Troubleshooting Kitchen Faucets

Locate the Source of Leaking or Spraying

Dry off the kitchen faucet and the area right around it. Turn on the water slowly and watch for leaks. Any water that does not emerge from the spout is a leak. Turn up the water on high and see if the leak turns into a spray. Once you are confident that you know the extent of the trouble with the faucet and have also localized the problem, turn off the water.

Shut Off the Water Source

Find the water shutoff valves underneath your kitchen sink and close them. Turn on the faucet to let the water in the line run out.

Replace O-Rings for Base Leaks

If you identify the kitchen faucet's base as having the leak, the odds are good that a new O-ring can fix the problem. Either dissemble your kitchen faucet and take the old O-ring to the hardware store, or---if you know the manufacturer name and model number of your faucet---note it down and seek to identify the O-rings at the store in this manner. Since the old O-ring might have deteriorated, it is advisable to purchase a replacement piece with the manufacturer information.

Remove Attachments and Eliminate Mineral Buildup

Unscrew any sprayer attachments or diverters that may be attached to the spout. If your water pressure suddenly seems off, there is a chance that mineral buildup has clogged the sprayer assembly. Soak the item in vinegar or CLR to break down the minerals, and then screw the attachment back on. Your water pressure should be fixed now. This step should also remove any sideways sprays or missing sprays you notice with the attachment.

Replace Valve Kit in Pull-Out Handle

Troubleshooting kitchen faucets with pull-out handles is a bit more complicated. If cleaning the nozzle attachment does not restore a regular flow or end unwanted spray, check the screen washer. It is situated at the bottom of the pull-out handle assemble and may have trapped some mineral deposits from the water pipes. Soaking it in vinegar may fix your problem quickly.

Resources

• Troubleshoot your faucet at Delta Faucet.
• Price Pfister offers solid do-it-yourself kitchen faucets troubleshooting advice.