Kitchen faucets have become streamlined and a bit more complicated over the years, but faucet repair is still fairly Champion Plumbing Cape Coral straightforward. In the past, a plumber only needed to know how to fix a compression spout, but modern versions can have one of three other valve mechanisms that were developed around the middle of the 20th century. The repair procedure for each is different, but none is particularly difficult. In fact, any knowledgeable homeowner with the proper tools and a modicum of plumbing expertise can handle the DIY job.
When you have a leaky faucet that either drips from the spout or spews water from the handle, you can usually trace the problem to the valve. As plumber Mike Diamond points out, the three available types of faucets — not including compression spouts, which aren’t that common anymore — feature either a cartridge, ceramic disk, or ball valve.
If the valve isn’t at fault, the problem is usually due to the rubber gaskets and O-rings. All these parts, including the valve, are replaceable. For most kitchen faucets, they are easy to find.
A malfunctioning faucet can also cause poor water flow. This typically happens because hard-water deposits are blocking the aerator, the water-supply ports inside the valve, or the valve housing. It’s easy to clean the aerator, and you can usually clean the valve, but sometimes, you need to replace part or all of the valve.
A leaky spout can also spray water into the sink cabinet and cause lasting damage. When this happens, the problem is usually caused by a loose connection on the faucet hose or the hoses that connect the spout to the handles or the sprayer. Although it entails working in a cramped space with little light, an under-cabinet leak is usually easy to locate and fix. The following steps and list of supplies will help you proceed with confidence.
