Need Help Fixing Kitchen Faucet

Fixing the kitchen faucet. A never-completely-gone task. Kitchen faucets just get so much use that sooner or later, they will leak, move around, or otherwise break down. Entropy is part of life—everything breaks down sometime. If you are handy, you’ve likely fixed a few of these. Most of us aren’t so great at crawling under the sink and getting everything attached. Here are some helpful ideas.

If you are fixing a kitchen faucet, start with the basics. Is it leaking from a handle or from the main faucet? Most handle leaks are gaskets or washers or O rings. If you are feeling handy, you can get the materials and repair those yourself—a simple replacement and you are done.

You want to shut off the water and drain it from the faucet before you begin your repair so you don’t create a mess. Most repair kits and DIY videos can walk you through the process simply and easily.

Remember that faucets with high-end finishes are particularly easy to scratch, so don’t just grab the vice grips to force something that is tight to loosen. Using a cloth under a tool can help you maintain the finish while replacing whatever is damaged or corroded.

Some problems are bigger than most DIYers can manage, so you want to make sure you don’t bite off more than you can chew. Watch the videos, inspect your particular setup, and make a good decision for your time and skills.

Frankly, a simple repair isn’t terribly expensive, but fixing a DIY job gone wrong can be.

Clogs in sinks and even in garbage disposals are pretty easy to repair yourself, as are leaky faucets and clogged toilets. When they get too hard for the usual remedies, save yourself the headache and call the experts. Better safe than sorry.