Calling a plumber every time your kitchen faucet fails can be quite irritating at times. Not all faucet issues are serious, and if you know how to deal with them, it’ll be easier for you to stay safe from these problems and make quick decisions if anything ever happens.
In this guide, we’ll talk about some common problems that can happen with a kitchen faucet. You’ll know what’s the root of the specific problem and how to go about solving it.
What Are the Common Problems to Face with Your Kitchen Faucets?
Some of the common problem and their reasons, as well as solutions, are –
Inflexible Water Handle
Dirt can accumulate in the metal parts of the handle and will block the waterline, making the water nozzle get an uneven water pressure. The solution is simply to clean the handle regularly.
Blocked Valve
The diverter valve will get damaged from time to time, and as a result, the water pressure rates will drop. Since water pressure drop can happen for several reasons, you should carefully check for any damages to the valve.
If you see any leakage in the valve or see the sprayer having less water pressure than the tubes, it’s likely that the diverter valve is damaged. This is a very small part and should be replaced if this issue happens.
Leaky Nozzle
With high-pressure water running inside for an extended period of time, the bond between the nozzle handle and the tubing can weaken, resulting in a leaky water sprayer head. In cases like this, you should replace the sprayer.
Leaky Hose
Hose tubes, like nozzles, can get worn out with time. But replacing them is easy and cheap. Turn off the sink water valve and remove the damaged hose out by unplugging it from the nozzle head and main sink water valve.
Now connect the new hose with the kitchen water line and pull it through the sink tubing. Connect the other end of the hose with the nozzle and turn the water valve on. Let some water pass to check for any leaks in the piping.
If there’s any leakage visible, tighten the joints with a sink wrench. Regular wrenches are kind of hard to work with sink piping, but a sink wrench is designed in a way to get into hard-to-reach areas easily.
Loose Cradle
Cradles get worn out from the use and, at some point, won’t be able to hold the nozzle in place. If this happens, you have to replace it with a new one. Cheaper nozzles aren’t going to last long. It’s a good idea to get a quality nozzle that can hold its shape for an extended period of time.
Water Pressure
Minerals from the water can and will block the aerator nozzle. This results in a slow, shallow stream of water. If the minerals aren’t taken well care of while time remains, it will accumulate to the point that you won’t be able to fix the pipe without replacing or opening the whole tubing up.
Once you see a drop in water pressure, you can simply apply any acidic liquid. Vinegar, lemon juice can work just fine for this task. Take a brush and apply the acidic water to the minerals blocking the line. Doing this regularly will ensure the pipes and aerator is free from mineral-related damages.
Popping Out Hose
Sometimes the hose weight can fall down from overuse, and as a result, the faucet hose won’t get inside completely. Check the piping to see if the weight is in place.
Also, if a hose gets too old, then it might not be able to stay in shape, even if you use a weight with it. In that case, replacement is a good option.
One Careful Thought
Although removing and setting up a new kitchen faucet seems quite adventurous and a good way to spend time, this is not for everyone and for every faucet type.
If you’re going to work with a simple kitchen faucet and just want to get the job done on your own without wasting money on a professional or waiting for some experienced one to do it for you, it’s not a bad idea. But not all faucets are simple.
There are faucets that are not so easy to install. Varieties, such as wall faucets and some fancy ones, require careful drilling and pipe fitting. It’s easy for an inexperienced person to make some mistakes along the way and again spend money for professional work as well as recover the damage done.
So, unless you’re super confident about working with installing faucets and piping, maybe leaving it to a professional is the best idea. In that way, you can avoid the common problems mentioned in this guide as well as stay safe from installation dangers.
Final Words
Now you know what the common issues are with a kitchen faucet. Knowing the reasons behind the problems and how to deal with solving these will enable you to make quick decisions and stop depending on professionals less.