The kitchen faucet is the hardest-working fixture in most houses. It gets turned on and off dozens of times a day, swung from side to side, and pulled out to fill pots. Modern kitchen faucets pack more parts into a small space than older ones, which is why they fail in more ways.
Common kitchen faucet problems
- Pull-down or pull-out hose leaking under the sink, often where the hose connects to the supply or where it has rubbed against the cabinet.
- Hose won't retract because the counterweight has slipped or the hose is snagged.
- Side sprayer weak or leaking, usually a diverter problem inside the faucet.
- Single handle stiff, loose or dripping: a worn cartridge.
- Weak flow at the spout while other taps are fine: a clogged aerator or spray head.
- Water at the base of the spout on swivel designs: spout O-rings.
Well water and kitchen faucets
In homes on a private well, which is most of Powhatan County, sediment and iron settle in the smallest openings first. On a kitchen faucet that means the aerator screen, the spray head and the cartridge inlets. The flow drops a little at a time, so it is easy not to notice until filling a pot takes twice as long. Cleaning or replacing those parts usually brings the flow back.
How it's repaired
The faucet is identified by brand and model, since cartridges and hoses are not interchangeable between manufacturers. The failed part is replaced, the aerator and spray head are cleaned or replaced, and the supply lines and shut-off valves under the sink are checked while the cabinet is open.
If the leak is a simple drip, the approach is the same as leaking faucet repair. If the faucet is old, cracked or discontinued, kitchen faucet replacement may be the better call. If flow is weak at more than one tap, read low water pressure at the faucet.
Call for a quote on faucet repair for your kitchen.
How it works
- 1
Identify the faucet
Brand and model found so the right parts are used.
- 2
Diagnose
Hose, diverter, cartridge or aerator: the actual fault confirmed.
- 3
Repair
Failed parts replaced; aerator and spray head cleaned.
- 4
Check under the sink
Supply lines, valves and hose connections tested.