How to Fix a Leaky Kitchen Faucet with Two Handles the Easy Way

A leaky kitchen faucet can be a nuisance and a waste of water. Not only does it increase your water bill, but it also causes damage to your sink and countertop. Moreover, a leaky faucet can be a sign of a bigger problem with your plumbing system.

Fortunately, fixing a leaky kitchen faucet with two handles is not a difficult task. You don't need to call a plumber or buy a new faucet. You can do it yourself with some basic tools and materials. In this article, we will show you how to fix a leaky kitchen faucet with two handles the easy way.

The easy way to fix a leaky kitchen faucet with two handles is to replace the damaged parts inside the faucet. These parts include the cartridge, the O-rings, and the washers. The cartridge is the part that controls the water flow and temperature. The O-rings are the rubber seals that prevent water from leaking around the cartridge. The washers are the metal discs that seal the water inlet and outlet.

By replacing these parts, you can restore your faucet to its original condition and stop the leak. The process is simple and straightforward. You just need to follow these steps:

Tools and Materials

Before you start the repair, you need to gather the following tools and materials:

Tools

• Adjustable wrench
• Screwdriver
• Needle-nose pliers
• Flashlight

Materials

• Replacement cartridge
• Replacement O-rings
• Replacement washers
• Silicone grease

You can find these materials at your local hardware store or online. Make sure you buy the right size and type of cartridge, O-rings, and washers for your faucet model. You can check the manufacturer's website or the faucet manual for the specifications.

Preparing for the Repair

Before you begin the repair, you need to prepare the faucet and the work area. Here are the steps to follow:

Turning off the Water Supply

The first step is to turn off the water supply to the faucet. You can do this by locating the shut-off valves under the sink. There should be two valves, one for the hot water and one for the cold water. Turn both valves clockwise until they stop.

If you can't find the shut-off valves under the sink, you can turn off the main water supply to the house. This is usually located in the basement or outside the house. However, this will affect the water supply to all the faucets and appliances in the house, so make sure you notify the other occupants before you do this.

Removing the Faucet Handle

The next step is to remove the faucet handle. This will expose the cartridge and the retaining nut. To remove the faucet handle, you need to unscrew the screw that holds it in place. The screw may be hidden under a decorative cap or a hot/cold indicator. You can pry off the cap or the indicator with a screwdriver or a knife.

Once you remove the cap or the indicator, you will see the screw. Use a screwdriver to loosen the screw and pull off the handle. You may need to wiggle the handle a bit to loosen it. Repeat the same process for the other handle.

Removing the Retaining Nut

The last step in preparing for the repair is to remove the retaining nut. This is the metal ring that secures the cartridge to the faucet body. To remove the retaining nut, you need to use an adjustable wrench. Place the wrench around the nut and turn it counterclockwise. You may need to apply some force to break the seal. Once the nut is loose, you can unscrew it by hand and set it aside. Repeat the same process for the other nut.

Identifying the Problem

Now that you have removed the faucet handle and the retaining nut, you can see the cartridge, the O-rings, and the washers. These are the parts that are most likely to cause the leak. You need to inspect them carefully and identify the problem.

Inspecting the Cartridge

The cartridge is the part that controls the water flow and temperature. It has a stem that moves up and down and a disc that rotates left and right. The stem and the disc have holes that align with the water inlet and outlet. When you turn the handle, you change the position of the stem and the disc, which changes the water flow and temperature.

To inspect the cartridge, you need to pull it out of the faucet body. You can do this by gripping the stem with needle-nose pliers and pulling it straight up. You may need to twist the stem a bit to loosen it. Be careful not to damage the stem or the disc.

Once you pull out the cartridge, you need to examine it for any signs of wear and tear. Look for cracks, chips, corrosion, or dirt on the stem and the disc. Also, check the holes for any blockage or debris. If the cartridge is damaged or dirty, you need to replace it with a new one.

Inspecting the O-rings

The O-rings are the rubber seals that prevent water from leaking around the cartridge. They are located on the stem and on the faucet body. There are usually two O-rings on the stem and two O-rings on the faucet body. To inspect the O-rings, you need to slide them off the stem and the faucet body. You can use a screwdriver or a knife to pry them off.

Once you remove the O-rings, you need to examine them for any signs of wear and tear. Look for cuts, cracks, stretching, or flattening on the O-rings. Also, check for any hardening or brittleness of the rubber. If the O-rings are damaged or worn out, you need to replace them with new ones.

Inspecting the Washers

The washers are the metal discs that seal the water inlet and outlet. They are located on the bottom of the cartridge and on the faucet body. There are usually two washers on the cartridge and two washers on the faucet body. To inspect the washers, you need to remove them from the cartridge and the faucet body. You can use a screwdriver or a knife to pry them off.

Once you remove the washers, you need to examine them for any signs of wear and tear. Look for dents, scratches, corrosion, or warping on the washers. Also, check for any misalignment or looseness of the washers. If the washers are damaged or worn out, you need to replace them with new ones.

Replacing the Damaged Parts

After you have identified the problem, you need to replace the damaged parts with new ones. Here are the steps to follow:

Removing the Old Cartridge

If the cartridge is damaged or dirty, you need to replace it with a new one. To remove the old cartridge, you need to pull it out of the faucet body. You can do this by gripping the stem with needle-nose pliers and pulling it straight up. You may need to twist the stem a bit to loosen it. Be careful not to damage the stem or the disc.

Once you pull out the old cartridge, you need to discard it properly. Do not reuse or recycle the old cartridge, as it may contain harmful substances or bacteria.

Installing the New Cartridge

To install the new cartridge, you need to insert it into the faucet body. You can do this by aligning the stem and the disc with the water inlet and outlet. Make sure the holes on the stem and the disc match the holes on the faucet body. You may need to rotate the stem or the disc to find the right position.

Once you insert the new cartridge, you need to push it down firmly until it snaps into place. You may need to use needle-nose pliers to push it down. Be careful not to damage the stem or the disc.

Replacing the O-rings

If the O-rings are damaged or worn out, you need to replace them with new ones. To replace the O-rings, you need to slide them onto the stem and the faucet body. You can do this by stretching the O-rings over the stem and the faucet body. Make sure the O-rings fit snugly and securely on the stem and the faucet body. You may need to use a screwdriver or a knife to slide them on.

Before you slide the new O-rings on, you need to apply some silicone grease on them. This will help the O-rings seal better and last longer. You can find silicone grease at your local hardware store or online. Do not use any other type of grease or lubricant, as it may damage the O-rings or the faucet.

Replacing the Washers

If the washers are damaged or worn out, you need to replace them with new ones. To replace the washers, you need to place them on the bottom of the cartridge and on the faucet body. You can do this by aligning the washers with the water inlet and outlet. Make sure the washers fit snugly and securely on the cartridge and the faucet body. You may need to use a screwdriver or a knife to place them on.

Reassembling the Faucet

After you have replaced the damaged parts, you need to reassemble the faucet. Here are the steps to follow:

Reinstalling the Cartridge

To reinstall the cartridge, you need to screw the retaining nut back on. You can do this by placing the nut over the cartridge and turning it clockwise. You may need to use an adjustable wrench to tighten the nut. Be careful not to overtighten the nut, as it may damage the cartridge or the faucet.

Reinstalling the Faucet Handle

To reinstall the faucet handle, you need to screw the screw back on. You can do this by placing the handle over the cartridge and aligning the screw hole. Use a screwdriver to tighten the screw. Be careful not to overtighten the screw, as it may damage the handle or the cartridge.

After you screw the screw back on, you need to replace the cap or the indicator. You can do this by snapping the cap or the indicator over the screw. Make sure the cap or the indicator fits snugly and securely on the handle. Repeat the same process for the other handle.

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Testing the Faucet

After you have reassembled the faucet, you need to test the faucet. Here are the steps to follow:

Turning on the Water Supply

The first step is to turn on the water supply to the faucet. You can do this by locating the shut-off valves under the sink. There should be two valves, one for the hot water and one for the cold water. Turn both valves counterclockwise until they stop.

If you turned off the main water supply to the house, you need to turn it back on. This is usually located in the basement or outside the house. However, this will affect the water pressure to all the faucets and appliances in the house, so make sure you open the faucets slowly and let the air out of the pipes.

Checking for Leaks

The last step is to check for leaks. You can do this by turning on the faucet and observing the water flow and temperature. Make sure the faucet works properly and does not drip or leak. Also, check under the sink and around the faucet for any signs of water leakage. If you see any leaks, you need to tighten the nuts or the screws or replace the parts again.

Tips and Tricks

To make the repair easier and prevent future leaks, here are some tips and tricks to follow:

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Do not use too much force when removing or installing the parts, as you may damage them or the faucet.
• Do not use the wrong size or type of parts, as they may not fit or seal properly.
• Do not use any other type of grease or lubricant, as they may damage the parts or the faucet.
• Do not forget to turn off the water supply before you start the repair, as you may cause a flood or a water damage.

Additional Tips to Make the Process Easier

• Take a picture of the faucet before you disassemble it, so you can remember how it looks and how the parts go together.
• Label the parts and the screws as you remove them, so you can keep track of them and avoid mixing them up.
• Clean the parts and the faucet with a cloth or a brush before you install them, so you can remove any dirt or debris that may cause leaks or blockages.
• Replace the parts in pairs, so you can ensure the symmetry and the balance of the faucet.

Conclusion

Fixing a leaky kitchen faucet with two handles is not a hard task. You can do it yourself with some basic tools and materials. You just need to follow these steps:

• Turn off the water supply
• Remove the faucet handle
• Remove the retaining nut
• Inspect the cartridge, the O-rings, and the washers
• Replace the damaged parts
• Reinstall the cartridge
• Reinstall the faucet handle
• Turn on the water supply
• Check for leaks

By following these steps, you can fix your leaky faucet and save water and money. You can also prevent further damage to your sink and countertop. Moreover, you can improve the appearance and the performance of your faucet.

Fixing a leaky kitchen faucet with two handles is an easy way to maintain your faucet and your plumbing system. It is also a satisfying and rewarding DIY project. You can do it in less than an hour and with minimal cost. You don't need to be a plumber or a handyman to do it. You just need to be willing and able to follow the instructions.

We hope this article has helped you fix your leaky kitchen faucet with two handles the easy way. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below. We would love to hear from you. Thank you for reading and happy fixing!