Fix a Kitchen Faucet Leaking from the Base

A steady drip-drip-drip from the base of your kitchen faucet can drive anyone crazy. What starts as an occasional drip can soon turn into a constant stream, wasting water and damaging your sink or cabinets. A leaky faucet base can be caused by a variety of issues, from worn washers and gaskets to loose mounting nuts. With some basic tools and a little know-how, you can likely fix that leaky faucet yourself without having to call a plumber.

We'll also cover when it makes sense to call in a professional plumber versus attempting repairs on your own.

What Causes a Kitchen Faucet to Leak from the Base

Before trying to fix a leaky kitchen faucet base, it helps to understand what's causing water to drip out in the first place. There are several common culprits:

• Worn washers or O-rings: The washers and O-rings provide a water tight seal between the stationary and moving parts of the faucet. Over time, these rubber pieces wear out, allowing water to leak through.
• Damaged seat/cartridge: Most modern faucets use cartridge valves that regulate water flow and temperature. Damage to the valve seat or cartridge itself can lead to leaks.
• Loose mounting nuts: The nuts that secure the faucet base to the sink can gradually loosen over time, particularly with frequent use, creating gaps that allow water to leak out.
• Clogged/damaged aerator: Small pieces of sediment and mineral deposits can get lodged in the faucet aerator, affecting water flow. This buildup causes drips near the base.
• Worn pipes/hoses: Connecting pipes and supply lines that have worn out gaskets or cracks will leak from the points of connection at the base.

If you notice water dripping from the base of your kitchen faucet, the first step is confirming the exact location. Pay attention to whether it's leaking from the faucet base itself, the supply lines below, or the point where the faucet meets the sink.

How to Diagnose and Address a Kitchen Faucet Base Leak

Once you've identified the exact spot the dripping water is coming from, diagnosing the cause requires a closer inspection. Here is the basic process:

1. Shut Off Water Supply Lines

Before taking anything apart, locate the shutoff valves for the hot and cold supply lines under the sink and turn them both off. This prevents water from spraying out when you disassemble the leaky faucet base.

2. Inspect Connection Points

With the water off, check where the faucet base meets the sink as well as the hot/cold supply line connections. Look for cracks, loose mounting nuts, or obvious damage. Tightening fittings, replacing worn gaskets, or reseating the faucet can often fix minor leaks here.

3. Remove Faucet Handle and Examine Interior

Taking off the faucet handle gives access to the interior workings when there's no obvious external leak source. Look for issues like worn washers/O-rings, stuck cartridges, mineral deposits, and damaged valve seats. Replacing specific worn parts often remedies an internal leak.

4. Clean or Replace Aerator

Finally, unscrew the aerator at the tip of the faucet spout. Rinse out any debris. Reassemble and test water flow. If the dripping persists, try replacing the aerator altogether or upgrade to a higher-quality model.

DIY Ways to Fix a Leaky Kitchen Faucet Base

In many cases, fixing a leaky kitchen faucet base is well within the capabilities of a DIY homeowner, as long as you address the specific issue.

Replace Old Rubber Washers and O-Rings

If worn or cracked washers are causing the drips, first shut off the water lines before carefully dismantling the faucet handle and interior components to access the washers. Match new washers up to the old ones when replacing. Use plumber's tape to reseal threads, reassemble the faucet, and gently test water flow.

Tighten Loose Mounting Nuts

For leaks coming from the base connection points, try tightening any loose faucet nuts first. Pliers allow you to tighten hard-to-reach spots under the sink. You may need to remove the faucet temporarily to access areas or replace any worn out putty.

Clear Out Clogged Aerator

To clean out a dirty aerator, unscrew it from the faucet spout using pliers or a basin wrench. Remove any stuck debris and soak the entire piece in vinegar. Use an old toothbrush to scrub out stubborn mineral deposits before rinsing and reattaching.

Replace Internal Cartridge or Valves

Getting to an internal cartridge or valve requires safely shutting off water supply, removing decor pieces, handle, and interior components to access the problem area. Match new replacement valves or cartridges to existing models. Carefully reassemble using plumber's tape on threads.

Calling a Professional Plumber for Faucet Leak Repairs

While many leaky faucet bases can be repaired with basic tools and hardware replacements, there are some instances when it pays to call a professional plumber:

• Leak persists despite DIY efforts: If you've replaced washers, tightened fittings, and cleared the aerator yet water still drips from the base, there may be an issue needing pro-level expertise.
• Faucet needs full replacement: Severe damage requiring replacement of the entire faucet may necessitate hiring plumbing services to ensure proper installation.
• Complex under-sink repairs: Difficult access points that are tough to reach can complicate repairs - a good reason to call a plumber to avoid making things worse.

Plumbers have specialized tools and the experience to properly diagnose and fix problems that stump the average homeowner. Paying for professional services also comes with guarantees and warranties on parts and labor.

The best way to deal with a leaky faucet is to keep it from happening in the first place. You can minimize the chances of developing a leak at the base through these preventative measures:

• Conduct annual faucet inspections: Make it a habit to check under your kitchen sink once a year for early signs of trouble - loose fittings, worn gaskets, mineral deposits, etc.
• Clean faucet aerators: Regularly remove and soak faucet aerators to stop mineral buildup before it can cause drips or leaks.
• Wipe down after use: Quickly drying water spots around the faucet base prevents mineral deposits and corrosion that wear down components.
• Invest in high-quality hardware: Sturdy, drip-free, commercial-style kitchen faucets hold up better against heavy use and last for years.

While most kitchen faucet leaks seem to appear out of nowhere, there are usually several early warning signs. Pay attention for things like loose handles that don't feel right or the need to really crank water flow closed. Catching base leaks early allows for quick repairs. But with vigilance and proper care, you may be able to avoid annoying drips altogether.