How to Fix Your Leaky Kitchen Sink Faucet
The dripping sound of your leaky faucet and water pooling under your sink is a quick reminder that it could turn into a plumbing nightmare that can put a hole in your pocket.
If you’re a homeowner in the Bay Area in California, chances are your kitchen is one of the most used rooms in your home. That’s where you’d prepare your tasty meals, wash dishes and wash your hands too.
Kitchen sink provides an easy way to dispose all the liquids that can go through its pipe safely. So if your kitchen sink faucet is leaking, you’ll have to fix it as soon as possible. But fixing a leaky kitchen sink faucet requires a thoughtful approach.
How to Fix Your Leaky Kitchen Sink Faucet in 5 Easy Steps
- Find the source of the leak
To identify the cause of the leak, you’ll have to check under your sink. You’ll notice 2 different pipes, one is used for getting rid of waste water, while the other is used for fresh water. You’ll have to find out which of the pipes is dripping.
To find out if it’s the drain pipe, dry the pipe with a rag or an old towel and then fill the sink with water until it is almost full. Check for wet spots on the pipe while the water is draining. Whether the drain pipe is good or not, you should check the fresh water pipe too. So, if the leak is caused by the fresh water pipe, you’ll have to check where the pipe is connected to the faucet.
- Identify the cause of the leak
Once you’ve figured that the water is dripping from the faucet right under the sink, you’ll have to identify the cause of the leak. Lookout for cracks in the pipes, faulty connections and displaced valves. These are some of the key causes of leaky kitchen sink faucet.
- Prepare to fix the leak
Before you start, you’ll have to shut off your main water supply so you can work without being interrupted. If there’s a shut off valve for the pipes under your sink, then use it. If not, you’ll have to locate the master shut off valve and shut it off.
After shutting off, open the faucet to allow all the water it contains to drain out. Double check to ensure the pipes are empty before you start any repair.
- Fix the leak
Sometimes, the only cause of the leak is because some of the nuts under the sink are no longer as firm as they once were. If this is the case, get a wrench and tighten the nuts. With this, you should be able to fix and end the leak.
- Take it a step further
If tightening the nuts doesn’t work, you’ll have to carefully undo the nuts that are under the sink. You can use a basin wrench for loosening and undoing these nuts. If you intend to buy a replacement hose for connecting these pipes, make sure you pick the appropriate type.
Also, if your shut off valve is leaking, because they wear out with age, you’ll have to turn off your main water supply. After that, you can undo the shut off valve and replace it.
A leaky kitchen sink faucet should never be left unattended. The dripping water that has caused a pool under your sink can cause other plumbing issues that may require a bigger budget to fix. If you can, replace all parts that needs replacement. Do not see a leaky faucet as old faithful that you’ll patch up and continue using. Always play safe at all times.