My Spray Nozzle Is Leaking on the Sink

Troubleshooting kitchen spray nozzles

A spray nozzle is a useful tool in a kitchen. It allows you to spray dish soap off dishes, rinse larger pieces with ease and is helpful when filling large pots with water. A spray nozzle is an uncomplicated piece of plumbing. It consists of a water supply hose attached to a spray head. A small valve sits inside the spray head to allow the use of the spray feature.

Things You'll Need

• Small bowl
• White vinegar
• Wrench
• Flashlight
• Replacement hose
• Plumbing tape

Instructions

Cleaning the Nozzle

1. Turn the water supply located under the sink to the off position.

2. Remove the spray head by holding the hose and turning the head counterclockwise.

3. Place the spray nozzle in a small bowl. Add enough white vinegar to cover the nozzle. Allow the nozzle to soak for one to two hours.

4. Remove the nozzle from the vinegar and rinse. Vinegar will dissolve hard-water deposits and lime-scale buildup on the perforated disk and washers.

5. Place the spray nozzle back onto the hose and turn to tighten.

Sprayer Head Connections

1. Tighten the slide nut on the sprayer head with a small wrench, if water leaks from around the head.

2. Check the hose connection to the plumbing supply under the sink. Use a flashlight and look for small drips or a stream of water running down the back of the base cabinet.

3. Tighten the hex nut to stop the leak.

Check the Hose

1. Inspect the hose for holes and cracks. If you locate damage to the hose, replace it.

2. Turn the water supply off under the sink. Squeeze the spray nozzle to drain excess water from the hose.

3. Locate the hex nut holding the spray nozzle hose to the water supply. Loosen the hex nut and remove the hose. Place the new hose onto the water supply and tighten the hex nut.

4. Remove the spray head from the hose at the coupling. Loosen the coupling and remove the old hose. Place the new hose into the coupling and tighten.

Tighten Connections

1. Turn the water supply off.

2. Loosen the hex nut under the sink to remove the hose from the plumbing pipe.

3. Wrap plumbing tape around the pipe three to four times.

4. Place the sprayer hose back onto the pipe and tighten the hex nut.

Tips & Warnings

• Stop water leaks as soon as possible to avoid more costly repairs.

References

• "New Fix-It-Yourself Manual: How to Repair, Clean, and Maintain Anything and Everything In and Around Your Home"; Reader's Digest Editors; 1996
• "Plumbing"; Time Life Editors; 1979