Can I fix a leaky kitchen faucet with two handles myself? Yes, you absolutely can! This guide will walk you through how to stop faucet drips and tackle common issues like a hot water leak or a cold water leak with simple tools and techniques.
A dripping kitchen faucet is more than just an annoyance; it’s a waste of water and can lead to higher utility bills. Fortunately, most leaky faucets with two handles can be repaired with a bit of patience and the right approach. This DIY guide will help you identify the cause of the leak and show you how to fix it, making your kitchen quieter and more water-efficient.
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Why Is My Faucet Dripping?
Before you can fix a leaky kitchen faucet, it’s helpful to know what’s causing the problem. The most common culprits are worn-out rubber washers, O-rings, or a damaged valve seat. Over time, these small, inexpensive parts can degrade, allowing water to seep through even when the handles are turned off. In faucets with two handles, each handle controls the flow of either hot or cold water, and a leak can originate from either side, or sometimes both.
Tools You’ll Need for Your DIY Faucet Fix
Gathering the right tools before you start will make the process smoother and prevent unnecessary trips to the hardware store. Here’s a basic list:
- Adjustable wrench: For loosening and tightening nuts and bolts.
- Phillips and flathead screwdrivers: You’ll likely need both types.
- Pliers: Needle-nose pliers can be very helpful for gripping small parts.
- Penetrating oil (like WD-40): To help loosen stubborn parts.
- Rag or old towel: To catch any water and protect your sink.
- Bucket: To place under the faucet to catch drips.
- Plumber’s grease or silicone grease: To lubricate new parts.
- Replacement parts: This might include faucet washers, O-rings, or a new cartridge, depending on your faucet type. A faucet repair kit is often the easiest way to get all the necessary small parts.
- Utility knife or putty knife: To gently pry off decorative caps.
Step-by-Step Guide to Repairing Your Faucet
Let’s break down the process into manageable steps. We’ll cover how to replace faucet washer and how to replace cartridge, which are the most frequent solutions to repair dripping faucet.
Step 1: Turn Off the Water Supply
This is the most crucial first step. You don’t want water spraying everywhere while you’re trying to work.
- Look under your sink for two shut-off valves, one for hot water and one for cold water.
- Turn these valves clockwise until they are snug.
- Once the valves are closed, turn on the faucet handles to drain any remaining water in the pipes. This will also confirm that the water supply is indeed off.
Step 2: Disassemble the Faucet Handles
Now it’s time to access the internal parts of your faucet.
Accessing the Handle Screws
- Identify the decorative caps: Most faucet handles have small decorative caps that hide the screws. These are usually on the top or front of the handle.
- Gently remove the caps: Use a utility knife or a small flathead screwdriver to carefully pry off these caps. Be gentle to avoid scratching the finish.
- Remove the screws: Use the appropriate screwdriver (usually a Phillips head) to unscrew the handle screw. Keep the screw in a safe place!
Removing the Faucet Handles
- Lift off the handles: Once the screw is removed, the handle should lift straight up. If it’s stuck, try gently wiggling it or applying a bit of penetrating oil around the base. Avoid forcing it, as you could damage the faucet. Sometimes, a handle puller tool might be needed for very stubborn handles.
Step 3: Identify Your Faucet Type and the Source of the Leak
This is where you’ll figure out whether you need to replace faucet washer or a cartridge. Two-handle faucets generally use either a compression system (with washers) or a cartridge system.
Compression Faucets (Most Common for Older Faucets)
These faucets rely on a rubber washer that is compressed against a valve seat to stop water flow. A leak often means the washer is worn out.
- How to identify: You’ll typically see a stem that screws down into the faucet body.
Cartridge Faucets (More Common in Newer Faucets)
These use a removable cartridge that contains all the moving parts. A leak usually means the cartridge needs to be replaced.
- How to identify: You’ll usually see a decorative bonnet or cover over the top of the stem assembly. The stem itself might be less visible.
Step 4: Fixing Compression Faucets (Replacing the Washer)
This section focuses on how to stop faucet drips in compression faucets.
Removing the Packing Nut and Stem
- Locate the packing nut: This is a hexagonal nut located just below the handle.
- Loosen the packing nut: Use your adjustable wrench to turn the packing nut counter-clockwise.
- Remove the stem assembly: Once the packing nut is loose, you should be able to unscrew the entire stem assembly by hand or with pliers.
Replacing the Faucet Washer
- Inspect the washer: At the bottom of the stem, you’ll see a rubber washer held in place by a screw. This is the most common culprit for a repair dripping faucet.
- Remove the old washer: Unscrew the small screw holding the washer in place. If the screw is corroded, you might need to apply penetrating oil.
- Install the new washer: Place a new washer of the same size and type onto the stem. Secure it with the screw. It’s a good idea to buy a faucet repair kit that contains various sizes of washers to ensure you have the correct one.
- Check the O-ring: While the stem is out, check the O-ring located on the stem itself. If it looks worn or brittle, it’s a good idea to replace it too. Lubricate the new O-ring with plumber’s grease.
Inspecting and Cleaning the Valve Seat
- Locate the valve seat: This is the brass opening at the bottom of the faucet body where the washer presses against.
- Inspect for damage: Feel the valve seat with your finger. If it feels rough, nicked, or corroded, it can prevent the new washer from creating a watertight seal.
- Clean the valve seat: You can try cleaning it with a cloth or a specialized valve seat dresser tool. If it’s damaged, you might need to replace it. Some valve seats are removable and can be unscrewed with a seat wrench.
Reassembling the Faucet
- Reinsert the stem assembly: Screw the stem back into the faucet body.
- Tighten the packing nut: Tighten faucet handle components snuggly, but don’t overtighten.
- Reattach the handle: Place the handle back onto the stem and secure it with the screw.
- Replace the decorative cap.
Step 5: Fixing Cartridge Faucets (Replacing the Cartridge)
This section covers how to handle a fix hot water leak or fix cold water leak in a cartridge faucet.
Removing the Retaining Clip or Nut
- Locate the cartridge: After removing the handle, you’ll see the top of the cartridge, often covered by a decorative bonnet or nut.
- Remove the bonnet/nut: Unscrew any decorative cover that’s in the way.
- Identify the retaining mechanism: Most cartridges are held in place by a retaining clip or a threaded nut.
- Retaining clip: This is usually a small metal clip that slides into a slot on the side of the cartridge body. Use needle-nose pliers to pull it straight out.
- Retaining nut: This is a larger nut that screws onto the faucet body, securing the cartridge. Use your adjustable wrench to unscrew it counter-clockwise.
Removing the Old Cartridge
- Pull out the cartridge: With the clip or nut removed, you should be able to pull the cartridge straight up and out. It might be a tight fit.
- Wiggle and twist: Sometimes, a gentle wiggle or twist can help dislodge a stubborn cartridge. If it’s really stuck, you might need a cartridge puller tool, which is designed specifically for this purpose.
Installing the New Cartridge
- Match the new cartridge: Take the old cartridge to the hardware store to ensure you get an exact replacement. Brand and model numbers on the faucet can also help. Your faucet repair kit might contain a cartridge if that’s the type of faucet you have.
- Lubricate O-rings: Before inserting the new cartridge, apply a thin layer of plumber’s grease to its O-rings. This helps it seal properly and makes future removal easier.
- Insert the new cartridge: Align the new cartridge correctly into the faucet body. There are usually notches or tabs that need to line up.
- Reinstall the retaining clip or nut: Secure the new cartridge by sliding the clip back into place or screwing the retaining nut back on.
- Replace the bonnet/nut if applicable.
Reassembling the Faucet
- Reattach the handle: Place the handle back onto the cartridge stem and secure it with the screw.
- Replace the decorative cap.
Step 6: Testing Your Repair
- Turn the water supply back on: Slowly open the shut-off valves under the sink.
- Check for leaks: Turn on both the hot and cold water handles and let them run for a few seconds. Then, turn them off completely.
- Observe carefully: Look and listen for any drips from the spout or leaks around the handles. If the dripping has stopped, congratulations! You’ve successfully completed your DIY faucet fix.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Even with careful work, you might encounter a few snags.
Faucet Still Dripping After Replacing Parts
- Washer size: If you replaced a washer, double-check that you used the correct size.
- Valve seat damage: A damaged valve seat is often the reason a new washer doesn’t stop a drip. Consider if you need to replace or re-dress the seat.
- Cartridge alignment: For cartridge faucets, ensure the new cartridge is seated correctly and all retaining clips or nuts are properly secured.
- Loose parts: Go back and ensure all nuts and screws are tightened appropriately. Don’t overtighten, but make sure there’s no looseness.
Leaks Around the Handle
- Packing nut: If you have a compression faucet, the packing nut might not be tight enough, or the packing material (often string or a rubber washer) around the stem might be worn. Tighten the packing nut slightly or replace the packing.
- O-rings: On both compression and cartridge faucets, worn O-rings on the stem or cartridge can cause leaks around the handle. Replace these if you notice leaks in this area.
Difficulty Removing Parts
- Corrosion: Mineral buildup and corrosion can make parts stick. Penetrating oil is your best friend here. Let it soak for a while before trying to loosen parts again.
- The right tools: Using the correct size wrench or screwdriver can make a big difference. If a part feels like it’s going to break, stop and re-evaluate.
Replacing the Entire Faucet
If your faucet is very old, heavily corroded, or you can’t identify the parts, it might be time to replace the entire faucet. This is a more involved plumbing repair, but it’s still a doable DIY project. You’ll need to shut off the water, disconnect the old faucet, and install the new one following the manufacturer’s instructions.
When to Call a Professional Plumber
While many faucet leaks are simple fixes, there are times when it’s best to call a professional:
- You’re uncomfortable with any part of the DIY faucet fix.
- You’ve tried the above steps, and the faucet still leaks.
- The faucet body itself is cracked or severely damaged.
- You can’t identify the type of faucet or find the correct replacement parts.
- You’re dealing with a more complex plumbing repair issue that goes beyond a simple drip.
Table: Common Faucet Leak Causes and Fixes
| Symptom of Leak | Likely Cause(s) | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Dripping from spout | Worn-out washer (compression faucet) | Replace faucet washer and check/clean valve seat. |
| Dripping from spout | Worn-out cartridge (cartridge faucet) | Replace cartridge. |
| Leak around handle | Loose packing nut (compression faucet) | Tighten faucet handle‘s packing nut or replace packing. |
| Leak around handle | Worn O-ring on stem/cartridge | Replace O-ring. |
| Water won’t turn off | Damaged valve seat | Clean, re-dress, or replace valve seat. |
| Hard to turn handle | Corroded stem or worn internal parts | Disassemble, clean, lubricate, or replace cartridge / stem assembly. |
| Fix hot water leak | Worn washer/cartridge for hot side | Replace washer or cartridge on the hot water handle side. |
| Fix cold water leak | Worn washer/cartridge for cold side | Replace washer or cartridge on the cold water handle side. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: How often should I replace faucet washers?
A1: Faucet washers don’t have a set replacement schedule. You typically replace them when they show signs of wear, such as a persistent drip. This could be anywhere from a few years to over a decade, depending on water quality and usage.
Q2: What is a faucet repair kit?
A2: A faucet repair kit is a collection of common replacement parts for faucets, such as washers, O-rings, and sometimes even small springs or retaining clips. They are often sold by faucet brand or type and are a convenient way to have the necessary parts on hand for a DIY faucet fix.
Q3: Can I fix a leaky faucet if I don’t know the brand?
A3: It can be more challenging, but not impossible. Take clear photos of your faucet and the parts you remove. Bring the old parts to a good hardware store or plumbing supply shop; they can often help you identify compatible replacements based on the part’s design and dimensions.
Q4: How do I stop faucet drips permanently?
A4: To stop faucet drips permanently, you need to identify and replace the worn-out internal component causing the leak. This is usually a washer in older faucets or a cartridge in newer ones. Ensuring the valve seat is in good condition is also critical for compression faucets.
Q5: What’s the difference between fixing a hot water leak and a cold water leak?
A5: The process is essentially the same. You’ll need to identify which handle controls the hot water and which controls the cold. Then, you’ll disassemble the appropriate handle and replace the worn washer or cartridge specific to that side of the faucet to fix hot water leak or fix cold water leak.
By following these detailed steps, you can confidently tackle a leaky kitchen faucet with two handles. Not only will you save money on water and repairs, but you’ll also gain the satisfaction of a successful DIY plumbing repair. Happy fixing!