Hello:

I recently noticed that my Moen single lever kitchen sink faucet is DRIPPING into the cabinet from up inside the faucet housing. The faucet is relatively new - approximately 5 years old and the drip is only from below, not the faucet itself.

My problem is that I don't have much experience with fixing single lever faucets...

How can I "open up" the facet from up top? I don't see any obvious screws, etc? Also, what do you think is the problem - washer, etc?

Do I need "special" tools to troubleshoot and fix a problem like this?

Any help would be much appreciated..

 

YOu will need an allen wrench set or a Delta repair tool, which has the allen wrench and spanner in one. You can purchase one of these at a plumbing supply house or at one of the big box stores. The handle is held on with an allen screw. Once this is removed you will need to take the crown of the unit off by unscrewing it. There are o rings under this that may be causing your internal leak, and they will have to be replaced. So before you completely dismantle this, make sure you have purchased the correct repair kit.

 

Not too long ago I installed a new faucet for a friend. One of those with the pull out sprayer. It too leaked underneath, and after two replacements that both leaked went to a different brand. No problem. The units must have been a bad batch. Just thought I'd share that.

 

I have a similar problem of faucet dripping. But the problem is that the Allen Screw on the faucet has lost the grip. I asked a plumber he said to replace the complete faucet because it will be hard to find the allen screw even if we fix the faucet drip.
Can anyone suggest if I should replace the complete faucet or try to some how get the allen screw out (using a dril) and try to find a replacement?
Thanks,

 

kiransa, you can try using a broken screw extractor to get out the stripped allen screw. They're cheap and work like a backwards threaded drill bit so they'll dig into a screw and spin it out without hurting the threads.

As for replacing it, I think you should be able to find an allen screw at the hardware store to fit the handle. If not customer support might send you one for free if you ask.

 

niadh,
Thanks a lot. I will try your suggestions.