You can easily do most kitchen faucet repairs yourself – no need to call a plumber. In this article you’ll find step-by-step instructions to help you repair your own kitchen faucet.
Kitchen faucets come in a variety of different types, but the basic plumbing and the process of removal, cleaning and reinstallation is the same for all of them. When some of the faucet parts get old, dirty or corroded, you will experience leaks and noise from your faucet. Sometimes all you need to do is clean some of the parts with a toothbrush, but parts that are completely worn out will need replacing. Depending on what problem you have, here are some basic faucet repairs:
Clogged Aerator
Place a towel or rag inside the drain so that if you drop any small parts you won’t lose them down the drain. Turn off the water. Most faucets have a small screen at the spout’s end where the water comes out. If this screen or aerator gets dirty, you can easily clean it. Unscrew the aerator from the spout and clean it using a toothbrush. To get rid of buildup, you can also soak it in a vinegar and warm water solution for about an hour. Once again use the toothbrush to remove leftover sediments. Dry out the spout and re-attach it to the body of the faucet. Try the faucet to see if it works better.
Repairing the Cartridge
A dirty or corroded cartridge may be at the root of your faucet’s problems. Turn the water supply off and place a cloth inside the sink drain. Remove the head of the faucet, being careful to keep all the parts in the right order for easier reassembly later. Loosen and remove the screws under the faucet spout, and pop it out with a nail file or knife. Under here you’ll find a long cylinder. This is the cartridge. Remove this part and take a good look at it. If it’s just a bit dirty you can clean it and put it back inside. If it’s corroded beyond repair you’ll need to buy a replacement cartridge. To clean a dirty cartridge, soak it in vinegar and warm water and then use a toothbrush to scrub it. If you need to replace the cartridge, take the old on with you to the hardware store so you can buy the exact same part again.
Put the faucet back together in reverse order and test it.
Clogged Pipe
Your problem may be due to a clog in the pipe leading to your faucet rather than in the faucet itself. Once again, turn the water supply off and put a cloth inside the sink drain. Remove the head of the faucet, keeping the parts in order for easier assembly when you’re done. Use a plumber’s snake by feeding it gently through the pipe, turning it to work it through any obstruction. Slowly remove the snake and reassemble the faucet in the correct order. Test the faucet by turning it on.
Some details of these processes will vary according to the type of faucet you have. However the basic process of repairing these problems is the same: Remove parts, find the corroded or dirty parts and either clean them or buy new parts to replace them. Then reassemble the faucet. Whatever kind of faucet you’ve got, you should be able to use this troubleshooting guide when you have problems with it.