Beneath my kitchen sink are two shut off valves for the water; one for hot, one for cold. The hot water valve has never successfully stopped all water flow, so we've always resorted to shutting off the main line. Well, now that's not working. We shut off the main water line to the house, all water everywhere is non-functioning except for the hot water pipe beneath my sink. It's now causing the faucet to constantly stream water, so it's something we have to resolve ASAP. I'd like to avoid calling a plumber, but my knowledge in such areas is very limited. Can anyone give me any decent suggestions? For the record, I did take apart the faucet fixture just in case, thoroughly cleaned it, and replaced all of the washers I had access to; but we only just bought the faucet in September, so I can't see a worn washer as being the problem. I also tried to tighten the nut behind the handle on the valve. It didn't effect the dripping.
This Site Might Help You. RE: Leaking water valve under my kitchen sink? Beneath my kitchen sink are two shut off valves for the water; one for hot, one for cold. The hot water valve has never successfully stopped all water flow, so we've always resorted to shutting off the main line. Well, now that's not working. We shut off the main water line to the house,...
The faucet is the problem, not the valve under it. If you just bought the faucet, it shouldn't have any washers in it. Washerless faucets have been the norm for 15 to 20 years now. You need to replace o rings or entire cartridges and the cartridge valve seats. Cartridges are designed to only work one way, but can be installed backwards, so pay close attention to directions that come in the package. To get the proper parts, you need the manufacturer of the faucet (Moen, Peerless or whatever) and you need to know if it's a one handle or two handle faucet and if it's a vanity or kitchen faucet. When getting these parts, you are better of going to a small hardware store or plumbing supply store. They do sell them at Lowe's and Home Depot, but the personalized, professional and knowledgeable customer service at a small hardware or plumbing supply store is invaluable if you don't know exactly what you need. The guy in the plumbing department at Lowe's may or may not know what he is talking about. If you type replacing faucet cartridge and seats into google, you will come up with several videos and how to web sites to show you how to do the job. You should also look at replacing the valve under the sink and the main, so you can shut the water off all of the way. Sometimes on the main if you just open it and close it a couple of times it will break up the lime residue on it and work properly. If it leaks externally, rebuild or replace it.
Hot water valves always go bad before cold water, ashot water is harder on the rubber and plastic parts inside valves. That said, turn off the water at the main and drain whatever hot water faucet is lowest in the house. If you have one in the basement, that is best. Turn on the hot water in the kitchen so the air can come in at the kitchen and the water can run out in the basement, or bathtub, whatever is lowest. Next, the valve under your sink will likely have a hexagonal nut on the side that has a line going to the faucet, and it will probably screw directly onto the pipe on the other side. If this is the case, just loosen the nut, pull the line off of the valve, then unscrew the valve. Take the old one with you to get a replacement so you can compare to make sure you have the right one, and then reassemble it the way it came apart The nut may be attached to the sink hose. Once you've reassembled things, then remove the stem on your faucet above the sink. That valve is also not stopping the water or it wouldn't be running all the time. If it is a two handle faucet, then remove the hot water handle, and remove the nut underneath that holds the stem into the faucet. Take the stem with you to the hardware store and they can help you find the right washer or rebuild kit. Replace it the way you found it once the new washers etc are installed. If it is a single handle faucet, then there is probably a screw that has to be removed under the faucet spout before you can unscrew the handle and remove it. Take out not only the stem, which is built into the handle, but also the rubber washers that are sitting in little holes inside the base. Take them with you to the hardware store. The little cup shaped rubber washers may also be under the stems of two handle faucets. Those cups have to go in with the wider opening down and the smaller hole upward.
