If your kitchen tap is dripping, the leak is usually caused by a worn-out internal part like a washer, seal, or cartridge. Fixing running kitchen sink issues often involves simple DIY plumbing repair sink tasks that most homeowners can handle.
Why Do Kitchen Taps Leak?
Taps leak for several common reasons. These leaks are rarely random. They usually stem from parts inside the tap that wear out over time due to constant friction and water pressure. Knowing the type of tap you have helps pinpoint the problem quickly.
Types of Kitchen Taps and Their Common Faults
Different taps use different mechanisms to control water flow. This means the part that needs repairing dripping faucet attention will differ.
| Tap Type | Mechanism | Most Common Leak Point |
|---|---|---|
| Compression Taps (Two Handles) | Screw down mechanism | Replacing worn tap washer |
| Ceramic Disc Taps (Single Lever) | Two ceramic discs slide against each other | Internal cartridge failure |
| Ball Taps (Single Lever, older) | A slotted metal or plastic ball controls flow | Seals or springs within the ball assembly |
| Cartridge Taps (Single Lever, modern) | A single cartridge controls hot and cold mixing | Worn seals or the cartridge itself needing cartridge replacement kitchen tap |
If your tap is just making noise instead of leaking, you might be fixing noisy kitchen tap issues, which often points to loose components or vibrations in the water lines.
Essential Tools for Tap Repair
Before you start stopping kitchen tap from dripping, gather your tools. Having everything ready saves time and frustration.
You will likely need:
- Screwdrivers (Flathead and Phillips)
- Adjustable wrench or basin wrench
- Pliers (slip-joint or locking)
- A utility knife or small flat tool for prying caps
- Replacement parts (washers, O-rings, or a new cartridge)
- Cloth or old towels
- Penetrating oil (if parts are seized)
Step 1: Shut Off The Water Supply
This is the most crucial step in how to stop a leaking faucet. Never work on plumbing without turning off the water first.
Locating and Closing the Isolation Valves
- Look under the kitchen sink cabinet. You should see two small valves connected to the hot and cold water pipes leading up to the tap. These are the isolation valves.
- Turn both valves clockwise until they stop. Turn them firmly, but do not force them hard, as this can damage the valve.
- Turn the kitchen tap on (both hot and cold sides) to drain any remaining water pressure in the lines. Let the water run until it stops completely. This confirms the water is off.
If you cannot find isolation valves under the sink, you will need to shut off the main water supply to your entire house. This is usually located near your water meter or where the supply enters the home.
Step 2: Dismantling the Kitchen Tap
The process for taking apart the tap depends on its style. We will cover the two most common types: standard two-handle compression taps and modern single-lever mixer taps.
Fixing Leaks in Compression Taps (Two Handles)
Compression taps usually leak because the washer at the base of the spindle wears out.
Removing the Handle
- Find the Cap: Look for a decorative cap (often marked ‘H’ for hot and ‘C’ for cold) on top of the handle. Pry this cap off gently using a utility knife or a small flat screwdriver.
- Unscrew the Handle: Beneath the cap, you will see a retaining screw. Use the correct screwdriver to remove this screw. Keep it safe!
- Remove the Handle: Pull the handle straight up off the spindle. If it is stuck, a gentle wiggle often helps.
Accessing the Valve Stem
- Remove the Cover/Escutcheon: There might be a decorative cover surrounding the valve stem. Unscrew this by hand or with an adjustable wrench if needed.
- Remove the Gland Nut: You will see a large hexagonal nut holding the valve stem (spindle) in place. This is the gland nut. Use an adjustable wrench to carefully unscrew this nut counter-clockwise.
- Pull Out the Spindle: Once the gland nut is off, you can pull the entire valve stem assembly out of the tap body.
Fixing Leaks in Single-Lever Mixer Taps
Single-lever taps rely on a cartridge to mix water. Leaks here require a cartridge replacement kitchen tap or seal replacement.
Removing the Handle
- Locate the Set Screw: On most modern single-lever taps, the handle is held on by a small set screw. This screw is often hidden under a small plastic or metal cover, usually located at the back or bottom of the lever base.
- Loosen the Screw: Use an Allen key (hex wrench) or a small screwdriver to loosen this screw. You usually do not need to remove it entirely, just loosen it enough so the handle can slide off.
- Remove the Handle: Lift the handle straight off the body.
Accessing and Replacing the Cartridge
- Remove the Dome/Cover: There will be a decorative dome or cap covering the cartridge housing. Unscrew this, usually by hand or gently with pliers protected by a cloth.
- Remove the Fixing Nut: A large brass or plastic retaining nut holds the cartridge in place. Use an adjustable wrench to unscrew this nut fully.
- Remove the Cartridge: Carefully lift the old cartridge out. Note its orientation. Cartridges only fit one way.
Step 3: Repairing or Replacing the Faulty Part
This is where you execute the actual DIY plumbing repair sink fix based on what you found in Step 2.
For Compression Taps: Replacing Worn Tap Washer
If water drips from the spout even when the tap is off, the washer at the bottom of the spindle is the likely culprit. This is the key to repairing dripping faucet in older styles.
- Examine the Old Washer: Look at the base of the removed valve stem. You will see a small rubber washer held in place, often by a brass screw.
- Remove the Washer: Unscrew the small screw holding the washer. Remove the old, flattened, or cracked washer.
- Install the New Washer: Take the old washer to the hardware store to find an exact match. Replacing worn tap washer is straightforward: fit the new washer onto the spindle base and secure it with the brass screw. Make sure the screw is tight but do not overtighten, or you might damage the new washer.
For Compression Taps: Addressing the Valve Seat
Sometimes, even a new washer won’t stop the drip. The metal surface inside the tap body that the washer presses against—the valve seat—might be rough or corroded.
- Inspect the Seat: Look down into the tap body where the spindle sits. If the metal looks pitted, you need to clean or re-face it.
- Cleaning the Seat: You can try gently cleaning the seat with fine emery cloth wrapped around a dowel.
- Re-facing (Advanced): If cleaning doesn’t work, specialized valve seat cutters can grind the surface smooth. This is a slightly more advanced DIY plumbing repair sink technique.
For Compression Taps: Checking the Gland Packing (Stem Leak)
If water leaks around the base of the handle when the tap is running, the packing or O-rings around the stem are failing.
- You may need to remove the old packing string or O-ring from the spindle housing.
- If it uses packing string, wind new graphite string tightly around the spindle threads before reassembling.
- If it uses O-rings, replacing kitchen faucet O-rings with lubricated new ones should solve the leak around the handle.
For Mixer Taps: Replacing the Cartridge
If you have a single-lever mixer tap, the entire cartridge usually needs replacing to fix the leak, especially if water mixes poorly or leaks from the spout.
- Match the Cartridge: Take the old cartridge with you to ensure you buy the exact replacement. They are often brand-specific.
- Positioning: Align the locating pins on the bottom of the new cartridge with the holes in the tap body. This is critical for proper function.
- Secure and Test: Push the new cartridge firmly into place. Secure it with the retaining nut, ensuring it is snug. This should fix your issue stopping kitchen tap from dripping from the spout.
Step 4: Reassembly and Testing
Once you have replaced the worn parts, put the tap back together in reverse order of disassembly.
- Reinstall Components: Place the spindle or cartridge back in. Secure the gland nut or retaining nut firmly.
- Attach Handles: Reattach the handles, screws, and decorative caps. If you were tightening loose kitchen tap handle, ensure the handle is now firmly attached.
- Turn Water On Slowly: Go back under the sink. Slowly turn the hot and cold isolation valves back on (counter-clockwise). Listen for any immediate leaks.
- Test Function: Operate the tap fully. Check for drips from the spout when closed. Also, check for leaks around the handle bases.
If you notice new noises during testing, you may need to review the steps for fixing noisy kitchen tap, often meaning tightening connections further or ensuring no air pockets remain.
Specific Troubleshooting: Tightening Loose Kitchen Tap Handle
A loose handle is an annoying but easy fix. It usually means the securing screw has vibrated loose over time.
Fixing Two-Handle Taps
- Pry off the decorative cap on top of the handle.
- Use a screwdriver to tighten the central screw that holds the handle onto the spindle firmly.
- Replace the cap.
Fixing Single-Lever Mixer Taps
- Find the small set screw, usually hidden underneath or at the back of the lever base.
- Use the appropriate Allen key or small screwdriver to turn the screw clockwise until the handle is secure and does not wobble. This completes the task of tightening loose kitchen tap handle.
Maintaining Your Taps to Prevent Future Leaks
Regular, simple maintenance can drastically extend the life of your tap components and prevent future repairing dripping faucet emergencies.
Simple Maintenance Tips
- Gentle Operation: Avoid slamming the handles shut. Gentle closing reduces stress on washers and cartridges.
- Handle Check: Periodically check the handle tightness, especially after heavy use.
- Cleaning: Clean the aerator (the screen at the tip of the spout) every few months. Mineral buildup can cause splashing and uneven flow, sometimes mimicking a small leak.
If you have hard water, mineral deposits (scale) can build up inside the tap mechanism, causing stiffness and accelerating wear on seals. Descaling treatments or vinegar soaks might help if the tap feels stiff, which is often related to fixing noisy kitchen tap issues stemming from restricted flow.
Advanced Repair: Replacing Kitchen Faucet O-Rings
O-rings are small rubber rings that seal moving parts, like the spout base on a swivel tap, or the cartridge housing. If water pools around the base of your faucet where it meets the counter, replacing kitchen faucet O-rings is necessary.
- Isolate Water: Shut off water supply completely.
- Remove Spout (if swivel type): On many mixer taps, the entire spout lifts off after removing the handle and cartridge. Look for a locking ring or screw underneath the faucet base that secures the spout body.
- Locate O-Rings: Once the spout is detached, you will see one or two O-rings fitted around the central water pipe or base housing.
- Replacement: Carefully roll the old O-rings off. Lightly coat the new replacing kitchen faucet O-rings with silicone plumber’s grease (do not use petroleum jelly). This keeps them supple and helps them seal better.
- Reassemble: Slide the spout back over the lubricated O-rings and secure the locking mechanism.
This lubrication is vital for smooth operation and preventing premature wear, helping you avoid future issues when stopping kitchen tap from dripping.
Comprehending Cartridge Tap Operation for Better DIY
Modern taps rely heavily on the cartridge. Fathoming its role simplifies repairs. The cartridge is essentially a self-contained valve unit. It has two ceramic discs inside. When you move the lever, these discs align to allow hot, cold, or mixed water through.
If the discs crack or the small rubber seals surrounding them degrade, water leaks through. Since the discs are factory-sealed, the only DIY plumbing repair sink option is usually full replacement. This is why cartridge replacement kitchen tap is such a common fix for modern mixers.
When to Call a Professional Plumber
While many leaks are simple fixes, some situations require expert help:
- Frozen Pipes or Valves: If the isolation valves under the sink won’t turn or are leaking themselves, forcing them can cause serious damage.
- Severely Corroded Parts: If screws or nuts are rusted solid, trying to force them might break the tap body itself.
- Leaks Inside the Wall: If the leak appears to come from behind the wall rather than directly from the tap fittings, this is a major pipe issue requiring professional attention.
- Unidentified Noise: If you are fixing noisy kitchen tap issues and basic tightening does not work, the noise could indicate water hammer or a blockage further down the line.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: My tap drips constantly after I replaced the washer. What now?
A: If replacing worn tap washer didn’t stop the drip, the metal valve seat inside the tap body is likely damaged or corroded. You need to clean it or re-face it. If you cannot re-face it easily, you might need a new cartridge if it is a mixer tap, or a new spindle assembly for a compression tap.
Q: How do I fix a leak around the base of my single-lever tap handle?
A: A leak around the handle usually means the seals or O-rings inside the cartridge assembly have failed, or the retaining nut securing the cartridge is loose. First, try tightening loose kitchen tap handle components gently. If that fails, you must perform a cartridge replacement kitchen tap or check the seals around the cartridge itself.
Q: Is it hard to stop a leaking faucet completely?
A: For most common drips (spout or handle leaks), it is relatively straightforward DIY plumbing repair sink work, especially if you know whether you need a washer replacement or cartridge replacement kitchen tap. The hardest part is correctly identifying the tap type and having the correct replacement part sizes.
Q: My kitchen tap is making a loud banging noise when I turn it off quickly. How do I fix this?
A: This sound is called water hammer. It usually happens because of quick closure stressing the system. Fixing noisy kitchen tap problems often involves ensuring washers are fitted correctly so the tap closes smoothly, or installing water hammer arrestors on your supply lines.
Q: Do I need special tools for replacing kitchen faucet O-rings?
A: Usually, you only need standard tools like screwdrivers and wrenches. For removing the spout when replacing kitchen faucet O-rings, you might need a specific thin tool or small pliers to lift the spout off without scratching the metal finish. Plumber’s silicone grease is essential for lubricating the new O-rings.