Kitchen faucets with pull out sprayers are highly versatile, offering a whole extra level of flexibility for washing, rinsing, and any other task that you need to do. However, as with anything with extra moving parts, they're also susceptible to wear and tear than regular faucets.
A leaking kitchen faucet can be a real annoyance and waste of water- not to mention it can also lead to further damage over time. If you're weighing out the pros and cons of installing a pull out kitchen faucet or looking for the solutions to repair an already broken one, read on.
Fixing a pull out kitchen faucet is not as difficult as you might think. This article will walk you through the most common causes of kitchen faucet sprayer leaks and the easiest ways to fix them.
The Pull Out Kitchen Sink Sprayer Problems and How to Fix Them
Most pull out spray kitchen faucet problems revolve around the kitchen faucet's four components, including the pull out sprayer wand, the hollow faucet spout, the chrome pull out hose, and the flexible faucet hose. Regardless of where the leak comes from, you should know what to expect and how to handle the problems when they come.
Here are some of the most common pull out spray kitchen faucet problems and kitchen faucet sprayer repair solutions:
Hose Doesn't Retract Properly
Over time, the chrome pull out hose can become loose and no longer retract into the faucet spout. This often happens because the retaining clip secures the hose to the faucet spout and wears out. Mostly, when the pull out sprayer hose fails to retract, you'll normally have to push it back manually, a process that's always tiresome and unnatural.
Pull out hoses are designed with an extra weight attached to them that causes them to retract due to gravity. When the sprayer hose fails to retract, it could be that this weight has fallen off and needs to be checked.
How to Repair a Non-Retractable Pull Out Kitchen Faucet Sprayer
Once you've noticed a non-retractable sprayer hose, check out under the sink to find out if the hose is still attached to the faucet. If it's detached, you can easily reposition it and screw it back on.
If you notice your faucet's spray hose or wright is tangled to the water pipe valve, you can solve this by moving the valve up and down to entangle the spray hose. Doing this can help your faucet to start retracting. If you notice your faucet weight isn't perfect in place, you can adjust or add weight to the faucet using a screwdriver.
A Clogged Diverter Valve
The diverter valve is the part that directs the water from the main faucet to the sprayer when you activate it. With time, this part can become dirty or clogged with mineral deposits, leading to lower water pressure or other issues.
Anytime you turn on your faucet, the hot or cold water supply lines flow into the sprayer hose and continue to flow into the faucet, where the diverter channels it to the sprayer head. When you continually use your faucet, the diverter valve attracts mineral deposits and becomes dirty or clogged, making it dysfunctional. Try to fix the diverter yourself to stop the clog.
How to Fix a Clogged Diverter Valve
Begin by switching off the water valves before unscrewing the water handle screw using a flathead screwdriver. After that, remove the handle and expose the faucet's cap by turning the cap in an anticlockwise direction. Next, remove the spout by moving it back and forth until it loosens up and comes off.
Check the front end of the faucet's stem to locate the diverter and remove it so that you can clean away the clogged dirt particles using vinegar. You can then return the diverter to its position in the kitchen faucet after cleaning and drying it. Use the same order to remove other parts of the faucet, then return them one after the other and close the faucet tightly using the flat head screwdriver.
Low Water Pressure
If your kitchen sink faucet has low water pressure, it is most likely due to a clogged aerator caused by mineral deposits in your sprayer's head. This condition can become worse if you're using hard water in your kitchen sink.
How to Fix Low Water Pressure
Fixing a low water pressure is all about cleaning the aerator. Remove the aerator from the end of the main spout by unthreading it in a clockwise direction using your hands. If the aerator is stuck and giving you a hard time turning with your bare hands, use a pair of pliers to open it.
Be careful not to dent its surface with a strong grip of the pliers. You can wrap masking tape on the plier's jaws to reduce the effect of the grip. With the faucet spout open, you can check if any aerator parts have become loose and require replacement.
Pry out any parts that are stuck inside the spout using a screwdriver, then clean out any remaining debris and deposits from inside the spout. Take apart each part of your aerator using a paperclip, toothpick, or any other sizeable pointy object. Clear off large pieces of sediments stuck in the holes of the aerator.
Clean the parts and dip them into the vinegar or use a damp cloth dipped in vinegar to clean them. This helps to dissolve all the mineral deposits. Conclude by reassembling and reattaching the aerator to the spout by turning it anticlockwise.
A Leaking Spray Head
A leaking spray head is one of the most common issues that plague kitchen sink faucets. A leaky spray head is only solved by replacing it. You need to get a new spray head and perfectly fit it in place you continue using your faucet.
The Solution to a Leaking Spray Head
First, you'll need a flathead screwdriver, a small towel, and a replacement spray head. Start by turning off the water supply to the faucet. If there are shut off valves beneath the sink, use those to shut off the water supply.
Once your water is off, unscrew the old spray head using your flathead screwdriver to expose the c clip and take it off. With the old c clip out, go ahead and attach your new spry head. Attach the new c clip, then follow up with a washer.
Once you've installed your new spray head, ensure you occasionally unscrew it to clean off the dirt that usually collects on the sprayer head. This way, you'll be able to optimize its performance and minimize the chances of premature leaks.
Sticking Water Handle
This is usually an indication that the valve seats are dirty or corroded and need to be replaced. Wear and tear are also other contributing factors to this problem. If the sticking is due to wear and tear, then you may need to replace the entire handle, and if it's due to the dirt buildup, then all you need is to clean it up, and the handle will get back to functional shape.
How to Fix a Sticking Water Handle
Turn off the water flow before you start the process. Check around the faucet handle to locate the button. After locating the button, use a flat head screwdriver for popping it out. Ensure you take extra care while popping out so that it doesn't break.
If it does break, don't hesitate to order a replacement online and fit it. Remove the screw inside the button to loosen the faucet handle. After pulling it off, you can either replace it with a new one or clean it to get rid of the dirt clogs.
A Leaking Pull Out Hose
The hose is usually the problem when it comes to a dripping pull-out sprayer. Fortunately, this is one of the easiest things to fix because all you have to do is screw on a replacement hose. You can find them easily online or in hardware stores near you.
So, the best option is to buy a new hose and connect it afresh instead of buying a new faucet unit. A leaking pull out hose can make your kitchen sink messy and therefore needs a quick solution.
The Solution to a Leaking Pull Out Hose
To replace the hose, start by turning off the water beneath the sink. Next, unscrew the weight of the hose beneath the sink. Then, disconnect the water supply to completely do away with water flowing into the hose as you work on it.
If your faucet has plastic weights under the sink, then go ahead and release them. Don't remove them by disconnecting the water supply as you do with other types of weights. Once the hose is free, pull the hose out through the faucet spout. Slide your replacement hose down and into the spout, which should go in easily.
If the assembly has a plastic weight, slide them back into position before attaching the hose to the water supply. After that, attach your hose to the water supply using the same process you used while removing it. Only do it in the reverse direction. Once your hose is screwed into place, screw back the screw on weights, then turn on the water and check your handiwork.
Doesn't Sit Snuggly in the cradle
Another problem to expect with your faucets is about spout or body that doesn't fit perfectly on the cradle may due to wear and tear. Sometimes, it's all about the type of kitchen faucet you choose to buy. With cheaper models, expect to see some slight gaps in between the spout and its cradle.
However, opting for the best kitchen faucet with a sprayer will avoid this problem most of the time and extend the life of your faucet.
How to Fix a Faucet Spout and Body Not Sitting Perfectly on the Cradle
If you're using a cheaper version of kitchen faucets, it's time to replace them with better quality ones. But, if you want to keep using them for now, here's a quick fix. You can buy a new magnet ring and replace it with the old, powerless one to help your kitchen faucet work perfectly well.
You can do it yourself at home. Simply close the water, unscrew the nozzle, and let lose the hose from the end of the spindle. Once your new magnet is in place, push back the hose up the end of the spindle, screw up the nozzle and turn on the water.
FAQs on How to Fix a Kitchen Faucet Sprayer from Leaking
How to remove the c clip on the kitchen faucets?
To remove the c clip on the kitchen faucets, you need to unscrew the old spray head with your flathead screwdriver. After that, you'll have the c clip exposed, making them easy to remove.
Why is my sink sprayer not working?
Most of the time, when your sink sprayer fails to work, the main culprit is always the diverter. You can always check this by removing the sink sprayer head and turning the water on. If the water flow is weak, then commence getting a new diverter and replace it soon.
Final Thought on How to Fix a Kitchen Faucet Sprayer from Leaking
While it might look like a daunting task to fix a leaking kitchen faucet sprayer, the process is actually quite simple, as long as you have the right tools and know-how. So, the next time your kitchen faucet starts leaking, don't hesitate to try out these steps. Who knows, you might just be able to fix it on your own.
