Kitchen Faucet Repair – How to Repair a Leaking Kitchen Faucet

After years of service, a kitchen faucet will eventually wear out and require repair or replacement. Typically, the first sign that your faucet is in need of repair is the development of mineral deposits, which will build up inside the spigot and around its base, reducing its performance. If left unchecked, these deposits will ultimately lead to leaking.

Once you have spotted these signs, it’s time to perform the necessary repair. Before you start working on your Kitchen faucet repair, make sure that the water supply has been turned off to prevent any leaks or water damage. The shut-off valves for the faucet are usually located beneath your sink, close to the waterlines. Then, carefully disconnect the water line by turning the small valve handles clockwise until they are completely closed.

While the water is still off, you should remove the faucet handle to gain access to the cartridge and faucet body. This may be accomplished by removing the handle itself or by using a screwdriver to loosen the mounting screw and then lifting off the handle. If you’re unable to locate the mounting screw, look for a plastic cap on the top of the handle that conceals a hex-head screw. Then, use a hex-key wrench to remove the screw and pull off the handle.

Next, you should take a closer look at the faucet body and determine what components need to be replaced or repaired. For example, if your faucet is old and has a cracked disc cartridge, then it’s likely that you’ll need to replace the entire cartridge assembly. However, if the cartridge is still in good shape, then it’s possible that you may be able to fix the problem by replacing the rubber seals only.

Similarly, if you’re leaking from the faucet spout, then you may need to replace the O-ring. Lastly, if your faucet is Moen, you should know that the company offers a lifetime guarantee on its products and will replace any worn parts for free. You can even get replacement parts by visiting the company’s website, filling out a simple form and sending them pictures of your faucet.

Once you’ve removed the damaged components, it’s important to keep track of them so that you can reassemble your faucet correctly. Therefore, it’s a good idea to lay the pieces out in the order that they were removed or to take pictures of each step of the process as you go along. This will make the reassembling process much easier and will help ensure that your new replacement parts fit correctly. If you’re having difficulty identifying your faucet, then it’s a good idea to visit a home improvement store or plumbing supply specialist for assistance. These people will be able to help you identify your faucet model and will be able to offer advice on how to best repair or replace it. You can also find information about your specific faucet on the manufacturer’s website, but this is less reliable.