Drain the Faucet. With this in mind, we will address some of the most common leaky kitchen faucet issues that naturally come with its use. Grab the clip with pliers and pull it the rest of the way out to avoid losing it. Remember to pick up a small toothpaste-type tube of plumber's grease while you're there. Clean your aerator by removing it and soaking it overnight in white vinegar. Pry out the brass retainer clip with the tip of a screwdriver. ", Step 5: Our latest shed is also a pavilion—and you can build it, too! Loosen mineral deposits by soaking them in vinegar. Leaking at the underbody Make sure the connections are tight and secure to the countertop For pull outs and pull down faucets, pull down on the spray hose connection to the faucet (or tighten this connection if yours is threaded on) and make sure it will not disconnet and is secured/tight. Use the plastic spanner cap or the tips of needle-nose pliers to rotate the cartridge. But if you have another brand or a disc-type faucet, you may have to order parts, since there are too many variations for most stores to keep in stock. Look for the small notch on top of the stem and rotate the stem until the notch faces you. If you have a Delta or other rotary ball faucet, you're in luck because you'll find repair kits in most hardware stores and home centers. If those valves don't work or if you don't have any, you'll have to close the main water valve to your entire home. Once you lift off the handle, you’ll see a cap and adjusting ring. Sealing around faucets are crucial to make the installation complete. Fixing leaky faucets is quick and inexpensive; even the most amateur DIYer can tackle this task. A digital camera or video camera is handy for recording each step in case you forget. You can’t grab the flattened edges with the handle in place. Faucet valves have come a long way from the days of a simply replacing a rubber washer in a compression faucet to stop a leak. Before you start, examine the dripping faucet closely to determine where the water is coming from. In fact, the hardest step to fix a leaky faucet is usually finding the right replacement parts. If leak persists: Replace Ball Assembly (#1 in diagram — Repair part RP70 as shown for lever handles or RP212 for knob handles) Leaks from base of the spout: Need Help? It has a screen that can get clogged with sediment and scale. Reassemble the faucet in the reverse order. Kitchen Faucet Sealant: Easiest Ways to Do. Twist the valve under your sink to turn off the water supply valve or valves. Manufacturers have improved the strength of ceramic discs on newer faucets to withstand air blasts, as well as abrasive debris that may get dislodged from the inside of pipes. To repair the leak, simply remove the handle, pull out the ceramic cartridge and replace it … Here we show how to replace a Moen cartridge, but the process is similar for other brands. Reattach the packing nut and tighten with a crescent wrench; be careful not to overtighten. But in most cases, the safest bet is to take the worn parts to the store with you. Using a crescent wrench, loosen the packing nut in the handle assembly, then remove and set aside. Lift the handle and pry off the decorative cover to expose the Allen screw. This kit is Ideal for single-handle faucets and contains the parts needed to repair Delta old-style and new-style faucets. Replace the ball if it's scratched, cracked or visibly worn. In fact, many manufacturers offer a lifetime guarantee on the cartridge. The valve/cartridge is located under the handle. REMOVE THE CAP. Remove the Cartridge Note: When you know the type of faucet parts make up your sink hardware, you know how to classify your faucet. The annoying drip of a leaky faucet handle can cause higher water bills and make an irritating dripping noise. After the faucet is reassembled, open the faucet to the middle position and gradually open the shutoff valves to turn on the water. Note: The diagram below is a general representation of this faucet type showing common replacement parts. ", Costa Farms Dracaena Marginata in 6 in. Leave the faucet open until water flows freely and all the air is out of the pipes. Faucet is leaking or dripping from the handle. Inspect the holes in the faucet body and clean them out if they're clogged. If there is a set screw behind the handle, insert a hex key or Allen wrench into the screw and turn it to remove. If the faucet seems to be leaking from there, try tightening the adjusting ring with needle-nose pliers. Speak to an associate at your local Home Depot or call your local plumber. Leaks around the base of the spout are caused by worn O-rings located under the spout. We’ll also show you how to stop leaks around the base of the spout and fix leaking faucets. Pry off the decorative screw cover with your fingernail or the tip of a knife. Remove the retainer nut by turning it counterclockwise with large slip-joint pliers. Thread on the cap with the adjusting ring and tighten it with the slip-joint pliers. Take the cartridge to the home center or hardware store to find a replacement. Really stubborn cartridges may require the use of a special cartridge-pulling tool. Faucet is leaking or dripping at the base, near the countertop. Unscrew the metal handle adapter and lift it off. If there aren’t individual shutoff valves under the sink, shut off the water supply for the house. Turn the screw counterclockwise until it's loose enough to lift the handle up from the stem. Sign up for our newsletter! If your faucet doesn't have a stainless-steel ball, it's likely a ceramic-cartridge faucet. Grab the cartridge stem with pliers and pull it straight up and out. ", Step 4: If that doesn’t stop the […] On some models of faucet you may have to remove the cartridge with a specialized tool, which will be indicated on manufacturer’s instructions. Depending on the dripping faucet, you'll also have to remove the handle and other parts to access the spout. The tools you’ll need for this how to fix a leaky faucet project vary a little depending on the faucet you’re repairing. We recommend our users to update the browser. If there aren’t individual shutoff valves under the sink, shut off the water supply for the house. Cartridge-style faucet parts and assembly. Drop the new springs in the recesses and press the new rubber seats over the top with your fingertip. Slow water flow can be caused by plugged holes in the faucet body. Remove the Handle Check out homedepot.com for more guides on plumbing repair, including faucet replacement. How to repair a two handle kitchen faucet that is leaking from the neck. Along those pipes somewhere will be handles that you can turn to shut off the water to your sink. If the handle has a top screw cover, pry it off with a flat screwdriver and set aside. Loosen the cartridge by slipping the plastic spanner cap (included with the new cartridge) over the cartridge and twisting it back and forth. Fix a Leaky Faucet-Shut Off the Water Twist the valve under your sink to turn off the water supply valve or valves. Install New Cartridge Local store prices may vary from those displayed. If the water flow through the faucet is slow, the aerator may be plugged. If the sound of a dripping faucet, and the thought of how much water you’re wasting, keeps you up at night, you’re in luck. Doesn’t sit snugly in the cradle. Pay close attention to the order and orientation of parts as you remove them. If that doesn’t stop the leak, you’ll need to replace the faucet’s seats and springs. Don't be surprised if the cartridge seems stuck. Align the groove in the ball with the pin in the socket and drop the ball in. Bad O-Ring. Gently pry off the handle cap with a knife. Complete DIY projects like a pro! Cartridges and repair kits for Moen “cartridge type” faucets are also readily available. It may take considerable force to pull it out. Luckily, it's quite an easy problem to fix yourself. Recommended Solution -Water can leak from various areas. Many faucet brands use a cartridge of some type. This troubleshooting document relates to standard, pull-out, and pull-down kitchen faucets. Finally, cover the sink drain holes with strainer baskets or rags to avoid losing small parts down the drain. Twist and pull up on the spout to remove it and expose the O-ring seals. Even if you've gotten used to the drip-drip-drip from your kitchen faucet, and it no longer keeps you awake at night, you should still fix it. For easier reassembly, set the parts aside in the order they were removed. Inspect the O-rings around the housing. Grower Pot-6MARG, ZEVO Instant Action 10 oz. [1] X Research source Twist clockwise to shut off. Please call us at: 1-800-HOME-DEPOT (1-800-466-3337), Please enter in your email address in the following format: you@domain.com. Turn it clockwise with the spanner tool included in the repair kit. Regardless of the type of faucet — whether it’s a single handle cartridge faucet … Leaks around the base of the spout require a different repair than a drip from the end of the spout. Be persistent. A handle leak can puddle onto the base plate (escutcheon) making it appear to be a leak at the base of the faucet. Install the new O-rings and lubricate them with plumber's grease. Tip: Insert a sink stopper or cover the sink opening with a towel to prevent any tools from falling down the drain as you make your repairs. Doing your own faucet repair may seem daunting, but once you learn the basics, modern faucets are fairly easy to repair. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer) as we strive to provide site experiences for browsers that support new web standards and security practices. How To Fix a Leaky Ceramic Disk Faucet: Push the handle back to access the set screw. This type of valve is sturdy and reliable and rarely needs fixing. Slip the tip of a screwdriver under the O-rings to slide them out of the groove. The diagram below shows the parts and assembly of a rotary ball faucet. Tightening the cap works because most leaks in rotary ball faucets occur around the handle or spout. Discs inside the cartridge control the water flow. How to Fix a Leaky Faucet Handle. We’re showing kitchen faucets and kitchen faucet repair for a dripping faucet, but you can fix most single-lever bathroom faucets using the same procedures. Remove the escutcheon cap, unscrew the disk cylinder mounting screws, and lift out the cylinder. When faucets start to leak it can be very frustrating if you don't know what type of parts to buy to repair the leak. When the water runs smoothly, it's safe to turn the faucet off. Unscrew the dome assembly under the handle. Run both hot and cold water through your faucet few for a few minutes to ensure your aerator isn’t clogged. 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. This troubleshooting document relates to standard, pull-out, and pull-down kitchen faucets. Unscrew the aerator and clean it out. Turn on the faucet and leave open, allowing the remaining water in the line to empty into the sink. Kitchen Faucet Repair: Loosen a stuck screw on a single-handle faucet A single-handle ball-type 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. 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. If you do not find the answer you need here, please use the Technical Document search to find maintenance instructions for your specific model. Remove the screws that hold the disc cartridge to the faucet body and lift out the cartridge. Water is a precious resource, and you're paying for what you waste. Note: If water is leaking out around the base of the faucet handle, you may be able to fix the leak by removing the handle and simply tightening the adjusting ring slightly. Use a cloth or fine nylon abrasive pad to clean the surface. Install the remaining parts and reattach the handle. Remove the Springs. Spout O-ring kits are available for many faucets, or you can take the old O-rings to the hardware store or plumbing supply store and match them up with new ones. Then turn off the water supply to the dripping faucet. Buy a set of small Allen wrenches and you’ll be prepared for all kinds of leaking faucets. Then, use a Phillips head screwdriver to loosen the screw underneath the cover. If the faucet drips from the … Otherwise, take the cartridge with you to the store so you can match it to a photo in the parts catalog. All Rights Reserved. Then replace the rubber seals on the underside. The aerator is an add-on that screws onto the spout of a kitchen or bathroom faucet. How you remove the handle depends on your faucet type: Tip: The aerator is the piece that screws onto the end of the faucet spout. Use of this site is subject to certain Terms Of Use. Leaks can result from faulty rubber seals or a cracked disc inside the cartridge. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer), 9 Ways to Keep Your Dog Active Inside During the Winter, Expert Tips for an Easy Faucet Installation, Do Not Sell My Personal Information – CA Residents. If you're having trouble finding parts, call the manufacturer of your faucet for help. Turn on the faucet and leave open, allowing the remaining water in the line to empty into the sink. Home House & Components Fixtures Faucets. If water is leaking, tighten the ring … A leaky faucet wastes a surprisingly large amount of water—as much as 3 gallons a day. Look underneath your sink for the pipes that run up. Causes of the Leak The spout may be a little stubborn. Then turn off the water supply to the dripping faucet. Fish out the springs and … © 2000-2020 Home Depot Product Authority, LLC. There are generally two causes of water leaking from your Moen faucet. You'll probably find shutoff valves under the sink. The kitchen faucet is the most frequently used faucet in the home. Most repairs also require screwdrivers and a pair of large slip-joint pliers. In some faucets, … When the handle is turned on the water puddles around the faucet base. Turn the Allen screw counterclockwise to remove it and lift off the handle. If your product is covered by our Lifetime Warranty, please contact our customer service team for your product parts: 1-800-PFAUCET (1-800-732-8238).To purchase replacement parts for your out of warranty faucet, visit our Where to Buy page and select the online retailer section. Why it 's quite an easy problem to fix a leaky Faucet-Shut off the handle back access... Of large slip-joint pliers, shut off be leaking from there, try tightening adjusting. Handle or spout ; even the most amateur DIYer can tackle this task parts to access the spout,! Blast of pressurized air or towels from your Moen faucet open until flows! Usually required to access the spout and fix leaking faucets the pipes that run up if. Create a better seal and help prevent water leaks remove them the order they were removed 1-800-466-3337... Faucets purchased prior to 2007, please enter in your email address in the handle in.... 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