Simple Steps: How To Fix A Leaking Kitchen Faucet

Can I fix a leaking kitchen faucet myself? Yes, most people can fix dripping kitchen faucet issues with some basic tools and simple steps. This guide will show you how to repair leaky sink tap problems safely and effectively.

Getting Started: Safety First for DIY Kitchen Faucet Repair

Before starting any plumbing work, safety is key. You must turn off the water supply. This stops more water from leaking while you work. It also prevents accidental flooding.

Locating and Shutting Off the Water Supply

Every kitchen sink has shut-off valves. Look under the sink basin. You will usually see two small handles connected to pipes. One controls hot water. The other controls cold water.

Turn the hot water handle clockwise until it stops.
Turn the cold water handle clockwise until it stops.

If you cannot find these small valves, you must shut off the main water supply to your house. This valve is often near your water meter or where the main pipe enters your home.

Draining Remaining Water

Even after turning off the valves, some water stays in the lines. Open the faucet fully. Let all the water drain out. This step is crucial before you take anything apart.

Tools You Will Need

Having the right tools makes this job much easier. You do not need a whole professional kit. Simple items will work for most fixes.

Tool	Purpose
Adjustable Wrench	Loosening stubborn nuts and supply lines.
Screwdrivers (Flathead and Phillips)	Removing handle screws and decorative caps.
Pliers (Needle-nose and Groove-joint)	Holding small parts or gripping things tightly.
Utility Knife or Putty Knife	Prying off small caps or scraping old sealant.
Replacement Parts (Washers, O-rings, Cartridge)	The actual parts needed to stop faucet from dripping.
White Vinegar or Lime Remover	Cleaning mineral buildup.
Silicone Grease (Plumber’s Grease)	Lubricating new parts for smooth operation.

Fathoming Faucet Types: Knowing What You Have

Kitchen faucets are not all the same. The steps to repair leaky sink tap depend on the faucet style. There are four main types. You must know yours to proceed with DIY kitchen faucet repair.

Compression Faucets (Two Handles)

These are the oldest type. They have separate handles for hot and cold water. They rely on rubber washers to seal the water flow. If water drips from the spout, the washer is likely bad. If water leaks around the handle base, the packing nut or O-rings need attention.

Ball Faucets (Single Handle)

Ball faucets are common in older kitchens. They use a metal or plastic ball with slots to control water flow and mixing. They have many small parts. This can make them tricky to repair. They often leak from the spout or the base.

Disc Faucets (Single Handle)

These use ceramic discs inside. They are very durable. Water flow is controlled by two ceramic discs sliding against each other. Leaks are rare, but when they happen, it usually means replacing the entire disc cartridge.

Cartridge Faucets (Single or Two Handles)

These use a plastic or brass cartridge that moves up and down or rotates to control flow. They are easy to use. If you have a drip, you often need a cartridge replacement for kitchen faucet. They are usually the simplest to work on for repairing a single-handle faucet.

Step-by-Step Guide: Fixing a Two-Handle Faucet Leak

If you have a two-handle faucet that is dripping, you likely need to replace worn faucet washer.

Step 1: Removing the Faucet Handle

First, locate the screw holding the handle in place.

Pry off the decorative cap: Use a thin flathead screwdriver or a utility knife very gently. Pop off the cap (it often says “H” or “C”).
Unscrew the handle: Use your screwdriver to remove the screw beneath the cap.
Pull off the handle: The handle should lift straight up. If it sticks, try wiggling it gently while pulling. Do not force it too hard.

Step 2: Accessing the Stem Assembly

The stem assembly holds the parts that control the water flow.

You will see a packing nut surrounding the stem. Use your adjustable wrench to turn this nut counter-clockwise. Be careful not to scratch the finish of the faucet body.
Once the packing nut is off, carefully pull the stem straight out of the faucet body.

Step 3: Replacing the Worn Washer

This is the most common cause when you fix dripping kitchen faucet on this type.

Look at the bottom tip of the stem you removed. You will see a small screw holding the rubber washer in place.
Use a screwdriver to remove this screw.
Take off the old, flattened, or cracked rubber washer.
Take the old washer to your hardware store. Match the size exactly when you buy a new one. This is key to a lasting seal.
Install the new washer and screw it back in tightly. This completes the replace worn faucet washer task.

Step 4: Checking O-Rings and Packing Material

Sometimes the leak comes from around the handle base, not the spout. This means the O-rings or packing material inside the stem is bad.

Examine the stem body. You might see one or two small rubber rings (O-rings).
Carefully roll the old rings off.
Apply a thin coat of plumber’s silicone grease to the new O-rings.
Slide the new O-rings onto the stem in the exact spots the old ones were.
If your stem uses packing string or graphite packing instead of O-rings, replace this material too. This helps repair leaky sink tap around the handle.

Step 5: Reassembling the Faucet

Put everything back in reverse order.

Insert the stem assembly back into the faucet body.
Tighten the packing nut firmly, but do not overtighten it.
Reattach the handle and secure it with its screw.
Snap the decorative cap back into place.

Troubleshooting Single-Handle Faucet Leaks (Cartridge Focus)

If you are repairing a single-handle faucet, the process centers around the cartridge. A leak usually means a cartridge replacement for kitchen faucet is needed.

Step 1: Getting to the Cartridge

Single-handle faucets hide the control mechanism well.

Locate the set screw: This is usually hidden under a small decorative cap on the side or back of the handle. Use an Allen wrench (hex key) or a small screwdriver to loosen this screw.
Remove the handle: Lift the handle straight up.
Remove the retaining nut/clip: You might see a large brass or chrome retaining nut holding the cartridge down. Use groove-joint pliers or a wrench to unscrew this. Some models use a small retaining clip instead of a nut. Use needle-nose pliers to carefully pull this clip straight up. Do not lose this clip!

Step 2: Removing and Identifying the Cartridge

Pull the old cartridge straight up. It might take a bit of wiggling. If it is stuck, some faucet brands sell a special tool to help pull it out.

Crucial Tip for Cartridge Replacement: Take the old cartridge with you to the store. Faucet cartridges are brand and model-specific. Getting the wrong one will stop your DIY kitchen faucet repair.

Step 3: Installing the New Cartridge

Inspect the opening in the faucet body. Clean out any mineral deposits or debris using a soft cloth.
Look closely at the new cartridge. Notice the orientation tabs or notches on the plastic or brass casing. These must line up exactly with the slots in the faucet body.
Insert the new cartridge, making sure it seats perfectly.
If your faucet has a small plastic alignment pin or metal clip, insert it now to lock the cartridge position.

Step 4: Reassembly and Testing

Screw the retaining nut back on. If you removed a clip, slide it back into its groove.
Reattach the handle. Tighten the set screw.
Slowly turn the water supply back on under the sink. Test the faucet. If done correctly, this cartridge replacement for kitchen faucet should stop faucet from dripping.

Addressing Leaks Around the Spout Base (Swivel Leaks)

Sometimes water pools around the base where the spout swivels, not from the handles or the tip. This means the spout O-rings are worn out. This is a common issue when you repair leaky sink tap.

Step 1: Removing the Spout

If you have a two-handle faucet, you might need to remove the handles first (as described above).
Look for a small screw at the back or base of the spout, often concealed by a plastic shroud or cap. Loosen this screw.
Grasp the spout firmly. Twist it slightly while pulling upward. It should slide free of the faucet body.

Step 2: Replacing the Spout O-Rings

Once the spout is off, look inside the base where it connects to the main faucet body. You will see one or two rubber O-rings around the brass tube.
Use a small screwdriver or pick to carefully roll the old, stiff O-rings off.
Clean the entire area thoroughly.
Apply a thin layer of plumber’s silicone grease to the new O-rings. This lubrication helps them seal better and makes the spout swivel smoothly.
Slide the new O-rings into place.

Step 3: Reattaching the Spout

Slide the spout back onto the faucet body, ensuring the new O-rings sit correctly in their grooves.
Reinstall the retaining screw.
Reattach handles if necessary.

This fixes leaks associated with the swivel action and helps determine the best way to fix a running faucet if the leak was appearing only when the water was on.

Ball Faucet Repairs: A More Complex Task

Ball faucets require more careful attention during troubleshooting kitchen faucet leaks because they have many small, spring-loaded parts.

Accessing the Ball Assembly

Remove the handle, usually by loosening a set screw (often under a decorative cap).
Unscrew the cap or collar that holds the rotating ball mechanism in place. You may need groove-joint pliers for this.
Lift out the cam, the cam washer, and the rotating ball itself.

Replacing Springs and Seals

Inside the faucet body, you will see small rubber seats and springs resting in cups. These are usually the culprits for drips in a ball faucet.

Use needle-nose pliers to pull out the old springs and the rubber seats resting on top of them.
Replace both the springs and the seats with new ones, ensuring the spring sits at the bottom of the cup and the dome-shaped rubber seat sits on top of it.
Place the rotating ball back in. Ensure the small groove or key on the ball lines up with the slot in the faucet body.
Place the new cam washer over the ball and align the cam’s tab with the slot in the faucet body.
Screw the cap back on firmly.

This process is essentially a full kit replacement. It is often easier to buy a full repair kit for ball faucets than to source individual parts.

Dealing with Leaks from the Faucet Handle Itself

If you have a leaky faucet handle fix needed, this usually means the packing nut is loose or the O-rings beneath the handle base are degraded (as discussed in the two-handle section). However, for single-handle faucets, sometimes the issue is internal to the cartridge itself, even if the spout isn’t dripping.

If the handle leaks while running water, follow the steps for repairing a single-handle faucet. If replacing the cartridge does not fix the leak around the handle base, check the tightness of the retaining nut/collar holding the cartridge in place. A slight turn clockwise can sometimes seal the system again.

Essential Maintenance Tips to Prevent Future Leaks

The best way to fix a running faucet is to prevent it from starting! Good maintenance keeps your faucet running smoothly for years.

Cleaning Away Mineral Deposits

Hard water leaves behind mineral scale (calcium and lime). This scale builds up on washers, O-rings, and cartridges. It stops parts from sealing properly.

If you remove a part and see white crust, soak it in white vinegar for a few hours. Vinegar dissolves the mineral buildup.
Gently scrub the part clean after soaking. Dry everything completely before reassembling.

Lubrication is Key

Whenever you install a new washer, O-ring, or cartridge, you must lubricate it.

Use only plumber’s silicone grease. Do not use petroleum jelly or cooking oil. Petroleum products can cause rubber parts to swell and degrade quickly.
A thin coating on new rubber parts ensures they slide easily and create a watertight seal when compressed. This extends the life of your replace worn faucet washer job.

Tightening Strategy

When reassembling, be firm but gentle. Overtightening is a major cause of premature failure.

Tighten nuts until you feel definite resistance.
Then, give it just a small extra turn (about 1/8th of a turn). This usually achieves a good seal without crushing the rubber components.

Advanced Troubleshooting Kitchen Faucet Leaks

What if you replaced the parts, but the faucet still drips?

Problem 1: Deformed Faucet Seat (For Compression Faucets Only)

The seat is the metal surface inside the faucet body that the washer presses against. If this metal surface gets pitted, scratched, or corroded, even a brand-new washer won’t seal perfectly.

Fix: You need a seat wrench or a seat dresser tool.

Remove the stem assembly.
Use the seat wrench to unscrew the old faucet seat.
Screw in a new seat, or use the dresser tool to carefully grind down the existing seat until it is smooth again.
Reassemble. This specific fix is often the true best way to fix a running faucet if the drip persists after washer replacement.

Problem 2: Wrong Replacement Part Used

This is very common. Manufacturers use slight variations even within the same faucet line. If your cartridge replacement for kitchen faucet was not the exact match, the alignment might be off by a fraction of a millimeter, leading to a continuous drip. Always verify part numbers or take the old part to the store.

Problem 3: High Water Pressure

If your house water pressure is too high (above 80 psi), it forces water past even good seals, making it hard to stop faucet from dripping.

Fix: Install a pressure regulator valve on your main water line. This is a larger job, usually requiring a plumber, but it solves many persistent leak issues throughout the house.

Summary of Common Fixes

This table summarizes where to look based on where the water is escaping during troubleshooting kitchen faucet leaks:

Leak Location	Likely Cause(s)	Recommended Fix	Faucet Type Impacted
Dripping from Spout Tip	Worn washer or damaged cartridge/disc.	Replace worn faucet washer or perform cartridge replacement for kitchen faucet.	All Types
Leaking around Handle Base	Worn O-rings or loose packing nut.	Replace O-rings or tighten packing nut; this is the leaky faucet handle fix.	Compression/Ball
Leaking from Spout Swivel Base	Worn spout O-rings.	Remove spout and replace worn faucet washer style O-rings in the base.	All Types (with swivel spouts)
Handle drips only when turned on	Worn ball assembly or damaged seats/springs.	Full replacement of internal ball components.	Ball Faucets

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How long should a faucet washer last?

A good quality rubber faucet washer can last anywhere from 3 to 10 years. In areas with very hard water or high water pressure, they might fail sooner, perhaps every 2 to 4 years.

What if my single-handle faucet is leaking from the base, not the spout?

This indicates a problem with the O-rings located on the cartridge body or the seals around the set screw area. Focus your efforts on repairing a single-handle faucet by inspecting and lubricating or replacing the seals accessible after removing the handle.

Can I fix a leak without shutting off the main water supply?

For most repairs involving just the spout or handle parts (like replace worn faucet washer), shutting off the local shut-off valves under the sink is enough. You only need to turn off the main water if you cannot find the local valves or if you are replacing supply lines.

What is the most difficult part of DIY kitchen faucet repair?

For many homeowners, the most difficult step is dealing with seized or stuck parts, especially old retaining nuts or corrosion buildup on ball faucet components. Patience and the right penetrating lubricant or tool are essential here.

Does plumber’s tape fix a running faucet?

Plumber’s tape (Teflon tape) is used only on threaded connections, like where the supply lines connect to the faucet body or angle stops. It does not fix leaks from the spout or around moving parts like the stem or cartridge. It is not the answer for how to stop faucet from dripping from the spout.