Fixing Those Leaking Kitchen Faucets
After a few years of use, you may notice your kitchen faucet may experience a leak. You don’t have to panic and call the plumber. With the proper tools and parts you can make the repair yourself. How to fix a leaking faucet will take you step by step through the process in fixing a leaking Delta single spout kitchen faucet. It’s highly recommended that you get Delta replacement parts.
In the shopping section below, there are Delta kits and parts you can order for kitchen parts.
Single Kitchen Faucet Repair Steps
Just follow the steps below for repairing a leak in the single faucet assembly.
Please note: It’s best to replace all the old parts with the new ones when repairing a leak. Be sure to have the proper parts or parts kit on hand.
Step 1. Be sure you have all the parts on hand before proceeding to fix the leaky faucet. You can check our parts section below. You may want to look at the video below to become familiar with all the steps that are needed in repairing the leaking faucet.
Step 2. Be sure to have the proper tools on hand before you begin the project to replace the leaky faucet old parts. Be sure to have them on hand before proceeding to Step 3.
Tools Needed:
- 1/8” hex wrench
- large adjustable wrench
- ¼” flat head screwdriver
- plumbers grease and parts.
Step 3. Turn off the water supply to the kitchen sink. This is usually found under the sink as you will see both cold and hot water valves. Turn both of them to the off position.
Note: If you don’t have any turn off valves under the sink, you will need to turn off the water supply coming into the home or apartment. To ensure the water is off, turn the kitchen handle to the on position. Be sure to plug up the drain or drains in the sink so parts won’t go down the drain as you remove them from the faucet.
Step 4. Use the hex wrench that came with the Parts Kit to loosen the set screw in the handle of the Delta faucet. If one was not provided, use a 1/8 inch hex wrench. Completely remove the set screw and place it where it won’t get lost. Use a bowl for all the parts being removed from the faucet. Remove the handle and set it aside for use later.
Step 5. Use an adjustable wrench to remove the cap assembly. Avoid using any pliers with sharp teeth as they will scratch the surface of the cap assembly. Set aside in parts bowl.
Step 6. Next, remove the cam assembly. You will need to use a flat-head screwdriver for this step. Set aside cam assembly in parts bowl.
Step 7. Remove the ball assembly. Inspect the ball assembly for wear. If you see any, the entire ball assembly will need to be replaced. Note: Be sure to order the parts kit that includes the ball. It’s best to replace the old with a new one.
Step 8. Remove the spout assembly from the valve body. Set aside.
Step 9. Remove the seats and springs from the valve body. There will be two of them. Using a small narrow screwdriver remove both sets of seats and springs. Place them in the bowl for later use. Note: Please notice how the spring goes into the seat. This is important for replacing them back into the valve body assembly later.
Step 10. Using any small tool, remove any corrosion or material to clean the inside of valve body assembly. Clean the outside as well.
Step 11. Remove the spout O-Ring from the bottom of the spout. It is probably white in color. Set aside in parts bowl.
Step 12. Remove the upper O-Ring from the valve body. Then remove the lower O-Ring. A small screwdriver or dental pick type tool will do the job nicely.
Step 13. Clean any corrosion found from the spout supply hole and clean the valve body.
Step 14. Install a new lower O-Ring from the Parts Kit on the valve body.
Step 15. Install a new upper O-Ring from the Parts Kit on the valve body.
Step 16. Using plumbers grease, put a little grease all around on the rubber of both the upper and lower O-Rings.
Step 17. Re-install the seats and springs noting that the small spring side fits into the seat. Place them on a quarter inch screwdriver to allow the spring and seat to slide down the screwdriver and into the hole in the valve body. Push spring and seat into the valve body. You should hear a little click when it’s installed properly. Do the same for the second seat and spring following the same procedure. Put a little plumbers grease on the rubber of each seat.
Step 18. Install the new ball assembly from the Parts Kit. Place some plumbers grease in the area you noticed that was warn in step 7. There is a slot on the ball. Be sure it fits into the nub in the valve assembly.
Step 19. Install the new cam assembly from the Parts Kit. Make sure when installing the new cam assembly that the nub on the assembly goes into the notch on the valve body. Push in the cam assembly so it’s flush with the notch.
Step 20. Clean the inside of the spout that was removed in step 8. Apply a little plumbers grease on the inside of the spout where the O-Rings hit the spout. Place some plumbers grease on the bottom lip of the spout. Replace the spout O-Ring in the lip. Put a little plumbers grease over the spout O-Ring.
Step 21. Install the spout assembly over the valve body.
Step 22. Install the cap assembly. Use an adjustable wrench to tighten cap after hand tightening. Be sure it’s snug, but don’t over tighten.
Step 23. Place some plumbers grease in the inside of the handle where the ball stem attaches. Install the handle.
Step 24. Apply plumbers grease to the threads of the set screw. Tighten the set screw into the handle using the hex wrench that came with the Parts Kit. If not included, use a 1/8 inch hex wrench.
Step 25. Remove the aerator using your fingers. If too tight, use the adjustable wrench. Unscrew the aerator off and inspect it for any sediment inside it.
Step 26. Turn the water back on by opening the hot and cold valves under the sink to the on position, or the water supply coming in the house or apartment.
Step 27. Turn handle on to the hot and cold positions and let the water run awhile. This helps to clean out the line. Also, look for any leaks.
Step 28. Clean the aerator and re-install it. Turn the water on and off and check for leaks.
Step 29. No leaks, congratulations you are finished. Now, the repair is complete and the faucet should work like new.
Note: If you notice any leaks, be sure that you have followed each of the above steps and have re-installed the new parts correctly as shown in the video. Look at the video again to ensure you have properly followed each of the steps exactly.
Fixing a Delta Single Kitchen Faucet Video
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