Is your kitchen faucet dripping or is there water on the floor constantly? Well, if there is, then there is a high possibility that your faucet is leaking.

Do you know how a leaking faucet is irritating? This is a guide that will direct you on how to fix a leaking faucet yourself. If you read through this guide, you will know how to detect a leak, differentiate faucets, and fix a leak.

Which are the possible places of a leak in a kitchen faucet?

According to sinkengineering.com, there are three main possible areas in your faucet where leaking can originate from? If you didn’t know, then they consist of the following:

Spout

Have you heard a dripping spout? It isn’t enjoyable. The good thing, though, is that you can easily detect, and it does happen gradually over time. How do you know that your faucet spout is faulty? It is when you find that you have to tighten more than usual to stop water from dripping. You will know that the leaking is worse when it is fully tight, but the water is still dripping.

Base

Is your faucet base always wet? If it is, then it is probably leaking at the base. Can you try drying the area around the base and then cover it with tissue paper. If you notice that the tissue gets soaked, then it is obvious that your faucet is leaking. Did you know that a kitchen faucet leaking from the base is the hardest to detect? It sure is.

Under the sink

Have you found wetness on the floor below the faucet? If yes, then possibly that water is leaking from either the faucet, the supply connection, or the sink drain. If you want to detect the leak’s source, then do this; place a dry towel underneath. If the faucet is leaking, the towel’s wetness will be directly from the faucet connection.

What are the different kinds of faucets?

Have you noticed that faucets vary in their external make? Well, there are four different kinds. Not only do their external design vary, but also their internal make. So, if you want to repair a faucet, it is important to know its design.

Compression faucet

You probably have seen a faucet with double handles. That’s a compression faucet. Read the procedure below, and you will how to fix a leaky faucet with two handles.

Cartridge faucet

For this kind of faucet, there is a cartridge under the handle when you disconnect the stem.

Ceramic disk faucet

If you disconnect the stem in this faucet, you will see a cartridge as well as a ceramic disk.

Ball-type faucet

When you disconnect the stem, you will notice a ball joint. This ball joint is used to control the flow of water.

What causes kitchen faucet leaks?

You may be wondering what causes leaks in your faucet. You will see below that several things make the faucets leak. These things are:

• When the ring is loose or worn out, your faucet will leak at the handle.
• If your spout is leaking, it means there is corrosion in the valve.
• When there is friction on the washers, they tend to wear out.
• If you install your faucet wrongly, then it will leak.

What tools and materials do I require?

You will need the following:

• 4-in one screwdriver
• Pliers
• Wrench
• Pliers
• Faucet repair kit
• O-rings seals.

How do I fix different kinds of kitchen faucets?

Compression faucet

1. First, remove the decorative cap

You will use a knife to pry off the decorative cover. Once you do this, you will see screws securing the handle. You will easily notice these covers; they are indicated hot and cold.

Now, loosen those screws using a screwdriver and then remove the handles.

2. Unscrew the nuts

You then proceed to loosen the packing nut using a wrench, then disconnect the stem from the body.

3. Disconnect the stem

Once you remove the main stem you will see the rubber washer, screws, and old O-ring. Now, check for any leaks around these areas.

4. Replace the leaking part

You can now grease your new set and then proceed to replace them. You are replacing the washers, the screws, the O-ring, and the valve seat.

5. Reassembly

Finally, you reassemble the entire faucet and be careful not to overtighten the connections.

Cartridge faucet

1. Remove the decorative cap

You first pry off the decorative cap using a knife. You will expose the crews securing the handle.

2. Remove the handle

You unscrew screws holding the handle using a screwdriver. Now, tilt it back and remove it.

3. Remove the retaining nut and the retaining clip.

You then proceed to loosen the retaining nut using a wrench and then remove it. You then remove the retaining clip which is u- shape clip that holds the cartridge. You will use a flathead screwdriver to remove it.

4. Remove and replace the cartridge

You can then pull out the cartridge using pliers. It can be hard, so twist it to make it easier to come out. Now, take your new cartridge and place it where you removed the old one.

5. Reassemble the faucet

Once you are done with the replacement, assemble back the faucet.

Ceramic disk faucet

1. Remove the protective cap

You need to locate the cap and then pop it out.

2. Remove the handle

You then unscrew nuts holding the handle using a screwdriver. You should be able to lift the handle off once it is loose.

3. Remove the escutcheon

Once you have lifted the handle, you will see a decorative escutcheon. You can unscrew it or lift it by hand.

4. Unscrew the retaining nuts

You then loosen the retaining nuts using a wrench.

5. Clean and replace cylinder openings.

Check for the damages. If the cylinder is worn out, replace it with a new one.

6. Reassemble the entire faucet.

You are finally done.

Ball-type faucet

1. Remove the decorative cap

You first need to pry off the protective covering that you should easily notice using a flat head screwdriver.

2. Remove the handle

Then unscrew the retaining nut holding the handle using a wrench. Once you have unscrewed, remove the handle.

3. Detach the collar and cap

You then loosen the collar and cap using a wrench which you should easily notice once the handle is out.

4. Remove the cam

Now remove the cam. A cam is disc-shaped and has a D in the middle. You will easily remove it since it is made of plastic.

5. Lift out the ball assembly

Once you have removed the cam, it will allow you to remove the entire ball assembly easily.

6. Remove the seals and springs

You will need to use needle pliers to extract the two.

7. Replace the seals and springs

Take your new seals and springs and replace the old ones.

8. Replace the ball assembly and the cam

Replace the old materials using the new ones.

9. Reassemble the faucet

Ensure that you put everything back in order.

Conclusion

If you follow the above procedure, you will replace a kitchen faucet leaking from a spout without a problem. You can as well replace a faucet leaking at the base or even the handle.