How to Repair a Dripping Faucet in the Kitchen: A Step-by-Step Guide

A dripping faucet can be an annoyance, not only for the constant sound but also for the wasted water. Luckily, fixing a dripping kitchen faucet is a relatively simple DIY task that can be completed in under an hour with the right tools and know-how. This guide will teach you how to repair a dripping faucet in the kitchen. 

Make Sure You Have These Tools:

• Basin wrench or adjustable wrench
• Phillips head screwdriver
• Allen wrench (sometimes included in faucet repair kit)
• Replacement faucet cartridge or repair kit (depending on your faucet type)
• Bucket or rag
• Pencil (optional)

Begin The Process By Shutting Off the Water Supply

The first step is to turn off the water supply to your kitchen faucet. Locate the shut-off valves under your sink, typically near the base of the faucet. These valves will have handles or knobs that you can turn clockwise to stop the water flow. If you can’t locate the shut-off valves, you may need to turn off the water supply to your entire house at the main shut-off valve.

Pro Tip: Place a bucket or rag under the faucet to catch any dripping water while you work.

Identify the Faucet Type in Your Kitchen

There are two main types of kitchen faucets: cartridge faucets and compression faucets. Cartridge faucets use a single cartridge to control both hot and cold water flow, while compression faucets use separate stems for hot and cold water.

To identify your faucet type, look for a small cap or cover on the handle base. If the cap has a screw, you likely have a compression faucet. If there’s no screw and the cap pops off easily, it’s a cartridge faucet.

How to Repair a Dripping Cartridge Faucet in the Kitchen: The Steps

Cartridge faucets are popular for their ease of use and repair. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the steps involved in fixing a dripping cartridge faucet:

1. Remove the Handle:

The first step involves removing the handle. Locate the decorative cap at the base of the faucet handle. This cap might simply pop off or may be secured with a screw. If there’s a screw, use the Phillips head screwdriver to loosen and remove it. Once the cap is removed, you’ll see an Allen screw underneath. 

Use the Allen wrench (often included in faucet repair kits) to loosen this screw. Be careful not to strip the screw head by using the wrong size wrench or applying too much pressure. Gently pull the handle straight towards you to remove it.

If this feels overwhelming, it’s better to stop right away and look for a professional plumbing company. Sometimes, the problem is bigger and needs expertise to repair. Therefore, if you’re in Miami, then JMK plumbing can help you out. With years of experience in our resume, we can repair your dripping faucets easily.

2. Unscrew the Cartridge Retainer:

Look for the cartridge retainer nut located just beneath the handle. This nut is usually made of metal and may have flats on its side for wrench use. Use the basin wrench or adjustable wrench to loosen the cartridge retainer nut by turning it counter-clockwise. Be careful not to damage the nut or surrounding parts by applying excessive force.

3. Extract the Cartridge:

Once the retainer nut is loose, you should be able to remove it completely by hand. With the nut removed, the cartridge itself should be visible within the faucet body. Grasp the cartridge firmly and pull it straight out of the faucet body.

Tip:  It’s a good idea to place a bucket or rag underneath the faucet at this point to catch any water that might drip out as you remove the cartridge.

4. Replace the Cartridge:

Take the old cartridge to your local hardware store or plumbing supply to ensure you get a perfect match for your faucet model. The new cartridge should look very similar to the old one.  Look for any aligning marks or tabs on the cartridge and the faucet body. These markings help ensure the cartridge is inserted in the correct orientation. Carefully insert the new cartridge into the faucet body, aligning the marks as needed.

5. Reassemble the Faucet:

Screw the cartridge retainer nut back onto the faucet body. Tighten it snugly with the wrench, but be careful not to over-tighten it as this can damage the cartridge or faucet body. Reattach the handle by positioning it on the faucet stem and aligning the screw hole. Secure the handle with the Allen screw you removed earlier. Tighten the screw snugly with the Allen wrench. Pop the decorative cap back onto the handle base (if applicable).

Congratulations! You’ve successfully replaced the cartridge in your faucet.

Additional Tips:

• If the cartridge is stuck and difficult to remove, you can try tapping it gently with a rubber mallet to loosen it. Don’t use excessive force or a metal hammer, as this could damage the faucet.
• When reassembling the faucet, consider applying a light coat of plumber’s grease to the threads and any washers involved. This lubricant helps create a better seal and reduces the risk of future leaks.

How to Repair a Dripping Compression Faucet in the Kitchen:

While cartridge faucets are popular, many kitchens still have compression faucets.  Although these require a bit more effort to fix than cartridge faucets, they are still well within the capabilities of a DIY repair. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the steps involved in how to repair a dripping faucet in the kitchen with a compression design:

1. Remove the Handle:

The first step is to remove the handle. Locate the screw on the base of the handle. This screw might be hidden under a decorative cap, which you can usually pry off gently with a flathead screwdriver. Once the cap is removed, use the Phillips head screwdriver to loosen and remove the screw.  With the screw out, gently pull the handle straight towards you to remove it.

2. Replace the Packing Nut:

The packing nut sits beneath the handle and plays a crucial role in how to repair a dripping faucet in the kitchen. It compresses a washer to create a watertight seal around the valve stem. This washer is a common culprit for leaks. 

Here’s how to replace it:

• Use the basin wrench or adjustable wrench to loosen and remove the packing nut by turning it counter-clockwise. Be careful not to damage the nut or threads by applying excessive force.
• Once the packing nut is removed, you’ll see the old washer sitting beneath it. Remove and discard the old washer.
• Take the old washer with you to the hardware store to ensure you get a perfect replacement size and type for your specific faucet model.
• Place the new washer onto the valve stem, making sure it sits flush against the faucet body.
• Reinstall the packing nut by screwing it back onto the faucet body with your wrench. Tighten the nut snugly, but be careful not to over-tighten it. Over-tightening can damage the washer or make it difficult to turn the handle in the future.

3. Replace the Valve Stem:

If the leak persists after replacing the washer, the valve stem itself might be worn or damaged. Here’s how to replace it:

• With the packing nut loose, you’ll see the screw bonnet holding it in place. This bonnet is typically a hexagonal nut and can be loosened with your wrench by turning it counter-clockwise.
• Once the bonnet is loose, you can remove it completely. This will expose the valve stem itself.
• Use the wrench to loosen and remove the packing nut located at the bottom of the valve stem.
• Now, with the packing nut removed, you should be able to unscrew the valve stem by turning it counter-clockwise. Be careful as the valve stem may contain some residual water, so have a rag handy to catch any drips.
• Take the old valve stem to your hardware store to ensure you get an exact replacement.
• Install the new valve stem by screwing it into the faucet body clockwise. Tighten it snugly with your wrench.
• To reassemble the faucet, follow the steps above in reverse order. Install a new washer, tighten the packing nut, reinstall the bonnet, and finally, reattach the handle with its screw and decorative cap (if applicable).

Note: When replacing the washer or valve stem, consider applying a light coat of plumber’s grease to the threads and any washers involved. This lubricant helps create a better seal and reduces the risk of future leaks. Moreover, if you’re unsure about any of the steps or feel uncomfortable tackling the repair yourself, don’t hesitate to consult a professional plumber.

Turning the Water Back On and Testing

Once you’ve replaced the cartridge or repaired the compression faucet, turn the water supply valves back on slowly. Open the faucet handle and check for leaks. If there are no leaks, you have successfully learned how to fix a dripping kitchen faucet! – congratulations!

Final Words

And that’s all there is to know about how to repair a dripping faucet in the kitchen. Following the above mentioned steps, you should be able to repair your dripping kitchen faucet and enjoy a leak-free kitchen once again! And, if you need an expert plumbing company in Miami, don’t hesitate to get in touch with JMK plumbing or call us at 786-833-6750.