overtighten
8. Turn the water supply back on: Check for leaks.

2. Low Water Pressure

Likely Causes: Low water pressure can result from several issues: clogged aerator, blocked supply lines, or faulty valves within the faucet.

Solutions:

1. Check the aerator: The aerator is the small screen at the tip of your faucet. Unscrew it using pliers. Clean the aerator by removing any debris or mineral buildup. You can soak it in vinegar to dissolve mineral deposits. If it is heavily damaged, replace it with a new one. Reattach it to the faucet.
2. Inspect the supply lines: Make sure the hot and cold water supply lines aren’t kinked or blocked by anything under the sink. If they seem blocked, shut off the water supply, disconnect the lines, and flush them out. If the flexible lines are worn and hard they should be replaced.
3. Examine the faucet valves: The internal valves within the faucet can sometimes be clogged with debris or become faulty over time. This is usually the case with older faucet models. It might be worth disassembling the faucet and inspecting the valves as described in the leaking faucet section. Replacing worn valves might fix low-water pressure issues.
4. Check the water pressure at other fixtures: if other faucets in your home also have low pressure, the issue is probably outside of the faucet itself and you should check your incoming water supply.

3. Loose or Wobbly Faucet

Likely Causes: Loose mounting nuts underneath the sink.

Solution:

1. Access under the sink: Get under the sink with a flashlight.
2. Locate mounting nuts: Identify the mounting nuts securing the faucet to the countertop.
3. Tighten the mounting nuts: Using a basin wrench, tighten the mounting nuts carefully. Be careful not to overtighten them, as you could damage the countertop or faucet body. Check for stability of the faucet and tighten more if needed.

4. Difficult to Turn Handle

Likely Causes: Corroded parts, mineral buildup, or old o-rings and seals.

Solution:

1. Disassemble the faucet: Follow the disassembly instructions for your specific faucet type (as in the “Persistent Drip” section)
2. Clean all parts: Use vinegar or a commercial cleaner to remove mineral buildup. Use a wire brush to gently scrub off any corrosion on threads or other parts.
3. Lubricate moving parts: Apply plumber’s grease to all O-rings, seals, and moving parts.
4. Reassemble the faucet: Put everything back together as described above.

Tips for Preventing Future Problems

• Clean your faucet regularly: Use mild soap and water to clean your faucet and remove buildup on the outside, especially at the aerator.
• Avoid abrasive cleaners: These can damage the faucet finish.
• Replace worn parts promptly: Don’t ignore small leaks or stiff handles, as they can lead to bigger problems. It will also save you money in the long run.
• Consider a water softener: If you have hard water, mineral buildup is more likely. A water softener can reduce mineral buildup in your plumbing system.

When to Call a Professional

While many faucet repairs can be handled with DIY effort, there are situations where calling a plumber is the best course of action:

• If you’re uncomfortable working with plumbing.
• If you are unable to identify the problem or the correct parts to replace.
• If the repair seems too complex.
• If the leak persists after you have tried all the DIY solutions.
• If you’ve damaged any parts or are unsure of how to reassemble.
• If there is extensive corrosion or damage to the faucet or pipes.

Knowing your limits is essential to prevent further damage. A professional plumber has the experience and tools necessary to tackle complex plumbing issues and will ensure that the job is done correctly and efficiently.

Conclusion

Fixing a leaky or malfunctioning kitchen faucet doesn’t have to be a daunting task. By following this comprehensive guide, understanding the type of faucet you have, and utilizing the right tools, you can often resolve common issues yourself, saving money and gaining a sense of accomplishment. Remember to always prioritize safety, turn off the water supply before starting, and don’t hesitate to call a professional if you’re in over your head. With a little patience and the right approach, you can restore your kitchen faucet to perfect working order and keep the water flowing as it should.