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 equally overwhelming and confusing if you need one repaired.

Mechanically speaking, there are basically two types of kitchen sink faucets:

• Washer-type faucets (also called compression)
• Faucets without washing machine

Today you will learn how to fix a leaky kitchen faucet with a washer. Washer-type faucets come with a rubber washer that seals against the valve seat. When the rubber washer hardens or wears down, or the seat itself wears down, this can often cause the faucet to leak. You can squeeze the faucet, which can slow down or even stop the leak, but it can also cause internal damage that may require you to buy a new faucet for your kitchen sink.

Fix your leaky faucet in six easy steps

1. Shut off your water supply
2. Remove your kitchen sink faucet
3. Examine the parts of the kitchen faucet
4. Replace worn faucet parts if necessary
5. Replace washer seat if necessary
6. Reinstall kitchen faucet

To fix your leaky faucet, the first step is shut off your water supply. First look to see if there is a shut off valve under the fixture, if there isn’t then you can always turn off the hot water supply directly to your water heater.

Well, once your water supply is shut off, you’ll want take apart your 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 will need to remove the lid first and you can do this by screwing it on or gently prying it off with a butter knife. If necessary, you can use pliers 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’ll want to make sure you remove the faucet stem by turning it in the “on” direction, or you’ll risk stripping the threads.

Ok, now that you have the faucet smashed, it’s time to check the parts of your kitchen faucet. A compression (washer type) kitchen faucet has the falling parts:

• layer
• handle screw
• Solve
• stem nut
• packing nuts
• stem
• packing nuts
• Threads
• seat washer
• washer-screw
• valve seat
• griffin monkey

Start by examining the stem to make sure the threads aren’t badly worn or eroded. (you may need to replace the stem if the threads are worn)

Sometimes the cause of a leaky faucet can be the washing machine. You will find the washer at the bottom end of the stem. It is usually held in place with a brass screw. If the washer is completely flattened or has an indentation, it will need to be replaced..

The washing machine seat is the next piece to examine. It’s hard to tell if it’s worn just by looking at it. It is a good idea rectify the washing machine seat while your kitchen faucet is smashed. This is done with a seat preparation tool. Sometimes the leak problem is due to a damaged washer seat; if this is the case, it will go through the washers more often. Sometimes the seat of a washer unscrews. It can be possible replace washer seat if your finding this is the cause.

To find out if you have the type of valve washer/seat that can be replaced, look at the hole to see if it is square or hex or a hole in the center with a slot for a screwdriver. If your washer seat only has a round hole in the center and no slots, then you won’t be able to replace it.

If you need to replace the washer seat to prevent the faucet from leaking after replacing other parts…and you don’t have the kind that can be replaced, then it may be time to buy a new kitchen faucet.

Once you’ve followed the steps above, reinstall the faucet in the reverse order you took it apart. Congratulations, you now know how to fix a leaky kitchen washer faucet. This will save you hundreds of dollars that you may have spent hiring a plumber.