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 repair one.
Mechanically speaking, there are basically two types of kitchen sink faucets:
- Washer-type faucets (also called compression taps)
- Faucets without washing machine
Today, you will learn how to repair a leaky kitchen faucet that has a washing machine. Washer-style faucets come with a rubber washer that seals against the valve seat. When the rubber washer becomes hard or wears out, or the seat itself wears out, this can often cause the faucet to leak. You can tighten the faucet, which can slow or even stop the leak, but it can also cause internal damage that can result in having to buy a new kitchen sink faucet.
Fix Your Leaky Faucet in Six Simple Steps
- Turn off your water supply
- Disassemble your kitchen sink faucet
- Check the kitchen faucet parts
- Replace worn faucet parts if necessary
- Replace the washer seat if necessary
- Reinstall the kitchen faucet
To repair your leaky faucet, the first step is cut off your water supply. First, look to see if there is a shutoff valve under the appliance, if it isn’t there, you can always shut off the hot water supply directly to your water heater.
Okay, once the water supply is turned off, you’ll want Disassemble the 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’ll need to remove the lid first, and you can do this by screwing it on or prying it off with a butter knife. If necessary, you can use tweezers to remove the faucet covers … if you use this method, you can protect them with electrical tape or even cloth so as not to damage the finish.
When you lift the handle, you will be able to unscrew the packing nut and this will expose the rest of the kitchen faucet. You will need to make sure you remove the stem from the faucet by turning it in the “on” direction, or you risk stripping the threads.
Okay, now that your faucet is broken, it’s time to Examine the faucet parts in your kitchen. A compression kitchen faucet (washing machine type) has the parts that fall out:
- Cap
- Handle screw
- Sort out
- Stem nut
- Packing nut
- Mother
- Packing nut
- Threads
- Seat washer
- Washer screw
- Valve seat
- Tap bodysuit
Begin 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 leaking faucet can be the washing machine. You’ll find the washer at the bottom end of the stem. It is usually held in place by a brass screw. If the washer is completely crushed or has a notch, 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 washer seat while the kitchen faucet breaks. This is done with a seat adjustment tool. Sometimes the leakage problem is due to a damaged washer seat; If this is the case, it will go through the washers more frequently. Sometimes the seat of a washing machine unscrews. It can be possible replace washer seat if your finding is the cause.
To find out if you have the type of valve seat / washer that can be replaced, look at the hole to see if it is square or hexagonal or if it has a hole in the center with a slot for a screwdriver. If the washer seat only has a round hole in the center and there are no grooves, you will not be able to replace it.
If you need to replace your washer seat to prevent the faucet from leaking after replacing other parts … and you don’t have the type that can be replaced, then it may be time to buy a new kitchen faucet.
After you have finished following the steps above, reinstall the faucet in the reverse order you removed it. Congratulations, you now know how to fix a leaking washing machine kitchen faucet. This will save you hundreds of dollars that you may have spent hiring a plumber.
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