How to Stop a Kitchen Faucet From Leaking
If your kitchen faucet is leaking, you probably need to replace the seal. The seals are located within the handles of the faucets. A broken seal will allow water to continue to flow through the fixture, causing the faucet to leak. Fortunately, replacing the seal is neither expensive nor difficult. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
-
How to Stop a Kitchen Faucet From Leaking
-
1
Determine whether the water leaking out of the faucet is hot or cold. If it is hot, remove the hot water handle. If it is cold, remove the cold water handle. If the water temperature is moderate, you may need to remove both handles.
-
2
Locate the water supply valve under the sink and turn it off. If there is not valve, turn off the water from the home's main water supply. Turn the handles on the faucet to release any residual water in the fixture. Turn the handles back to the off position.
-
-
3
Take off the cap of the handle of the fixture you believe may have the broken seal. The cap will either pop off or screw off, depending on the manufacturer.
-
4
Use a screwdriver to remove the screw inside the handle.
-
5
Remove the handle. This exposes the stem, a part of the seal. Use a wrench to remove the stem. A rubber washer and O-ring are attached to the stem. All of the parts together make up the seal of the faucet. They may appear worn or split. If so, this is the seal that you need to replace.
-
6
Gather all the parts of the seal and take them to a home improvement store. Purchase the same size parts to install into the faucet. If the stem is not cracked or otherwise broken, you may need to purchase only the washer and O-ring.
-
7
Assemble the new seal, fitting the washer onto the stem first, then the O-ring. Fit the stem of the seal into the fixture and tighten it with the wrench. Replace the handle back onto the stem and secure the cap onto the handle.
-
8
Turn the water back on and turn on the faucet. Check for leaks around the repaired handle. Turn off the faucet and make sure the fixture is not leaking.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Expect the repaired faucet to sputter when you first turn it on. This is air pressure being released.
