Why doesn’t your kitchen sink faucet respond when you turn the handle? More specifically, why won’t it respond in the way you expect it to? Did you turn the handle on and nothing came out? Or did you turn the handle off and the water won’t stop? Before you attempt to DIY this common plumbing issue, take a look at the possible problems and the reasons to call a professional as soon as possible.
Why Won’t Water Come Out of the Faucet?
A few possible plumbing problems can stop the flow of water from your kitchen sink. The top culprits behind this common issue include:
- Water heater malfunction. Does the cold water handle work? If only the cold water comes on, but the hot is dry, the issue is possibly with the water heater and not the sink.
- Aerator clog. The aerator on the faucet spout can clog with sediment and debris. Over time, this type of clog can grow and block the stream of water that should come out of the faucet. Rinse or soak in vinegar to break up build up.
- A leak. A cracked or damaged pipe can cause water to leak into your walls or under the sink. This type of issue can reduce or completely eliminate the water flowing to the sink’s faucet.
- Pipe clog. A clogged or narrowing pipe can restrict water flow to the sink, leaving the faucet dry or near-dry.
- Angle stop. Did someone in your household turn the shut-off valve under the sink or the main home valve? If your sink doesn’t have water, but the rest of the house does, the main shut-off isn’t at fault.
Along with these potential problems, an old, worn, or damaged faucet can also stop your kitchen sink from working properly. Faulty internal components or a handle mishap can also result in a dry sink.
Why Won’t the Faucet Turn Off?
A faucet that won’t turn on isn’t the only issue a kitchen sink can face. Some faucets have no trouble starting — but won’t stop. Like a faucet that won’t turn on, a faucet that won’t turn off also could have one of a few different problems. These may include:
- Wear or damage to the handle. An old, worn, or broken handle won’t only stop water from streaming out of your kitchen faucet. This possible plumbing problem can also leave the fixture stuck in the on position. A worn or damaged faucet won’t grip the stem correctly, making it difficult to fully turn off.
- A leak. Is the faucet really stuck on — or is the fixture leaking? Even though this may seem like a stuck faucet, a leaky faucet is different from a faucet that won’t or can’t turn all the way off.
- Washer wear. Wear to the rubber washers could also stop your faucet’s ability to function.
Other internal parts, such as stem and cartridge or valve set, may also cause a faucet to constantly run. Wear or damage to these components may make it seem like the handle spins or won’t completely close or turn to the off position.
What Should You Do About A Faucet Problem?
Whether your kitchen sink faucet won’t turn on or can’t shut off, your plumbing system has a problem. A DIY diagnosis and repair job may not fix the issue completely — or could cause more serious problems. Instead of wasting time, money, and energy trying to fix your faucet, call a pro. A professional plumber has the knowledge and experience to find the problem and make sure your kitchen faucet is fully functional.
Do you need help with a plumbing problem? Contact A-1 Affordable Plumbing Inc for more information.
