Submit our quick form and get quotes now!
5 min read
5 min read
KitchenHow to Identify a Problem with Your Kitchen Faucet
Although modern kitchen faucets are well-built and designed, they aren’t invincible, so don’t be alarmed when a fault occurs.
After years of water flowing through its body, your faucet and its parts will obviously begin to wear. However, issues with your kitchen faucet will be minor plumbing emergencies that you can surely take care of on your own.
With this in mind, it is important for homeowners to know the signs of a problematic faucet. Remember, if you’re good with small repairs you will be able to tackle some common issues with this hardware. However, if the plumbing job is bigger, it is worth contacting a professional.
Regardless of whether you can complete the repair yourself, there are a few key ways to identify issues and act so you can keep your faucet looking and running as good as new.
If you’re finding that your kitchen faucet won’t stop running even after you’ve turned the hot and cold off, then this could point to a potential problem. Not only is the sound of a dripping faucet annoying, it will send your water bill up a few dollars.
As water enters your home, it is pressurized to move through the taps. When the tap is off, washers inside the pipes are working to prevent more water from working its way out. Over time, washers wear and can become stiff, torn or loose.
This is what causes water to drip from the faucet. This is a minor repair job that any homeowner can easily fix. Check out our step-by-step guide to fixing your leaky kitchen faucet. If you notice that the valve seat has become worn or corroded, the repair job will be more involved and should be left up to a professional plumber.
Also, worth noting is that not all sinks have washers, and some ceramic taps use durable ceramic plates to seal in water. This repair job is complex and should be completed by a professional.
When you turn on your tap and find the water refusing to make waves, this is because you have low water pressure. The water that runs through the pipes of your home carries dissolved minerals that deposit themselves on metal surfaces. Over time, these mineral deposits collect on inner surfaces, including your kitchen faucet. Luckily, many kitchen faucets have aerators that unscrew from the tip. These can be cleaned by soaking the piece overnight in a vinegar solution, which will work to dissolve the deposits that have settled.
If low water pressure continues after you’ve cleaned this piece, the issue may be more complex. This could point to a leaky pipe which could become an emergency plumbing job if left too long. In more serious cases, this could be a problem with your water supply. If you find that you are experiencing low water pressure in other areas of the home or if you find that there is a sudden reduction in water pressure with no known cause, it is recommended that you call a plumber.
If your kitchen faucet is showing signs of rust on the outside, chances are it has formed on the inside as well. If this is something that occurs, it is important for you to be extra careful. Rust forming inside your faucet can greatly affect the quality of your tap water. Other forms of wear that you may notice include difficulty turning or moving levers, spray heads or the faucet itself. In all scenarios, it’s probably best if you invest in a new faucet, as there is little to be done when it comes to the general wear and tear of this appliance.
For more details on your kitchen plumbing, check out this article: Everything you need to know about kitchen plumbing.
If you’re turning on your faucet to fill up that kettle and you find that it is making a high-pitched sound, then chances are that your rubber washers have worn down. Rubber washers age and harden over time, making a particularly irritating noise when faucet handles are turned. This can be remedied by replacing washers with an inexpensive faucet repair kit, or if you’ve been considering an update for a while, this is the time to invest in a new model.
Another common problem is squeaking handles, this points to the threads of the handle stem becoming worn. This can be repaired by removing the faucet handle and coating the threads of the handle stream with plumber’s grease. This will quiet down that noisy faucet and put your mind at ease.
Your faucet can sometimes also send water in your direction. Your faucet’s aerator may be affected by lime buildup, causing the jet to deflect in all directions. An aerator has a fine mesh screen to change the flow.
However, a lime buildup can occur! Fortunately, the solution to this problem is simple: you can unscrew the aerator to clean it. If it is attached directly to the faucet without being able to remove it, put vinegar in a jar and wrap it around the faucet with plastic wrap.
Don't forget to check out our article How to Repair Your Kitchen Faucet to know how to fix your problem.
RenoQuotes.com can help you get quotes for your kitchen renovation project. If you submit your project to us, we’ll put you in contact with top-rated contractors. Fill in the form on the homepage (it only takes a few minutes), and you will get estimates from trusted professionals.
Last modified 2023-11-07
The latest industry news, interviews, technologies, and resources.
N/A • 07 Nov 2023
Our homes are becoming intelligent. Each day, we interact with tiny little devices, such as our phones and computers, that are in place to capture personal data about our interests, wants and needs.
N/A • 07 Nov 2023
In the middle of winter or even the early days of spring, who doesn't enjoy a long, hot shower to warm up before heading out the door? Even though a hot shower feels great, unfortunately, your bathroom doesn't share the sentiment.
Karine Dutemple • 07 Nov 2023
Thinking of renovating your old basement soon? If you already have a fairly precise idea of the main objective of this project, it is possible that some questions still remain.
RenoQuotes.com • 07 Nov 2023
Are you looking to design a cozy and relaxing lounge area in your backyard to spend quality time with your family? Even though summer is coming to an end, nothing’s keeping you from planning ahead for next summer! Here are a few ideas to help you design your landscaping project accordingly.
Léa Plourde-Archer • 07 Nov 2023
Epoxy is a popular floor covering material for garages, department stores and warehouses. Although this product is known for being durable and resistant to daily wear-and-tear, epoxy must be kept clean and maintained on a regular basis in order to keep its smooth and homogenous appearance.