How to Fix a Dripping Kitchen Faucet

A kitchen faucet that drips is the most common household plumbing problem. Dripping usually occurs when the O-ring inside the faucet's aerator has worn out or broken. Left unchecked, a dripping kitchen faucet can have a significant impact on the water bill and can eventually carve a channel into the metal faucet seat. Thankfully, a dripping kitchen faucet can easily and inexpensively be repaired with common household tools and a new O-ring.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Pliers
• Masking tape
• Flathead screwdriver
• Small brush
• Vinegar
• O-ring

1. Remove the aerator from the faucet's spout. The aerator is the last portion of the spout that the water flows through before it exits the faucet. Wrap both jaws of a pair of pliers with masking tape to avoid scratching the aerator when it is removed. Grasp the aerator with the pliers and twist the aerator in a counterclockwise direction to remove it from the faucet's spout.

2. Remove the O-ring from the aerator. The O-ring is a rubber ring located on the spout side of the aerator. Use a flathead screwdriver to pry the O-ring free from the aerator.

3. Clean any mineral buildup present on the small holes on the aerator. Use a small brush, such as a toothbrush, dipped in vinegar to brush the mineral deposits away gently.

4. Insert a new O-ring into the aerator by pressing it into place.

5. Attach the aerator the faucet's spout. Turn the aerator in a clockwise direction until it is finger-tight, then use the pliers with tape wrapped around the jaws to tighten the aerator onto the spout, thereby completing the repair.