Pro Handyman Blog

Faucet Leak At Base Of Spout

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A faucet that leaks at the base of the spout might not actually be leaking where you think it is. Since water runs downhill, check around the aerator to make sure the water isn’t dripping from there are simply running down the underside of the spout where it collects on the base of the faucet. It may be that you can remove the aerator and clean it up and the leak will stop. Otherwise, you have a decision to make.

If you have a single handle faucet with this problem, the repair is pretty easy. If you have a faucet with separate handles, you might consider replacing it if you have a lot of corrosion around the base. The choice is yours.

If you have a single handle faucet, you can replace the O-rings. You will need to remove the handle, which involves lifting a cap and removing a screw. You can jiggle the spout back and forth while lifting it off. You will see two O-rings on the faucet body, one at the top and one at the bottom. Replace these O-rings and use plumbing grease or liquid soft to lubricate them. You don’t want these to twist as they will allow water to pass and leak out. Once the O-rings are on, carefully slide the spout back on.