How to Fix a Kitchen Sink Sprayer

A kitchen sink sprayer takes a lot of abuse. From overextending the hose to gripping the sprayer too tightly, stress on the sprayer can cause a leak to develop from several sources. While a replacement sprayer and hose assembly costs approximately $15 and is easy to replace, there are steps you can take to fix a kitchen sink sprayer.
The repair can be done without turning off the water to the sink as long as the faucet is not accidentally turned on at the wrong time.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Screwdriver
• Basin wrench
• Replacement washers
• Pipe thread tape

Find the Leak

1. Turn on the water faucet.

2. Extend the sprayer hose and press the trigger on the sprayer.

3. Look for signs of a leak on the sprayer head.

4. Look for signs of leaks at the plastic coupling that joins the sprayer head to the hose.

5. Check under the sink for signs of a leak where the hose is connected to the faucet.

Fix a Leak at the Plastic Coupling

6. Hand tighten the connection at the plastic coupling by grasping the sprayer firmly and turning the coupling clockwise.

7. Turn on the faucet, press the spray trigger and check to see if this fixed the problem. If not, go to Step 3.

8. Remove the sprayer head from the coupling by grasping the sprayer and twisting the plastic coupling counterclockwise and pull down on the hose to free the plastic coupling.

9. Turn on the faucet and check the exposed plastic sleeve on the hose for leaks. If leaking, the sprayer head and hose will have to be replaced. If there is no leak, go to Step 5.

10. Firmly press the exposed washers in the plastic coupling. If you can feel movement, it may have been that they were not properly placed. If there is no movement, go to Step 8.

11. Reseat the plastic coupling over the hose and attach the sprayer head. Turn on the water, press the trigger, and check for a leak. If it's still leaking, go to Step 7.

12. Remove the sprayer head from the plastic coupling.

13. Gently pry the exposed washers at the top of the plastic coupling out with a screwdriver. Replace the old washers with the new, placing the thin washer before the thick one, and press the new washers firmly in place.

14. Screw the sprayer head back onto the plastic coupler. Turn of the water, press the trigger and check for a leak. If it is still leaking, replace the sprayer and hose.

Fixing a Leak under the Sink

15. Tighten the connection at the faucet with a basin wrench.

16. Turn on water tap and check for leak. If this does not stop the leak, continue.

17. Unscrew the hose from the faucet with a basin wrench.

18. Dry the internal and external threads of the hose and faucet.

19. Wrap pipe thread tape around the external threads.

20. Hand screw the hose to the faucet.

21. Tighten the connection with the basin wrench.

22. Turn on the water to test for leaks. If the connection is still leaking, replace the sprayer and hose.

Resources

• Faucets