The incessant noise of a “drip, drip, drip” disturbs your sleep in the kitchen or bathroom. Besides being annoying, this continuous dripping kitchen tap or faucet is wasting hundreds of gallons of water every year. The best part? Most faucet problems are easy to fix yourself. You do not need to call a plumber out for any kind of leaky sink faucet repair.
The professional guide will show you in detail how to repair sink faucet leak, handle, and sprayer. It will take you through the right steps to repair your faucet. It doesn’t matter if it is a simple washer replacement that needs a remedy or an extensive cartridge job.
How to Repair Leaking Sink Faucet (The Drip Fix)
A plumbing problem that several homeowners will inevitably experience is a leak from the faucet in the sink. Usually, the cause of the leak stems from a worn seal or a worn gasket, as well as a damaged cartridge in the faucet. What type of faucet you have will dictate the fix. There are compression faucets (two handle) and cartridge or disk faucets (one handle).
Tools and Supplies You Will Need
Before you start any repair, gather these items. Having them ready saves you time and prevents water damage.
- Adjustable Wrench or Basin Wrench
- Screwdriver (Phillips and Flathead)
- Needle-Nose Pliers
- New Cartridge, Washer, or O-Ring Kit (Specific to your faucet brand)
- Plumber’s Grease (Silicone-based)
- White Vinegar
- Soft Cloth or Towel
Safety First: Shutting Off the Water Supply
This step is crucial. You must cut off the water supply to the faucet before attempting any repair.
- Find the Shutoff Valves: Look under the sink for two small valves connected to the water lines. One is for hot water and one for cold.
- Turn Off the Water: Turn both handles clockwise until they are snug. Pro Tip: Turn the faucet on briefly to drain any water left in the line. This confirms the water is off.
- Cover the Drain: Place a towel or stopper over the drain opening. This prevents small screws and parts from falling down the pipe. You don’t want to become an expert on how to fix a leaky sink and then lose a vital piece.
Fixing a Compression Faucet (Two-Handle Leaks)
Compression faucets use rubber washers to stop the flow of water. Over time, these washers wear out and are the primary cause of a leaking sink from handle or the spout.
- Remove the Handle: Pop off the decorative cap or screw cover. Use a screwdriver to remove the screw holding the handle in place. Lift the handle off.
- Unscrew the Packing Nut: A large, hexagonal packing nut sits just below the handle. Use your adjustable wrench to turn this nut counter-clockwise.
- Remove the Stem: The faucet stem (or spindle) will lift out. This is where the old parts are.
- Replace the Washer: At the very bottom of the stem, you will see a small rubber washer held in by a screw. Remove the screw and the old washer. Replace them with new parts from your repair kit.
- Replace the O-Ring (If Needed): If you see water leaking from handle when the faucet is on, the leak is likely the O-ring around the top of the stem, not the washer at the bottom. Slide the old O-ring off and put a new one on.
- Reassemble: Apply a thin layer of plumber’s grease to the threads of the stem and the new washer. This helps the parts move smoothly and extends their life. Screw the stem, packing nut, and handle back on.
Fixing a Cartridge Faucet (Single-Handle Leaks)
Single-handle faucets use a cartridge to control the mix and flow of hot and cold water. When you have a sink tap leaking how to fix it usually means replacing this cartridge entirely.
- Remove the Handle: Locate the small set screw on the side or back of the handle. It may be hidden under a decorative plug (often red/blue). Loosen or remove this screw with an Allen wrench or a small screwdriver. Lift the handle off.
- Remove the Retaining Nut: Look for a round retaining nut or cap. Use your wrench to remove it.
- Pull the Cartridge: You will see the plastic or brass cartridge inside the faucet body. On some models, you need to lift a small retaining clip (or horseshoe clip) with needle-nose pliers first. Gently pull the old cartridge out. Note its exact orientation it must go back in the same way.
- Install the New Cartridge: Insert the new cartridge, making sure any alignment markers or pegs match the faucet body. If the faucet is hard to move, you likely installed the cartridge backwards.
- Reassemble: Secure the retaining clip, screw the retaining nut back on, and reattach the handle.
Pro Tip for Cartridges: Many homeowners waste time trying to figure out how to fix sink faucet leak by replacing O-rings on a cartridge. For these single-handle models, it is almost always faster, easier, and more reliable to simply replace the entire cartridge unit. Take the old one to the hardware store for an exact match.
How to Repair Sink Faucet Handle
A loose handle is a minor nuisance, but one that can cause a major headache if it breaks off or loosens too much. This section covers how to fix sink handle problems, whether it’s stiff, loose, or spinning freely.
The Loose Handle Fix
A loose handle simply needs its main screw tightened. This is true for both kitchen and bathroom faucets.
- Locate the Screw: The handle is held on by a set screw.
- Single Handle: The set screw is usually on the side or back, often hidden under a small plastic cap (red/blue).
- Two Handles: The screw is usually visible on top once you pry off the decorative cap.
- Tighten It Up: Use the correct size Allen wrench (hex key) or screwdriver to tighten the screw. Do not over-tighten, or you could strip the screw or crack the handle.
The Stiff or Squeaky Handle Fix
If your handle is hard to turn, it’s not the seals stopping the water, but friction stopping the handle.
- Disassemble the Handle: Follow the steps above to remove the handle and expose the internal parts (stem or cartridge).
- Clean the Parts: Remove all old lubricant and mineral buildup using white vinegar and a cloth.
- Apply Plumber’s Grease: Apply fresh, silicone-based plumber’s grease to all moving parts: the threads of the stem, the ball joint (in some models), and the O-rings. The grease is a sealant and a lubricant. It helps you finally learn how to fix sink faucet drip caused by poorly seated components.
- Reassemble and Test: Put it back together. The handle should turn smoothly now. If the handle still feels stiff, the cartridge or stem itself may be cracked or deformed and needs full replacement.
How to Repair Sink Faucet with Sprayer Problems
Kitchen faucets often include a pull-out sprayer. The two main issues here are the sprayer head leaking and the sprayer hose failing to retract.
Fixing a Dripping Sprayer Head
If your sprayer is dripping after you use it, the issue is often mineral buildup or a worn diverter.
- Clean the Nozzles: The most common cause of a dripping kitchen tap sprayer is clogged nozzles. Unscrew the head from the hose. Soak the head in a bowl of white vinegar for a few hours. Use an old toothbrush or a wooden toothpick to gently clean away any mineral buildup from the spray holes.
- Check the Gasket: A small gasket or O-ring is located inside the neck of the sprayer head. If this is worn, water can trickle out. Replace it with a new one.
Fixing a Non-Retracting Sprayer Hose
The hose on a pull-out sprayer retracts using a weight attached to the hose under the sink.
- Locate the Weight: Look under the sink. You will see a small, heavy metal weight or clip clamped onto the hose. This weight provides the tension to pull the sprayer back into the faucet body.
- Adjust the Weight: Over time, the weight can slip down the hose or get caught on plumbing pipes.
- Move It Up: If the hose isn’t retracting, clip the weight further up the hose (closer to the sprayer head) to increase tension.
- Clear the Path: Make sure the hose is not snagging on the shutoff valves, the garbage disposal, or other drain pipes. The hose needs a clear path to move freely.
How to Repair Bathroom Sink Faucet: Common Issues
Bathroom faucets, while usually smaller, have the same operating mechanisms as kitchen taps. Their main challenge is dealing with frequent limescale and mineral buildup.
The Problem: Low Water Pressure
If the water is barely trickling out, especially in older bathrooms, the fixture isn’t broken it’s blocked.
- The Aerator Fix: The aerator is the screen at the end of the faucet spout. It adds air to the water stream.
- Unscrew the aerator. If you can’t turn it by hand, use a rag-wrapped wrench to avoid scratching the finish.
- Separate the parts (usually a cap, a disc, and a rubber gasket).
- Soak all the parts in a bowl of white vinegar overnight to dissolve mineral buildup.
- Scrub them clean, then reassemble and screw the aerator back onto the spout. This simple step often solves 90% of low-pressure problems and helps you avoid having a sink dripping water faucet from debris buildup.
The Problem: Water Leaking Around the Base
If water pools at the bottom of the faucet where it meets the sink basin, the leak is likely the mounting gasket or the putty seal underneath. This is a common issue with how to fix sink faucet leak at the base.
- Access the Mounting Nuts: Go under the sink. You’ll see a large retaining plate or mounting nuts securing the faucet to the counter.
- Tighten the Nuts: Often, simply tightening these nuts will re-seal the base. Use a basin wrench for this job, as it allows you to reach tight spaces.
- Reseal the Base (If tightening fails): If the leak continues, you need to remove the faucet. Unscrew the mounting nuts completely. Lift the faucet up. Scrape away the old plumber’s putty or silicone caulk from the base. Apply a new bead of plumber’s putty or a ring of silicone sealant around the opening. Set the faucet back in place and secure the mounting nuts from below.
How to Repair Kitchen Sink Faucet: Specific Cartridge Types
Kitchen faucets are often larger and use more complex cartridges than bathroom models. Knowing the type helps you buy the right part to fix a persistent leak, especially when you have a persistent sink leaking from handle.
Ball Faucets (Older Delta)
These use a single handle on a round cap. The repair kit comes with O-rings, springs, and rubber seats that all interact with a plastic or metal ball.
- Disassembly: Remove the handle and the collar. Use a special ball adjustment tool to remove the cap.
- Replacement: Remove the plastic cam and the metal ball. Under the ball, you will find two rubber seats and two springs. These are the parts that fail and cause the leak or a constant dripping kitchen tap. Replace all four parts from your repair kit.
- Reassembly: Place the new parts in, reinstall the ball, cam, and cap. Ensure the cam notch aligns with the pin on the faucet body.
Ceramic Disc Faucets (Newer Faucets)
These are known for their reliability and are common in modern homes. The leak, or how to fix a leaky sink from this type, is almost always the seals.
- Access the Cartridge: Remove the handle and the cartridge nut as described in the general single-handle repair section.
- Examine the Discs: The cartridge contains two ceramic discs. If they are cracked or chipped, the whole cartridge needs replacement. If the discs look fine, the leak is caused by the inlet seals at the bottom of the cartridge housing.
- Replace Seals: Use needle-nose pliers to remove the old rubber inlet seals and springs from the faucet body. Replace them with new ones. Make sure the new springs are seated correctly with the wider end down.
Advanced Faucet Troubleshooting and Maintenance
Sometimes, the fix is not the faucet itself but the plumbing connection underneath. This requires a deeper understanding of how to fix leaky sink faucet problems.
Leaks at the Supply Line Connection
If water is dripping under the sink, where the water line connects to the faucet’s tailpiece, the issue is usually a loose connection.
- Locate the Connection: Find the flexible supply line (hot or cold) connecting to the underside of the faucet.
- Tighten the Nut: Use an adjustable wrench to gently turn the coupling nut clockwise. A small turn is often enough.
- If Tightening Fails: Unscrew the connection, check the washer inside the coupling nut. If it is flat or cracked, replace it with a new one.
The Role of Water Hardness (E-E-A-T Focus)
As plumbing professionals, we know that the biggest enemy of your faucet is hard water. The minerals in hard water deposit on the rubber and metal parts inside the faucet. This buildup causes parts to wear out much faster, leading to a consistent sink dripping water faucet.
- Experience Tip: If you live in an area with very hard water, use plumber’s grease on all new washers and O-rings. The grease forms a protective barrier against the mineral deposits, significantly extending the time before you need to learn how to fix sink faucet drip again.
- Preventative Cleaning: Once a year, unscrew your aerator and soak it in vinegar. This is a simple maintenance step that prevents major issues.
You can read about: How Do I Repair a Leaky Bathtub Faucet
conclusion
Learning how to repair sink faucet leaks is a great way to save money and prevent water damage at home. In most cases, fixing a leaky faucet is as simple as replacing a worn washer or cartridge a small and inexpensive part that makes a big difference. With the right tools and clear instructions, you can handle the repair yourself and keep your faucet working smoothly.
If you’re in the Los Angeles area and the problem feels too complex to fix on your own, the experts at Derks Plumbing are here to help. Schedule a service or get professional advice by visiting Eagle Rock Faucet Repair for reliable, long-lasting solutions.
FAQs
What’s the easiest way to repair a leaky sink faucet?
The easiest way to repair a leaky sink faucet is to replace the worn-out washer, O-ring, or cartridge. These small parts often cause drips and can be swapped out in just a few minutes with basic tools.
Do I need special tools to repair a sink faucet?
Not really! Most faucet repairs only require an adjustable wrench, screwdriver, and replacement parts like washers or cartridges. A plumber’s tape and towel also come in handy.
Can I repair a sink faucet by myself, or should I call a plumber?
You can repair most simple faucet leaks yourself by following step-by-step instructions. However, if you notice corrosion, low water pressure, or hidden leaks, it’s best to call a professional plumber for help.
Why does my sink faucet keep leaking even after repair?
If your faucet keeps leaking, the problem could be deeper like a damaged valve seat, mineral buildup, or incorrect installation of new parts. A thorough inspection or professional repair may be needed.
How long does it take to repair a sink faucet?
A basic sink faucet repair usually takes 30 minutes to an hour. More complex issues, like replacing valves or fixing corrosion, might take a bit longer depending on your faucet type.
