How To Fix A Leaky Kitchen Faucet – Washing Machine Type
There are literally hundreds, if not thousands, of different makes and models of kitchen faucets available today. This can be fun and exciting when you’re shopping for a faucet, but it can be just as overwhelming and confusing if you need to get one fixed.
Mechanically speaking, there are basically two types of kitchen sink faucets:
- Washer type faucets (also called compression)
- faucets without washing machine
Today you will learn how to fix a leaky kitchen faucet that has a washer on it. Washer type faucets come with a rubber washer that seals against the valve seat. When the rubber washer becomes hard or worn, or the seat itself wears out, this can often cause the faucet to leak. You can squeeze the faucet, which can slow down or even stop a leak, but it can also cause internal damage that may result in you having to buy a new kitchen sink faucet.
Fix your leaky faucet in six easy steps
- Shut off your water supply
- Disassemble your kitchen sink faucet
- Browse kitchen faucet parts
- Replace worn faucet parts if necessary
- Replace the washer seat if necessary.
- Reinstall kitchen faucet
To fix your leaky faucet, the first step is turn off your water supply. First look to see if there is a shutoff valve under the fixture, if it isn’t then you can always shut off the hot water supply directly at your water heater.
Well, once your water supply is turned off, you’ll want to disassemble your kitchen sink faucet. This is done by removing the handles. First loosen the screws with a Phillips screwdriver. The screw is usually under an ornamental cap. You will need to remove the lid first and you can do this by screwing it on or gently prying it off with a butter knife. If necessary, you can use pliers to remove the faucet covers… if you use this method, you can protect them with electrical tape or even cloth so you don’t damage the finish.
When you lift up on the handle, you will be able to unscrew the packing nut, exposing the rest of the kitchen faucet. You’ll want to make sure you remove the stem from the faucet by turning it in the “on” direction, or you’ll risk stripping the threads.
Ok, now that you’ve got the faucet smashed, it’s time to check your kitchen faucet parts. A compression kitchen faucet (washer type) has the falling parts:
- layer
- handle screw
- Solve
- stem nut
- packing nuts
- stem
- packing nuts
- Threads
- seat washer
- washer-screw
- valve seat
- griffin monkey
Start by examining the stem to make sure the threads are not badly worn or abraded. (you may need to replace the stem if the threads are worn)
Sometimes the cause of a dripping faucet can be the washing machine. You will find the washer at the bottom end of the stem. It is usually held in place with a brass screw. If the washer is completely crushed or has a gouge, it will need to be replaced..
The washer seat is the next part to examine. It’s hard to tell if it’s worn just by looking at it. It is a good idea rectify the seat of the washing machine while your kitchen faucet is smashed. This is done with a seating preparation tool. Sometimes the leakage problem is caused by the washer seat being damaged; if this is the case, it will go through the washers more often. Sometimes a washer seat unscrews. It can be possible replace washer seat if your find this is the cause.
To find out if you have the type of valve washer/seat that can be replaced, look at the hole to see if it is square or hex or a hole in the center with a slot for a screwdriver. If the washer seat only has a round hole in the center and no grooves, then you won’t be able to replace it.
If you need to replace your washer seat to keep your faucet from dripping after replacing other parts…and you don’t have the replaceable kind, then it may be time to shop for a new kitchen faucet.
Once you have followed the steps above, reinstall the faucet in the reverse order that you took it apart. Congratulations, you now know how to fix a leaky washing machine type kitchen faucet. This will save you hundreds of dollars that you may have spent on hiring a plumber.