How to Fix a Dripping Kitchen Faucet
A kitchen faucet that drips is the most common household plumbing problem. Dripping usually occurs when the O-ring inside the faucet’s aerator has worn out or broken. Left unchecked, a dripping kitchen faucet can have a significant impact on the water bill and can eventually carve a channel into the metal faucet seat.
Thankfully, a dripping kitchen faucet can easily and inexpensively be repaired with common household tools and a new O-ring.
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Remove the aerator from the faucet’s spout. The aerator is the last portion of the spout that the water flows through before it exits the faucet. Wrap both jaws of a pair of pliers with masking tape to avoid scratching the aerator when it is removed. Grasp the aerator with the pliers and twist the aerator in a counterclockwise direction to remove it from the faucet’s spout.
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Remove the O-ring from the aerator. The O-ring is a rubber ring located on the spout side of the aerator. Use a flathead screwdriver to pry the O-ring free from the aerator.
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Clean any mineral buildup present on the small holes on the aerator. Use a small brush, such as a toothbrush, dipped in vinegar to brush the mineral deposits away gently.
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Insert a new O-ring into the aerator by pressing it into place.
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Attach the aerator the faucet’s spout. Turn the aerator in a clockwise direction until it is finger-tight, then use the pliers with tape wrapped around the jaws to tighten the aerator onto the spout, thereby completing the repair.
Things You Will Need
- Pliers
- Masking tape
- Flathead screwdriver
- Small brush
- Vinegar
- O-ring
Writer Bio
John Stevens has been a writer for various websites since 2008. He holds an Associate of Science in administration of justice from Riverside Community College, a Bachelor of Arts in criminal justice from California State University, San Bernardino, and a Juris Doctor from Whittier Law School. Stevens is a lawyer and licensed real-estate broker.
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