How to Fix a Leaking Kitchen Faucet

How to Fix a Leaking Kitchen Faucet

Kitchen faucets take more daily use than any other faucet in your home — so it's no surprise they're the most common source of faucet leaks. Here's how to fix the three most common types of kitchen faucet leaks.

Type 1: Dripping from the Spout

Water drips from the spout even when the faucet is fully off. This means the internal seal is worn.

What you need:

• Faucet stem repair kit — cartridge, seats, springs for two-handle faucets
• Rubber strap wrench
• PTFE thread seal tape

Fix:

1. Turn off the hot and cold shut-off valves under the sink
2. Turn on the faucet to release pressure
3. Remove the handle(s) — pry off the decorative cap, unscrew the handle screw, pull off the handle
4. For two-handle: unscrew the stem, replace the seat washer and springs from your repair kit
5. For single-handle: pull out the cartridge, replace with a matching new one
6. Reassemble, turn water back on, test

Type 2: Leaking Around the Base

Water pools around the base of the faucet on the countertop. This is caused by worn O-rings on the faucet body.

Fix:

1. Turn off water supply valves
2. Disconnect the supply lines under the sink
3. Remove the mounting nut holding the faucet to the sink
4. Lift the faucet out and replace the O-rings on the base (bring old ones to match size)
5. Apply plumber's grease to new O-rings before installing
6. Reinstall faucet, reconnect supply lines with fresh PTFE tape on threads
7. Turn water on and check for leaks

Type 3: Leaking Under the Sink

Water drips from the supply line connections or the drain. This is usually a loose connection or worn supply line.

Fix:

1. Identify exactly where the drip is coming from — supply line connection, shut-off valve, or drain
2. For supply line connections: tighten the connection by hand first, then a quarter turn with a wrench. Don't overtighten.
3. If the supply line itself is cracked or corroded, replace it entirely
4. Wrap threaded connections with PTFE tape before reconnecting

Tips for Kitchen Faucet Repairs

• Take photos before disassembling — helps with reassembly
• Bring old parts to the hardware store to match replacements exactly
• Use the rubber strap wrench on chrome parts to avoid scratching
• Always turn off the water supply before starting any repair

When to Replace Instead of Repair

If the faucet is more than 15–20 years old, parts are hard to find, or the body is cracked, replacement is often more cost-effective than repair. A new kitchen faucet typically costs $50–$300 and installs in 1–2 hours.

Bottom Line

Most kitchen faucet leaks are fixed by replacing the cartridge, seat washer, or O-rings — all inexpensive parts. Identify where the leak is coming from, turn off the water, swap the worn part, and reassemble. Most repairs take under an hour.