How to Fix the Rubber Seal on a Kitchen Faucet
A kitchen faucet has a seal to prevent leaks around the base. This seal will wear down and eventually need to be replaced because the spout wears against the rubber, causing cracking and splitting. If your faucet has a small, slow leak from the base, replacing the seal is just part of the repair. Normally, after you replace the cartridge, you replace the seal as well for an effective leak-prevention solution. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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1
Close the water valves in the sink cabinet to stop water from flowing into the faucet. This is important, because you will be removing the cartridge valve, and the faucet will gush water once this part comes out, if the water is still on.
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2
Take off the handle by unscrewing the small, round set screw in the back of the handle with an Allen wrench and pulling the handle up and away from the sink.
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3
Remove the retaining nut or dome cap, whichever part your faucet has, by unscrewing it with a pair of pliers or a wrench. Use whichever tool works more effectively. Turn the dome cap or nut counterclockwise to unscrew it. Slide the cartridge, or the ball valve and ball valve seal, out of the faucet's body cavity. Some faucets have a ball valve; others have a cartridge.
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4
Lift off the O ring seal and pull the spout off the sink top by gently sliding it up off the faucet's shaft. Remove the additional seals and O rings beneath the spout and replace each one with seals made for your particular brand and model of faucet. Replace the spout.
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5
Set a new O ring on the spout, replace the cartridge or ball valve and seals and tighten the retaining nut or the dome cap. Install and tighten the handle.
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