How to Ready a Leaky Faucet

Fix a dripping kitchen faucet with replacement parts.

Time

An hour or less

Complexity

Beginner

Toll

Less than $20

Introduction

You can fix almost any drippy single-lever kitchen faucet in well-nigh an hour. We'll show y'all how. The repair is a lot easier than you might retrieve, fifty-fifty for a plumbing novice.

Tools Required

Materials Required

  • Faucet repair kit
  • O-ring seals

Doing your own faucet repair may seem daunting, just once you learn the basics, modern faucets are fairly easy to repair. In fact, the hardest step to fix a leaky faucet is ordinarily finding the correct replacement parts. In this article, we'll tell you how to find replacement parts and prove you how to terminate spout drips on the three principal types of single-lever faucets: rotary ball, cartridge and ceramic disc. We're showing kitchen faucets and kitchen faucet repair for a dripping faucet, simply yous can fix most unmarried-lever bath faucets using the aforementioned procedures. Nosotros'll also show you how to stop leaks around the base of the spout and fix leaking faucets.

The tools you'll need for this how to fix a leaky faucet project vary a little depending on the faucet you're repairing. You'll probably need an Allen wrench to remove the handle. Purchase a prepare of minor Allen wrenches and you lot'll be prepared for all kinds of leaking faucets. Most repairs also require screwdrivers and a pair of large slip-joint pliers.

Project step-by-step (18)

Step i

Rotary Ball Faucet Anatomy

  • The diagram below shows the parts and associates of a rotary ball faucet.
    • Annotation: Nosotros recommend that you lot buy a repair kit that includes the ball, springs, seats and O-rings for the spout, as well as a small repair tool. With this kit, you'll be prepared for almost any repair.

Footstep two

Loosen the Allen Screw

  • Then turn off the h2o supply to the dripping faucet.
  • Elevator the handle and pry off the decorative comprehend to betrayal the Allen spiral.
  • Turn the screw counterclockwise until information technology's loose plenty to elevator the handle up from the stem.
    • Note: If water is leaking out around the base of the faucet handle, yous may exist able to fix the leak past removing the handle and simply tightening the adjusting ring slightly. Turn it clockwise with the spanner tool included in the repair kit. If the faucet drips from the terminate of the spout, replace the seats and springs.

Step 3

Remove the Cap

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

Step four

Remove the Rotary Brawl

  • Lift off the plastic cam and packing.
  • Lift out the ball and audit it.
  • Replace the ball if it'southward scratched, croaky or visibly worn.

Pace five

Remove and Supplant the Seats and Springs

  • Lift out the 2 rubber seats and springs with a screwdriver.
  • Drib the new springs in the recesses and press the new rubber seats over the top with your fingertip.
  • Marshal the groove in the ball with the pin in the socket and driblet the ball in.
  • Align the lug on the plastic cam with the notch in the valve trunk and set up it over the ball.
  • Thread on the cap with the adjusting ring and tighten it with the slip-joint pliers.
  • Turn on the h2o to check for leaks.
    • Pro tip: If water leaks from around the ball stalk, use the spanner tool to tighten the adjusting band until the leak stops.
  • Supersede the leaking faucet handle and you're done.

Follow These Basics for All Faucet Repairs

Before you lot showtime, examine the dripping faucet closely to decide where the h2o is coming from. Leaks around the base of the spout require a different repair than a baste from the end of the spout.

And so turn off the water supply to the dripping faucet. Y'all'll probably find shutoff valves under the sink. If those valves don't work or if you don't have any, yous'll have to close the chief water valve to your unabridged home. Subsequently you plough off the water, open the faucet in the center position to relieve water pressure level and make sure the h2o is shut off. Finally, encompass the sink drain holes with strainer baskets or rags to avoid losing small parts downwardly the drain.

Pay close attending to the order and orientation of parts equally you remove them. A digital camera or video camera is handy for recording each stride in instance you forget. For easier reassembly, set the parts aside in the order they were removed. When all the parts are out, audit the interior of the valve for bits of deteriorated gaskets or mineral deposits. Use a cloth or fine nylon abrasive pad to clean the surface. Loosen mineral deposits by soaking them in vinegar.

Slow water flow tin can be caused by plugged holes in the faucet torso. Employ a small screwdriver or penknife to clean them out. Before you supersede 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.

After the faucet is reassembled, open the faucet to the middle position and gradually open the shutoff valves to turn on the water. Leave the faucet open until h2o flows freely and all the air is out of the pipes. If the water menstruation through the faucet is slow, the aerator may be plugged. Unscrew the aerator and clean it out.

Have the Former Parts to the Store to Find Replacements

You'll often discover the brand name stamped on the faucet. And this data will help when it comes time to notice repair parts. But in most cases, the safest bet is to accept the worn parts to the store with you.

If you lot have a Delta or other rotary ball faucet, you lot're in luck because you lot'll find repair kits in almost hardware stores and home centers. Cartridges and repair kits for Moen "cartridge type" faucets are also readily available. But if you have another brand or a disc-type faucet, yous may have to guild parts, since at that place are also many variations for most stores to continue in stock. Information technology helps to know the faucet's model name or number when searching for a replacement cartridge. Otherwise, take the cartridge with y'all to the store so yous can match it to a photograph in the parts catalog.

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

Cartridge-Style Faucet Anatomy

  • Cartridge-style faucet parts and assembly.

Stride 6

Remove the Allen Screw

  • Gently pry off the handle cap with a knife.
  • Turn the Allen screw counterclockwise to remove information technology and lift off the handle.

Step 7

Remove the Metal Handle Adapter

  • Unscrew the dome associates under the handle.
  • Unscrew the metal handle adapter and elevator it off.
  • Lift off the plastic pivot stop.

Step 8

Take Out the Retainer Nut

  • Remove the retainer nut by turning information technology counterclockwise with large slip-joint pliers.

Step 9

Remove the Servant Prune

  • Pry out the contumely retainer clip with the tip of a screwdriver.
  • Grab the prune with pliers and pull information technology the remainder of the fashion out to avoid losing it.

Step x

Twist Loose the Cartridge

  • Loosen the cartridge by slipping the plastic spanner cap (included with the new cartridge) over the cartridge and twisting it dorsum and along.

Stride eleven

Replace Worn Parts and Reassemble the Faucet

  • Catch the cartridge stem with pliers and pull it straight upward and out.
  • Replace worn parts.

Step 12

Reassemble the Faucet

  • Reassemble the faucet in the reverse order.
  • Pull the stem upward before inserting the cartridge.
    • Note: You may take to twist the cartridge slightly to line it upwardly for the brass retainer prune.
  • Employ the plastic spanner cap or the tips of needle-nose pliers to rotate the cartridge.
  • Slide the brass clip into the slots in the valve trunk to hold the cartridge in identify.
  • Expect for the pocket-sized notch on top of the stem and rotate the stem until the notch faces y'all.
  • Install the remaining parts and reattach the handle.
    • Note: The directions that come with the stalk volition help orient you here.
  • Examination the faucet.
    • Note: If the hot and cold water are reversed, simply remove the handle, dome associates and handle adapter and rotate the stem 180 degrees.

All Most Cartridge-Style Faucet Repairs

Many faucet brands use a cartridge of some type. Here we show how to replace a Moen cartridge, but the process is like for other brands. To end drips at the spout or correct bug 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 detect a replacement.

Replacement cartridges for Moen faucets include a plastic spanner cap that allows yous to twist and loosen the cartridge to make it easier to pull out. Don't exist surprised if the cartridge seems stuck. Information technology may take considerable strength to pull it out. Actually stubborn cartridges may require the apply of a special cartridge-pulling tool.

Ceramic Disc Faucet Anatomy

  • Parts and assembly of ceramic disc faucets.

Stride 13

Unscrew the Handle

  • Pry off the decorative spiral cover with your fingernail or the tip of a knife.
  • Unscrew the handle screw past turning information technology counterclockwise with an Allen wrench.
  • Lift off the handle.
  • Unscrew or unclip the cap.

Step xiv

Remove the Disc Cartridge

  • Remove the screws that hold the disc cartridge to the faucet torso and lift out the cartridge.

Pace 15

Supercede the Seals in the Cartridge

  • Inspect the cartridge for mineral buildup and carefully clean it out.
  • So replace the rubber seals on the underside.

Step 16

Replace the O-Band Seals

  • Lift out the plastic disc (on some faucets) and replace the O-rings under it.
  • Inspect the holes in the faucet trunk and clean them out if they're clogged.

Ceramic Disc Faucets 101

Ceramic disc valves are simply another blazon of cartridge. Discs inside the cartridge control the water menses. This blazon of valve is sturdy and reliable and rarely needs fixing. In fact, many manufacturers offer a lifetime guarantee on the cartridge. If yours is damaged, cheque with the manufacturer to encounter if it'southward covered by a warranty.

Leaks can effect from faulty condom seals or a cracked disc within the cartridge. Since it's difficult to spot a cracked disc, and disc cartridge replacements are very expensive, information technology's best to start by replacing the seals and reassembling the faucet. Then if the faucet still leaks, remove the disc cartridge and take it to the store to order a replacement.

Early on versions of ceramic disc faucets may be more fragile and tin can crack if subjected to a blast of pressurized air. That's why information technology's of import to leave the faucet open as you lot turn the h2o back on. This allows air trapped in the lines to escape. When the water runs smoothly, it's prophylactic to plow the faucet off. Manufacturers have improved the strength of ceramic discs on newer faucets to withstand air blasts, equally well as abrasive debris that may get dislodged from the within of pipes.

Footstep 17

Repair a Spout Leak

  • Remove the handle and cartridge.
  • Twist and pull up on the spout to remove information technology and expose the O-ring seals.
    • Pro tip: The diverter valve controls h2o to the sprayer. Their appearance varies considerably among brands, but you lot'll normally observe them nether the spout. If your sprayer isn't working properly, first clean information technology in vinegar or simply replace information technology. If this doesn't work, the diverter valve may be clogged. If it doesn't just pull out, contact the manufacturer or ask a knowledgeable salesperson for help with cleaning information technology.

Step eighteen

Supervene upon the O-Rings

  • Skid the tip of a screwdriver nether the O-rings to slide them out of the groove.
  • Install the new O-rings and lubricate them with plumber'southward grease.
  • Reinstall the spout.

Leaky Spout Basics

Leaks around the base of operations of the spout are caused by worn O-rings located under the spout. All that'southward ordinarily required to access these O-rings for replacement is to wiggle and pull up on the spout to remove it.

Depending on the dripping faucet, y'all'll too have to remove the handle and other parts to admission the spout. Be persistent. The spout may be a fiddling stubborn. Spout O-ring kits are available for many faucets, or you lot can take the erstwhile O-rings to the hardware store or plumbing supply store and match them upward with new ones. Remember to selection up a small toothpaste-type tube of plumber'southward grease while yous're there.

Additional Information

  • Figure A: Ball faucet parts
  • Figure B: Cartridge faucet parts
  • Figure C: Ceramic faucet parts

Originally Published: November xxx, 2020