A kitchen faucet that drips, sprays sideways or leaks under the sink usually has a small part wearing out. Kitchen faucets repair in Chesterfield, MO often means a cartridge, an aerator or a supply hose, and most are within reach of a homeowner with a wrench and a flashlight.
The key is figuring out where the water comes from. A leaky spout, a wet base and a drip from the handle each point to a different part. Start by shutting off the water under the sink, then follow the steps below.
Where the leak shows up and what it usually is
Dry the faucet, then run it and watch where the first drop appears.
| Where water appears | Likely part | Typical fix |
|---|---|---|
| Drip from the spout when off | Worn cartridge, ball or washer seat | Replace the cartridge or seals |
| Water around the base of the spout | Worn O-rings on a swivel spout | Replace the O-rings and grease them |
| Leak at the handle | Loose cap, worn cartridge seal or packing | Tighten, then replace the seal or cartridge |
| Weak or splitting spray | Clogged aerator or sprayer head | Soak or clean the aerator |
| Puddle under the sink | Supply hose, shutoff valve or fitting | Tighten or replace the hose or valve |
| Pull-down spray hose leaks | Worn hose or a failed quick-connect | Replace the hose |
Brand and model change the exact part, so take the old one with you or note the model on the faucet body.
Shut it off and take it apart
Find the shutoff valves
Look under the sink for two small valves, one for hot and one for cold. Turn each clockwise until snug.
Open the faucet to release pressure
Turn the handle on to drain what is left in the line. Keep the drain stopped so small parts do not fall in.
Remove the handle
Look for a set screw under a decorative cap or behind the handle. Lift it off and set the screw aside.
Pull the cartridge or stem
Take out the retaining nut or clip and pull the cartridge straight up. Compare it to the new one before installing.
Clean and reassemble
Wipe the seat, grease the new seals lightly with plumber's grease and reverse the steps. Turn the water on slowly.
What Chesterfield water does to faucets and what to do after repairs
Missouri American Water supplies most of St. Louis County. Its 2021 St. Louis region report put hardness at 76 to 170 mg/L at the Missouri River facilities and 66 to 148 mg/L at the Meramec River facilities, or roughly 3.9 to 9.9 grains per gallon. Water in that range leaves scale in aerators and on cartridges, which shortens their life.
The same report advises flushing a tap 30 seconds to 2 minutes after the water has sat for hours before you drink or cook with it. Do that after any faucet repair, since fresh work can stir up debris. Ask Missouri American Water for the latest report and which plant serves your address.
Source types: utility water quality report.
Leak under the sink?
Dry the cabinet floor and run the faucet to see where the first drop appears.
Quick fixes you can try first
Clean the aerator
Unscrew the tip, rinse out grit and soak it in vinegar for an hour if it is crusty. Reinstall hand tight.
Tighten the handle or cap
A loose handle can leak or feel sloppy. Snug the set screw and nut but do not force them.
Replace the O-rings
A swivel spout leaks at the base when its rings dry out and flatten. New rings and a thin film of grease often stop it.
Swap the supply hose
Flexible hoses under the sink wear out. Replace both at once with new braided hoses of the right length.
Check the shutoff valves
If a valve drips at its stem, a quarter turn of the packing nut may stop it. If not, replace the valve.
Repair or replace the faucet
Parts are cheap, but time and uncertainty add up on an old faucet.
Repair when
- The faucet is a common model with parts available
- Only one part is worn
- The finish and body are in good shape
- Hard water scale is the main issue
- You like the faucet and its height
Replace when
- The body is cracked or corroded
- Parts are discontinued
- You have patched it more than once
- The finish is flaking or pitted
- You want a pull-down sprayer or a different layout
Finding a leak that hides under the sink
Not every wet cabinet comes from the faucet. Dry the cabinet floor and the underside of the sink, then lay a dry paper towel under each connection. After a minute of running the tap, check which spot is wet first.
A drip on the supply connection at the shutoff valve means the nut or washer is loose or worn. A drip on the hose body means the braided hose is failing and should be replaced. Water at the sink drain trap is a separate problem and has nothing to do with the faucet.
A moisture meter can find damp wood in the cabinet that you cannot see. If the cabinet floor is soft or swollen, the leak has been going for a while and should be addressed quickly, since mold follows moisture.
Know when to stop and call a plumber
- ✓A shutoff valve under the sink will not close fully.
- ✓The valve handle breaks off or spins without turning the stem.
- ✓Water seeps from the wall or the cabinet floor after you close the valve.
- ✓The faucet body is corroded and the nuts will not budge.
- ✓You are not sure which part is leaking.
- ✓A leak is close to electrical outlets, in which case keep clear and shut the power off only if the panel is dry.
What drives the cost of a kitchen faucet repair
Parts alone are a small share. Time, access and condition decide the rest.
Homeowners policies typically cover sudden accidental water damage but not gradual leaks or wear. Document the leak and call your insurer if the cabinet or floor got wet.
Want the real number for your job? Call the 24/7 line, describe the work, and hear a clear price before anything starts.
Getting help with the faucet and what sits beneath it
Our faucet repair service handles cartridge swaps, hose and valve replacements and full faucet changes. If the leak comes from under the sink and the disposal is involved, garbage disposal repair covers the connection. For a new faucet with fresh shutoff valves or new supply lines, see plumbing installation.
We also serve nearby towns, including Ballwin and Creve Coeur. If water is flooding the cabinet or running down a wall, shut the main valve and call the 24/7 line.
Questions readers ask
The cartridge, ball or washer seat has worn. Replacing that part usually stops it.
On a swivel spout the O-rings wear flat. New rings with a little plumber's grease are often enough.
Unscrew the aerator and clean it. If pressure stays low, check the supply hoses and shutoff valves for kinks or partial closure.
Repair a common faucet with one worn part. Replace one with a cracked body, flaking finish or parts that are no longer sold.
Yes. Missouri American Water's report advises flushing a tap 30 seconds to 2 minutes after water has sat for hours before drinking or cooking, and fresh repairs can loosen debris.
Reference points for this guide: The Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) and the International Plumbing Code (IPC) are the model codes most U.S. jurisdictions adopt, and the local permitting authority decides which edition and amendments apply. Water hardness figures come from Missouri American Water and its 2021 water quality report for the St. Louis region. This guide is general information and does not replace a visit.