How to Set a Leaky Faucet

Gear up a dripping kitchen faucet with replacement parts.

Fourth dimension

An hour or less

Complexity

Beginner

Cost

Less than $20

Introduction

You can fix virtually any drippy single-lever kitchen faucet in nearly an hour. Nosotros'll show you how. The repair is a lot easier than yous might think, even for a plumbing novice.

Tools Required

Materials Required

  • Faucet repair kit
  • O-ring seals

Doing your ain faucet repair may seem daunting, only once y'all acquire the basics, modern faucets are fairly easy to repair. In fact, the hardest step to fix a leaky faucet is usually finding the right replacement parts. In this article, nosotros'll tell y'all how to find replacement parts and show y'all how to cease 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, merely yous tin prepare well-nigh unmarried-lever bathroom faucets using the aforementioned procedures. We'll as well bear witness you how to stop leaks around the base of the spout and set up leaking faucets.

The tools you'll need for this how to gear up 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. Buy a set of small-scale Allen wrenches and you'll exist prepared for all kinds of leaking faucets. Well-nigh repairs also crave screwdrivers and a pair of large slip-joint pliers.

Projection step-by-pace (18)

Step one

Rotary Ball Faucet Anatomy

  • The diagram beneath shows the parts and assembly of a rotary brawl faucet.
    • Note: We recommend that you buy a repair kit that includes the ball, springs, seats and O-rings for the spout, equally well as a small repair tool. With this kit, you lot'll be prepared for near whatever repair.

Step 2

Loosen the Allen Spiral

  • Then turn off the water supply to the dripping faucet.
  • Lift the handle and pry off the decorative cover to expose the Allen screw.
  • Turn the screw counterclockwise until it's loose enough to lift the handle up from the stem.
    • 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. Turn it clockwise with the spanner tool included in the repair kit. If the faucet drips from the stop of the spout, replace the seats and springs.

Footstep 3

Remove the Cap

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

Step 4

Remove the Rotary Brawl

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

Stride 5

Remove and Supplant the Seats and Springs

  • Lift out the 2 rubber seats and springs with a screwdriver.
  • Drop the new springs in the recesses and press the new rubber seats over the acme with your fingertip.
  • Marshal the groove in the ball with the pin in the socket and drop the ball in.
  • Align the lug on the plastic cam with the notch in the valve body and set it over the ball.
  • Thread on the cap with the adjusting ring and tighten it with the slip-joint pliers.
  • Turn on the water to check for leaks.
    • Pro tip: If water leaks from around the ball stem, utilise the spanner tool to tighten the adjusting ring until the leak stops.
  • Replace the leaking faucet handle and yous're washed.

Follow These Basics for All Faucet Repairs

Before you get-go, examine the dripping faucet closely to determine where the water is coming from. Leaks effectually the base of operations of the spout require a dissimilar repair than a drip from the terminate of the spout.

Then turn off the h2o supply to the dripping faucet. You lot'll probably find shutoff valves under the sink. 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 abode. After you turn off the water, open up the faucet in the centre position to relieve water pressure and make sure the h2o is close off. Finally, cover the sink drain holes with strainer baskets or rags to avoid losing pocket-sized parts downwards the drain.

Pay close attention to the order and orientation of parts equally you remove them. A digital camera or video camera is handy for recording each step in case 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. Employ a cloth or fine nylon abrasive pad to make clean the surface. Loosen mineral deposits past soaking them in vinegar.

Tedious water flow tin be acquired by plugged holes in the faucet body. Apply a pocket-sized screwdriver or penknife to clean them out. Before you supercede worn parts and reassemble the faucet, agree a rag over the dripping faucet and open the water shutoff valve slightly to flush out droppings that may have been loosened during the cleaning and inspection.

Afterwards the faucet is reassembled, open up the faucet to the middle position and gradually open the shutoff valves to turn on the water. Go out the faucet open up until h2o flows freely and all the air is out of the pipes. If the h2o flow through the faucet is boring, the aerator may be plugged. Unscrew the aerator and clean it out.

Take the Former Parts to the Shop to Find Replacements

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

If you have a Delta or other rotary ball faucet, you're in luck considering you'll find repair kits in well-nigh 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, you may have to society parts, since there are also many variations for nigh stores to keep 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 you to the store so you can match it to a photo in the parts catalog.

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

Cartridge-Style Faucet Beefcake

  • Cartridge-style faucet parts and assembly.

Step 6

Remove the Allen Spiral

  • Gently pry off the handle cap with a pocketknife.
  • Turn the Allen spiral counterclockwise to remove information technology and elevator off the handle.

Pace seven

Remove the Metallic Handle Adapter

  • Unscrew the dome associates nether the handle.
  • Unscrew the metal handle adapter and lift information technology off.
  • Elevator off the plastic pivot stop.

Step 8

Take Out the Retainer Nut

  • Remove the retainer nut by turning it counterclockwise with big sideslip-joint pliers.

Step 9

Remove the Retainer Clip

  • Pry out the brass servant clip with the tip of a screwdriver.
  • Grab the clip with pliers and pull it the residuum of the style out to avoid losing it.

Stride 10

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 forth.

Footstep 11

Supercede Worn Parts and Reassemble the Faucet

  • Grab the cartridge stalk with pliers and pull it straight upwardly and out.
  • Replace worn parts.

Step 12

Reassemble the Faucet

  • Reassemble the faucet in the reverse order.
  • Pull the stem up before inserting the cartridge.
    • Note: You may accept to twist the cartridge slightly to line information technology up for the contumely retainer clip.
  • Utilise 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 body to hold the cartridge in place.
  • Look for the small-scale notch on acme of the stalk and rotate the stalk until the notch faces you lot.
  • Install the remaining parts and reattach the handle.
    • Note: The directions that come with the stem will help orient y'all here.
  • Test the faucet.
    • Annotation: If the hot and cold h2o are reversed, simply remove the handle, dome associates and handle adapter and rotate the stem 180 degrees.

All About Cartridge-Style Faucet Repairs

Many faucet brands utilize a cartridge of some type. Here nosotros bear witness how to supervene upon a Moen cartridge, but the process is similar for other brands. To stop 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 supervene upon the entire cartridge. Take the cartridge to the habitation heart or hardware store to find a replacement.

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

Ceramic Disc Faucet Anatomy

  • Parts and assembly of ceramic disc faucets.

Step 13

Unscrew the Handle

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

Step fourteen

Remove the Disc Cartridge

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

Stride 15

Replace the Seals in the Cartridge

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

Stride 16

Replace the O-Ring Seals

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

Ceramic Disc Faucets 101

Ceramic disc valves are simply another type of cartridge. Discs inside the cartridge control the water flow. This type 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, check with the manufacturer to come across if information technology'south covered by a warranty.

Leaks can effect from faulty rubber seals or a cracked disc inside the cartridge. Since it's hard to spot a cracked disc, and disc cartridge replacements are very expensive, it'due south best to starting time past replacing the seals and reassembling the faucet. Then if the faucet still leaks, remove the disc cartridge and have it to the store to order a replacement.

Early versions of ceramic disc faucets may exist more delicate and can crack if subjected to a blast of pressurized air. That's why it's of import to exit the faucet open every bit you plow the h2o dorsum on. This allows air trapped in the lines to escape. When the water runs smoothly, information technology's condom to turn the faucet off. Manufacturers take improved the strength of ceramic discs on newer faucets to withstand air blasts, as well as abrasive debris that may get dislodged from the within of pipes.

Pace 17

Repair a Spout Leak

  • Remove the handle and cartridge.
  • Twist and pull up on the spout to remove it and betrayal the O-band seals.
    • Pro tip: The diverter valve controls water to the sprayer. Their appearance varies considerably amongst brands, merely you'll ordinarily discover them nether the spout. If your sprayer isn't working properly, showtime clean it in vinegar or only supplant it. If this doesn't work, the diverter valve may exist chock-full. If it doesn't simply pull out, contact the manufacturer or enquire a knowledgeable salesperson for help with cleaning it.

Step xviii

Supplant the O-Rings

  • Slip 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'south grease.
  • Reinstall the spout.

Leaky Spout Basics

Leaks effectually the base of operations of the spout are caused by worn O-rings located under the spout. All that'southward commonly 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, you'll also take to remove the handle and other parts to access the spout. Be persistent. The spout may be a piddling stubborn. Spout O-ring kits are available for many faucets, or you can have the old O-rings to the hardware store or plumbing supply shop and lucifer them up with new ones. Call up to pick upwards a pocket-sized toothpaste-type tube of plumber'south grease while you lot're there.

Additional Data

  • Effigy A: Brawl faucet parts
  • Figure B: Cartridge faucet parts
  • Figure C: Ceramic faucet parts

Originally Published: November xxx, 2022