How Do I Fix A Leaky Kitchen Faucet Guide?

If your kitchen faucet is dripping or running constantly, you can usually fix it yourself. Most leaks happen because of worn-out parts inside the faucet, like washers, O-rings, or the cartridge. Fixing a leaky kitchen tap often involves shutting off the water, taking the faucet apart, replacing the bad part, and putting it all back together. This guide will help you with your DIY kitchen faucet repair.

Preparing for Your Kitchen Faucet Repair Job

Before you grab any tools, you need to get ready. Proper prep work makes the job faster and stops messes. Knowing what kind of faucet you have is key. Kitchen faucets usually come in four types: cartridge, ball, ceramic disc, or compression. Each type uses different internal parts.

Gathering the Best Tools for Faucet Repair

You don’t need a whole hardware store, but having the right gear makes fixing running kitchen faucet issues much easier.

Here is a list of the best tools for faucet repair:

Adjustable Wrench: For loosening nuts and supply lines.
Screwdrivers: Both Phillips and flathead. Look for magnetic tips to hold small screws.
Hex Keys (Allen Wrenches): Often needed for setscrews on handle removal.
Pliers: Needle-nose pliers help grab tiny parts. Groove-joint pliers work for larger jobs.
Utility Knife or Pick: Great for carefully removing old O-rings or seals.
Basin Wrench: Essential if you need to reach the nuts holding the faucet to the sink deck from below.
Towel or Rag: To catch drips and protect the sink finish.
White Vinegar: Useful for cleaning mineral buildup.
Replacement Parts: Washers, O-rings, or a new cartridge specific to your faucet brand and model.

Step 1: Shut Off the Water Supply

This is the most important step to stop kitchen faucet leak events.

Look under the sink. You should see two valves, one for hot water and one for cold water.
Turn both shut-off valves clockwise until they stop.
Turn on the faucet handles in the sink. This drains any water left in the lines. Make sure the water stops flowing completely. If the water keeps coming out, you need to shut off the main water supply to your house.

Step 2: Plug the Drain

Small screws and tiny faucet parts love falling down the drain. Plug the sink drain with a stopper or a rag. This prevents lost parts from ending up deep inside your plumbing.

Deciphering Faucet Types and Leak Sources

Where the leak comes from tells you what part needs fixing.

Leak Location	Common Cause	Repair Focus
Spout (Dripping)	Worn washer, bad cartridge, or damaged valve seat.	Repair dripping kitchen tap by replacing internal seals or the cartridge.
Handle Base (Around the lever)	Worn O-rings or packing nuts are loose.	Leaky faucet handle fix by replacing O-rings or tightening the packing nut.
Under the Sink	Loose supply line connections.	Tighten connections or replace the supply line.

Faucet Cartridge Faucets

These are common in modern kitchens. They use a single handle that moves up/down for flow and left/right for temperature. A plastic or metal cylinder, called the cartridge, controls the water flow.

Ball Faucets

These use a rotating metal or plastic ball with slots to control water. They have many small parts, making them tricky for beginners.

Ceramic Disc Faucets

These are very durable. They use two ceramic discs that slide against each other. Leaks here are less common, but usually require replacing the entire disc assembly.

Compression Faucets

These are the oldest style. They have separate hot and cold handles that you must tighten down. They rely on rubber washers that get compressed against a valve seat to stop water flow.

How to Fix a Leaky Kitchen Faucet: Cartridge Style

If you have a single-handle faucet, it likely uses a cartridge. Replacing kitchen faucet cartridge is a common repair.

Step 3: Remove the Faucet Handle

Find the Set Screw: Look for a small screw that holds the handle onto the faucet body. It is often hidden under a decorative cap or plug (sometimes marked H or C). Pry this cap off gently with a utility knife blade or small flathead screwdriver.
Unscrew: Use an Allen wrench or screwdriver to remove the set screw. Keep this screw safe!
Pull Off the Handle: Lift the handle straight up and off the faucet body. If it sticks, a handle puller tool might be needed, but usually, a gentle wiggle works.

Step 4: Accessing and Removing the Cartridge

Remove the Cap/Dome: There may be a decorative cover or dome nut securing the cartridge. Unscrew this by hand or with channel-lock pliers, using a rag to protect the finish.
Remove the Retaining Clip/Nut: Some cartridges are held in place by a brass retaining nut or a small U-shaped clip. If it’s a clip, use needle-nose pliers to pull it straight up. If it’s a nut, use an adjustable wrench to unscrew it counter-clockwise.
Pull Out the Cartridge: Grip the top stem of the cartridge with pliers and pull it straight up. Wiggle gently if needed. Note the orientation of the cartridge before removing it; it must go back in the exact same way.

Step 5: Inspecting and Replacing Worn Parts

If you are repairing dripping kitchen tap issues on a cartridge faucet, replacing the whole cartridge is often the fastest fix.

If Replacing the Cartridge: Take the old cartridge to the hardware store. You must match the brand and model exactly for a proper seal. Install the new one, making sure any alignment tabs fit into the faucet body slots.
If Only O-Rings are Bad (Less common for spout drips): If the leak is around the base of the spout (not the spout tip), the O-rings are the issue. Use a pick to carefully remove the old O-rings from the faucet body or spout base. Lubricate the new O-rings with plumber’s grease before sliding them into place.

Step 6: Reassembly

Place the cartridge back in its exact orientation.
Reinstall the retaining clip or nut. Tighten the nut firmly, but do not overtighten, as this can crack the plastic or metal parts.
Screw the decorative cap back on.
Reattach the handle and secure the set screw.
Remove the drain plug.

Fixing a Compression Faucet Leak

Compression faucets require more routine maintenance because rubber washers wear out quickly. This is the classic cause for a constant drip.

Step 7: Accessing the Valve Stem

Remove the handle (usually a screw under a decorative cap).
You will see a packing nut below the handle. Use your adjustable wrench to loosen and remove this nut.
The entire valve stem assembly can now be removed by turning it counter-clockwise, like opening the faucet all the way.

Step 8: Faucet Washer Replacement Kitchen Sink

This addresses the main cause of drips in these older styles.

Look at the bottom tip of the stem you just removed. You will see a screw holding a rubber washer in place. This is often the culprit for a repair dripping kitchen tap.
Use a screwdriver to remove the screw and take off the old, flattened, or cracked washer.
Replace it with a new washer of the exact same size. Sometimes, you need to replace the small spring underneath the washer too.
While you are here, inspect the O-rings around the stem body. If they look worn, replace them too. Lubricate them with plumber’s grease. This will also help with any leaky faucet handle fix issues on these models.

Step 9: Inspecting the Valve Seat

The valve seat is where the washer presses down to stop water.

Use a flashlight to look inside the faucet body where the stem came out.
If the brass seat looks rough, pitted, or corroded, it won’t seal properly, even with a new washer.
You may need a valve seat wrench or reamer tool to smooth out the seat or remove it for replacement. This step often requires more specific knowledge, and sometimes it is easier to call a plumber if the seat is heavily damaged.

Step 10: Putting It Back Together

Screw the stem assembly back into the faucet body.
Tighten the packing nut firmly.
Reattach the handle.

Troubleshooting Common Kitchen Faucet Problems

Sometimes, the leak isn’t a simple washer or cartridge issue. Here are some troubleshooting common kitchen faucet problems.

Hissing or Noise When Turning Water Off

This usually means the internal seals or O-rings are drying out or are too tight. Plumber’s grease (silicone-based faucet grease) is essential here. Apply a thin layer to all O-rings and the exterior of the cartridge or stem before reinstallation. This reduces friction and prevents noise.

Water Leaking Around the Base of the Spout

If water pools around the base when the faucet is running, the issue is almost always the spout O-rings, not the internal cartridge.

Remove the handle and cartridge assembly as described above.
Carefully pull the entire spout straight up and off the faucet body. It might be stiff.
You will see one or two O-rings around the base of the faucet body where the spout sat.
Cut off the old rings and slide the new, lubricated rings into their grooves.
Reattach the spout, ensuring it rotates smoothly.

How to Tighten Loose Kitchen Faucet

If your faucet wiggles or rocks on the countertop, it needs tightening from underneath the sink. This is a structural issue, not a leak issue, but it is important for stability.

Get under the sink where the faucet mounts to the counter or sink deck.
Look for large mounting nuts (often one for each handle or a single large nut for a single-hole faucet).
Use a basin wrench, which is designed for this tight space, to turn the mounting nut clockwise.
Tighten it until the faucet feels secure and does not move when you push on the spout. Be careful not to crush the countertop material if it is plastic or thin.

Dealing with Cartridge Valves in Single-Handle Faucets

When replacing kitchen faucet cartridge, sometimes the new part doesn’t stop the leak. This leads us to troubleshooting common kitchen faucet problems related to the valve seat area.

Importance of the Valve Seat and Springs (Especially in Ball Faucets)

While we focused mostly on cartridge and compression faucets, ball faucets and some single-handle models use small rubber seats and springs under the ball or cartridge assembly. If these tiny components wear out, water can bypass the main mechanism.

Inspection: After removing the cartridge or ball assembly, shine a light down into the housing. Look for small rubber cups or springs seated in the openings.
Replacement Kit: Many manufacturers sell inexpensive repair kits that include new springs, rubber seats, and O-rings specifically for this purpose. Using a kit guarantees you replace all the small wear items at once.

Final Checks Before Turning Water Back On

Once you have completed your DIY kitchen faucet repair, it is time to test your work before you get soaked.

Step 11: Slowly Restore Water Flow

Ensure the faucet handles are in the OFF position.
Go back under the sink.
Slowly turn the cold water shut-off valve counter-clockwise to open it. Listen for leaks.
Slowly turn the hot water shut-off valve counter-clockwise.
Check under the sink one last time for any drips around the supply line connections.

Step 12: Testing the Faucet

Turn the faucet handle on slowly. Water may sputter as air escapes the lines.
Let the water run for a minute on both hot and cold settings.
Turn the faucet completely off.
Watch the spout tip closely for several minutes to confirm you have managed to stop kitchen faucet leak activity.
Check the handle base again for any signs of seepage.

If you still see a drip, you might have cross-threaded a part, overtightened something, or you might have the wrong replacement part installed. Take it apart again and re-check the alignment of the cartridge or the condition of the washer.

Maintenance Tips to Prevent Future Leaks

Regular care extends the life of your faucet parts and avoids emergency repairs.

Cleaning Mineral Deposits

Hard water leaves behind scale and lime. This scale can scratch ceramic discs or block the action of O-rings, leading to leaks or stiffness.

Regularly wipe down the faucet aerator (the screen at the tip of the spout) with white vinegar to remove scale.
If the faucet handle becomes stiff, it is often due to mineral buildup around the cartridge stem. Follow the disassembly steps, clean the outside of the cartridge with vinegar and a soft cloth, and then re-grease before reinstalling.

Handling Faucet Handles Properly

Be gentle when operating the handle. Forcing a handle that feels tight can break the internal components. If it is stiff, it needs maintenance, not brute force. This prevents the need for a leaky faucet handle fix down the road.

Knowing When to Call a Professional

While this guide covers most common issues for DIY kitchen faucet repair, some situations require an expert.

If the leak is coming directly from the main body casting, not the connections or spout.
If you cannot access or remove the mounting nuts because they are rusted solid.
If your faucet is a very old, obscure brand, and you cannot find matching replacement parts.
If you attempt a faucet washer replacement kitchen sink but the leak persists, indicating deeper valve seat damage.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I use regular grease on my faucet parts?

No. You must use silicone-based plumber’s grease. Regular petroleum-based grease can degrade the rubber components like O-rings and washers over time, causing faster leaks.

How long should a new faucet cartridge last?

A quality replacement cartridge should last between 5 to 15 years, depending on water quality and usage frequency. Hard water shortens this lifespan significantly.

What is the best way to remove a stuck faucet handle?

If wiggling doesn’t work, try spraying a penetrating oil (like WD-40, sparingly and away from internal water pathways) around the base where the handle meets the stem. Let it sit for 15 minutes. If it is held by a set screw, ensure the screw is fully removed. For severe sticking, a dedicated faucet handle puller tool is the safest option to avoid damaging the faucet body.

Why is my faucet leaking even after I tried to tighten it?

Tightening the faucet (trying to how to tighten loose kitchen faucet connections) only addresses structural wobbling or loose external connections. If the drip continues from the spout, the internal seals (washers or cartridge) are worn out and must be replaced. Tightening an already tight assembly will not fix an internal seal failure.