Is your kitchen faucet not working? This happens sometimes. You turn the handle, but nothing comes out, or maybe just a trickle. Why does this happen? Often, the cause is quite simple. It could be a problem with the water flow, a blocked part, or a small issue with a valve. Most times, you can fix it yourself with basic tools. This guide will show you how to find the problem and fix it.
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Finding the Source of the Trouble
When your kitchen faucet stops working, the first thing to do is figure out why. Is it just the kitchen faucet no water, or is water not working anywhere in the house? Is it only cold water, only hot water, or both? Does the water come out slowly (low water pressure kitchen faucet)? Knowing the exact problem helps you know how to fix kitchen faucet issues faster.
Check Other Water Spots
Go to another sink in your house. Try the bathroom sink or a shower. Does water come out there okay?
* If water works fine everywhere else, the problem is likely just with the kitchen faucet or the pipes leading only to it.
* If no water comes out anywhere, the problem is bigger. It could be your main water supply is off. Maybe a pipe outside has a problem. Or maybe your water company is working on the lines. If it’s a whole-house issue, you might need to call your water company or a plumber for bigger fixes. This guide will focus on fixing just the kitchen faucet problem.
Check the Type of Problem
Think about what is happening with the kitchen faucet.
* No water at all: Not a single drop comes out when you turn the handle.
* Low water pressure: Water comes out, but it is very weak. It might just dribble.
* Only cold water works: Hot water does not come out, or it is cold.
* Only hot water works: Cold water does not come out, or it is warm.
* Water leaks: Water drips or runs from the faucet when it is off, or from under the sink. (Leaks are a different problem, but sometimes related to internal parts).
Pinpointing the exact issue makes the troubleshoot kitchen faucet steps easier.
Basic Checks Under the Sink
Before taking anything apart, look under your kitchen sink. This is where the water comes from.
Locate the Kitchen Faucet Shut Off Valve
Most faucets have small valves on the pipes right under the sink. These are the kitchen faucet shut off valve controls.
* Find the pipes coming from the floor or wall up to the bottom of your faucet.
* Each pipe should have a valve on it. One is for cold water. One is for hot water.
* These valves often look like small football shapes with a handle you turn. The handles can be round or oval.
* Sometimes, the handles are flat and turn just a quarter turn to shut off water.
Make Sure Valves Are Open
Check if these valves are fully open.
* Turn the handles counter-clockwise. This opens the valve.
* Sometimes, these valves get bumped or someone closes them partly by accident.
* If a valve is partly closed, it can cause low water pressure kitchen faucet problems.
* If a valve is fully closed, you will get no water from that side (hot or cold). If both are closed, you get no water at all.
* Turn the handles until they stop turning easily. Do not force them too hard.
Check the Water Supply Line Kitchen Faucet Connections
Look at the hoses or pipes running from the shut-off valves up to the faucet. These are the water supply line kitchen faucet parts.
* Feel the hoses. Are they bent sharply? A kink in the hose can stop water flow or cause low water pressure kitchen faucet issues.
* Straighten any bent hoses gently.
* Look for any leaks around the connections. Leaks mean there’s a problem, but usually do not stop water flow entirely unless the main supply was turned off due to the leak.
Grasping the Role of the Aerator
One very common reason for a kitchen faucet not working or having low pressure is a clog in the aerator.
What is a Faucet Aerator?
The aerator is the small cap on the very end of the faucet spout.
* It mixes air into the water stream. This makes the water feel softer. It also helps save water.
* The aerator has a screen or screens inside.
* Over time, small bits of dirt, minerals from water (like calcium or lime), or tiny pieces of pipe can get caught in this screen.
* This blockage is called a clogged faucet aerator. It is a frequent cause of kitchen faucet no water or low water pressure.
Steps for Cleaning Kitchen Faucet Aerator
Cleaning the aerator is usually easy and can fix many problems.
Tools You Might Need:
- Adjustable wrench or pliers (sometimes the aerator cap is tight)
- Small towel or cloth (to protect the finish and catch parts)
- Small brush (like an old toothbrush)
- Small container or bowl (to soak parts)
- White vinegar (good for dissolving mineral buildup)
How to Take Off the Aerator:
- Shut off the water: This is important! Go back under the sink. Find the kitchen faucet shut off valve for both hot and cold water. Turn the handles clockwise until they stop. Turn on the faucet handles briefly to let any water already in the pipes drain out. This relieves pressure.
- Protect the faucet: Wrap a cloth around the aerator before putting a wrench or pliers on it. This stops you from scratching the metal finish.
- Unscrew the aerator: The aerator cap screws onto the end of the spout. Most aerators twist off counter-clockwise.
- Some aerators can be turned by hand.
- Others need a wrench or pliers to loosen them. Use the tool carefully over the cloth.
- If it’s very stuck, you might need to soak a cloth in vinegar, wrap it around the aerator for a while, and try again.
- Keep the parts together: As you unscrew it, small parts will come out. These include screens, rubber washers, and plastic inserts. Put them somewhere safe, like in a small dish. Note the order they came out. Taking a quick picture with your phone can help you remember how to put them back.
How to Clean the Aerator Parts:
- Look at the screen: Is it full of grit or white crusty stuff (mineral deposits)? This is likely the problem.
- Rinse the parts: Hold the screen and other parts under running water (use a different faucet!). Brush away any loose dirt or particles.
- Soak in vinegar: If there is mineral buildup (looks like white or green crust), put the parts in a bowl of white vinegar. Let them soak for 15-30 minutes. Vinegar helps break down mineral deposits.
- Brush again: After soaking, use the small brush to gently scrub away any remaining gunk from the screen and other pieces.
- Rinse thoroughly: Make sure all vinegar and loosened particles are washed away.
How to Put the Aerator Back On:
- Assemble the parts: Put the screens, washers, and inserts back into the aerator cap in the correct order. Look at your photo if you took one. Make sure any rubber washers are flat and in place. They help make a good seal so water does not leak from the tip.
- Screw the aerator back on: Place the assembled aerator cap back onto the faucet spout. Turn it clockwise.
- Tighten carefully: Screw it on hand-tight first. Then, use the cloth and wrench/pliers again to tighten it just a little more. Do not over-tighten, as this can damage the plastic parts or the aerator threads.
- Turn the water back on: Go back under the sink. Slowly turn the kitchen faucet shut off valve handles back counter-clockwise until they are fully open.
- Test the faucet: Turn on the kitchen faucet handles.
- Does water come out?
- Is the pressure better?
- Does the water stream look normal?
If cleaning the aerator fixed your kitchen faucet no water or low water pressure issue, great! If not, you need to keep looking for the problem.
Deciphering Low Water Pressure Issues (Beyond the Aerator)
If cleaning the aerator did not help the low water pressure kitchen faucet problem, the cause might be elsewhere.
Check the Water Supply Line Kitchen Faucet Hoses
We looked at these already for kinks, but check again.
* Make sure they are not just kinked but also not somehow squeezed or damaged.
* Follow the line from the shut-off valve up to the faucet connection. Is anything pressing on it?
Are the Shut-Off Valves Fully Open?
Double-check the kitchen faucet shut off valve handles under the sink.
* Are they really turned as far as they can go counter-clockwise? Sometimes they can feel open but not be all the way.
Check the Main Water Supply
If the low pressure is happening at all faucets in the house, the problem is not just your kitchen faucet.
* It could be an issue with the main water valve for your whole house. This is usually near where the water pipe enters your home. Make sure it is fully open.
* It could be a problem with the city water supply pressure. Call your water company to ask if there are issues in your area.
* It could be a problem with your well pump or pressure tank if you have a well.
If the low pressure is only at the kitchen faucet, and the aerator is clean, the issue is probably inside the faucet itself or in the short water supply line kitchen faucet connection under the sink.
Investigating Issues with Hot or Cold Water
Sometimes the kitchen faucet works, but you get no hot water kitchen faucet or no cold water.
Check the Shut-Off Valves Again
This is the first step.
* Go under the sink. Make sure both the hot and cold kitchen faucet shut off valve handles are fully open.
* Maybe someone accidentally turned one off.
Feel the Supply Lines
Carefully feel the water supply line kitchen faucet hoses under the sink.
* Feel the hot water line (usually on the left). Is the pipe warm?
* Feel the cold water line (usually on the right). Is the pipe cool?
* If the hot pipe is not warm, the issue might be with the hot water coming to the faucet.
Check Your Water Heater
If you have no hot water kitchen faucet but get hot water at other sinks, the problem is likely in the faucet.
* If you have no hot water anywhere in the house, the problem is with your water heater. Check if it is on and working. Is the pilot light lit (for gas heaters)? Is the breaker on (for electric heaters)?
The Problem is Likely Inside the Faucet
If you have good hot water supply to the sink area, but no hot water comes out of the faucet (or vice versa for cold water), the issue is almost always inside the faucet body. This often points to the faucet’s internal “engine,” which is usually a cartridge or a set of washers and springs.
Composing How to Fix Kitchen Faucet Internal Parts: Cartridge Replacement
Many modern faucets use a cartridge to control water flow and temperature. If you have no water, low pressure, or only hot/cold water after checking the simple things, a faulty or blocked cartridge is a likely cause. Replacing the kitchen faucet cartridge replacement can fix many problems.
Identifying Your Faucet Type
Faucets come in different types. This affects how you get to the cartridge or other parts.
* Single-handle faucets: These have one handle you move up/down for flow and side-to-side for temperature. Most use a cartridge.
* Two-handle faucets: These have separate handles for hot and cold water. They usually use compression valves, ball valves, or ceramic discs instead of a single cartridge. This guide will focus mainly on cartridge replacement for single-handle faucets, as it’s a very common issue.
What is a Faucet Cartridge?
A cartridge is a plastic or metal part inside the faucet body.
* It moves when you move the handle.
* It controls how much hot and cold water mixes and how much water flows out.
* Over time, these can wear out, get clogged with mineral deposits, or break.
Steps for Kitchen Faucet Cartridge Replacement
Replacing a cartridge might seem hard, but it’s quite manageable with the right steps.
Tools You Will Need:
- Screwdriver (likely a Phillips head, maybe a small flathead)
- Adjustable wrench or pliers
- Hex key set (small Allen wrenches – often comes with new faucets)
- New faucet cartridge (important: get the correct one for your faucet brand and model!)
- Small knife or awl (for popping off caps)
- Towel or bucket (to catch drips)
- Plumber’s grease (silicone based, for lubrication)
How to Replace the Cartridge:
- Shut off the water: This is the most important step! Go under the sink and turn the kitchen faucet shut off valve for both hot and cold water fully off (clockwise). Turn on the faucet handles to drain any water left in the lines.
- Cover the drain: Put a towel over the sink drain or close the drain stopper. This stops small parts from falling down the drain.
- Remove the handle:
- Look for a small screw on the faucet handle. It might be on the side or back.
- The screw is often hidden under a small plastic cap (sometimes red/blue for hot/cold). Use a small knife or awl to gently pry off this cap.
- Use the correct screwdriver or hex key to unscrew the handle screw. Keep the screw safe!
- Once the screw is out, the handle should lift or pull off. Sometimes it’s stuck. Wiggling gently can help.
- Remove the handle base or cover: Below the handle, there might be a cover, cap, or dome. This part often just unscrews by hand by turning it counter-clockwise. Sometimes you might need gentle help from pliers (use a cloth to protect the finish).
- Remove the retaining clip or nut: Now you should see the top of the cartridge.
- Many cartridges are held in place by a clip. This is often a thin metal pin or clip around the top of the cartridge. Use pliers or a screwdriver to pull this clip straight up and out. Be careful not to drop it!
- Some faucets use a large nut that screws down over the cartridge to hold it in place. You will need an adjustable wrench to unscrew this nut. Turn it counter-clockwise.
- Remove the old cartridge:
- Once the clip or nut is removed, the cartridge should be loose.
- You should be able to pull the cartridge straight up and out of the faucet body.
- Sometimes it is stuck. Gently twist it back and forth with pliers (don’t squeeze too hard!) while pulling up. Some stubborn cartridges might require a special cartridge puller tool for that brand of faucet.
- Inspect the old cartridge: Look at the old cartridge. Is it broken? Does it have mineral buildup? This helps confirm it was the problem. Take the old cartridge with you to the store or look up its model number online to make sure you buy the exact correct replacement. A new cartridge must match the old one exactly to fit and work right.
- Prepare the new cartridge:
- Look at the new cartridge. It should look just like the old one.
- There might be small rubber O-rings or seals on the cartridge body. It’s a good idea to put a little plumber’s grease on these seals. This helps it slide in smoothly and makes a good seal.
- Insert the new cartridge:
- Look down into the faucet body where the old cartridge came from. Note the two large holes (for hot and cold water) and any notches or alignment keys inside.
- Look at the bottom of the new cartridge. It will have parts that need to line up with the holes and notches in the faucet body.
- Carefully push the new cartridge straight down into the faucet body. Make sure it sits all the way down and is properly aligned. It should drop into place or require only gentle pressure. If it doesn’t go in easily, do not force it. Check the alignment. Some cartridges have markings (like “H” and “C” or an arrow) to show which way is front or hot/cold.
- Put the retaining clip or nut back:
- If your faucet used a clip, put the clip back into its slot. Push it down until it snaps into place. It holds the cartridge down.
- If your faucet used a nut, screw the nut back down over the cartridge by hand first. Then, use the wrench to tighten it, but do not over-tighten. It just needs to be snug to hold the cartridge firmly.
- Put the handle base/cover back: Screw the cover or dome back into place over the cartridge area.
- Re-attach the handle:
- Slide the handle back onto its stem.
- Find the screw and screw it back in to hold the handle on. Do not over-tighten.
- Snap the small plastic cap back over the screw hole.
- Turn the water back on: Slowly turn the kitchen faucet shut off valve handles under the sink back on (counter-clockwise).
- Test the faucet: Turn on the faucet handles slowly.
- Check for leaks around the handle or spout base.
- Check if water flows normally now.
- Check if you get both hot and cold water and can mix them correctly.
If the kitchen faucet no water or low pressure or hot/cold issue is fixed, congratulations! You have successfully done a kitchen faucet cartridge replacement.
What if Replacing the Cartridge Didn’t Work?
If you still have problems after replacing the cartridge, the issue could be deeper.
* There might be a blockage below the cartridge in the faucet body itself. This is less common but can happen.
* The problem could be in the water supply line kitchen faucet hose connecting to the shut-off valve. Even if it looks okay, sometimes the internal part of the hose can break down and cause a blockage.
* The shut-off valve itself might be faulty and not opening fully. You would need to replace the shut-off valve (requires turning off water to the whole house, usually).
At this point, if you are not comfortable going further, calling a plumber is a good idea.
Interpreting Other Possible Causes
Beyond the aerator and the cartridge, a few other things can cause faucet problems.
Clogged Water Supply Line Kitchen Faucet
We checked for kinks, but the inside of the hose connecting the valve to the faucet can get clogged with sediment.
* If you suspect a clogged water supply line kitchen faucet, you can disconnect it from the shut-off valve (make sure water is off first!).
* Point the hose end into a bucket and turn on the shut-off valve briefly (be ready for water!).
* If water shoots out with good pressure, the hose is likely clear, and the problem is in the faucet.
* If water trickles out, the hose might be clogged or the shut-off valve has a problem.
Faulty Shut-Off Valve
The kitchen faucet shut off valve under the sink might be the issue.
* Sometimes the handle turns, but the valve inside does not open fully.
* If you disconnected the supply line from it and water pressure was low when you turned the valve on, the valve itself might need replacing. This is a slightly more advanced repair as it requires shutting off the water to your entire house.
Main Water Supply Problem
As mentioned before, if several faucets in your house have low pressure or no water, the problem is likely with the main water line coming into your house or with the municipal water supply.
Troubleshooting Summary Table
Here is a quick look at common problems and likely fixes:
| Problem | Most Likely Causes | First Things to Check | Potential Next Steps (if basic checks fail) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen faucet no water | Shut-off valves closed; Clogged aerator; Faulty cartridge | Kitchen faucet shut off valve position; Other faucets | Cleaning kitchen faucet aerator; Kitchen faucet cartridge replacement |
| Low water pressure | Clogged aerator; Partially closed shut-off valve; Kinked water supply line kitchen faucet | Cleaning kitchen faucet aerator; Shut-off valve position; Check supply lines | Check supply line for internal clog; Check main water supply pressure |
| No hot water only | Hot water shut-off valve closed; Faulty cartridge; Water heater issue | Hot water kitchen faucet shut off valve; Hot water at other sinks | Kitchen faucet cartridge replacement; Check water heater |
| No cold water only | Cold water shut-off valve closed; Faulty cartridge | Cold water kitchen faucet shut off valve; Cold water at other sinks | Kitchen faucet cartridge replacement |
| Slow drip/leak | Worn washers or seals; Faulty cartridge | (This is a different issue, not no water/low pressure) | Replace washers/seals; Kitchen faucet cartridge replacement |
This table helps quickly troubleshoot kitchen faucet problems based on what you observe.
Fathoming Simple Prevention Tips
Once you have fixed your kitchen faucet, taking simple steps can help prevent future problems.
- Clean the aerator regularly: Even if water pressure is fine, unscrew and clean the aerator every few months. This stops mineral buildup before it becomes a problem.
- Be gentle with handles: Do not force faucet handles. If they are stiff, there might be an issue inside. Forcing them can break parts like the cartridge.
- Check under the sink: Every so often, peek under the sink. Look at the water supply line kitchen faucet connections and shut-off valves. Make sure there are no small leaks starting and that hoses are not kinked.
- Consider a water filter: If you have very hard water (lots of minerals), a whole-house or under-sink water filter can reduce mineral buildup in your pipes and fixtures, including the faucet cartridge and aerator.
Taking care of your faucet bit by bit can stop bigger issues down the road.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: How long does a kitchen faucet cartridge last?
A: A cartridge can last many years. How long depends on how much you use the faucet and the quality of your water. Hard water with many minerals can make them fail faster.
Q: Can I use any cartridge for my faucet?
A: No, you must use a cartridge made for your specific faucet brand and model. They are all different shapes and sizes. Take your old cartridge with you to the store or look up your faucet model number to find the right part.
Q: Do I need special tools to clean the aerator?
A: Sometimes you can unscrew the aerator by hand. If it is stuck, you might need pliers or an adjustable wrench. Always use a cloth to protect the finish.
Q: What if the water supply line kitchen faucet hose is leaking?
A: If a water supply line kitchen faucet hose is leaking, shut off the water immediately at the shut-off valve under the sink. Then, you need to replace the hose. These are usually flexible braided hoses and are easy to replace once the water is off.
Q: When should I call a plumber?
A: Call a plumber if you have tried the steps above and the faucet still does not work. Also call a plumber if you are not comfortable working with plumbing or if the problem seems bigger than a simple fix, like a problem with your main water line or if replacing a shut-off valve is needed.
Fixing a kitchen faucet no water or low water pressure problem is often a task you can do yourself. By checking the easy things first, like the kitchen faucet shut off valve and cleaning kitchen faucet aerator, you can solve many common issues. If those do not work, knowing how to fix kitchen faucet internal parts, like doing a kitchen faucet cartridge replacement, is the next step. Stay calm, take it step by step, and remember to always turn off the water supply line kitchen faucet first!