Checklist for Chasing Down Leaks in the Kitchen
Faucets: Listen for drips and tighten aerators or replace fixtures if necessary.
Sprayer: Check to make sure water is spraying smoothly, if not, clean the head of the spray nozzle.
Under the Sink: Check for pooling water under pipes and rust around joints and edges.
Appliances: Check for pooling water underneath dishwashers and refrigerators with ice makers, which could indicate a supply line leak.
Faucet Leaks
Old and worn faucet washers and gaskets frequently cause leaks in faucets. A leaky faucet that drips at the rate of one drip per second can waste more than 3,000 gallons per year. That's the amount of water needed to take more than 180 showers! Many tutorials are available online for how to fix a wide variety of faucets. Here are a few examples from our partners:
- AWWA's Drip Calculator helps you see how drips add up to gallons wasted.
- Lowe's How to Fix a Dripping or Leaky Double Handle Faucet.
- Lowe's How to Fix a Dripping or Leaky Single Handle Faucet.
- The Home Depot How to Fix a Leaky Bathtub Faucet.
- WaterSense Bath Hack #2 shows you How to Replace your Faucet Aerator.
Tip: Don't forget to turn off the water line before you start!
Did you know?
A leaky faucet that drips at the rate of one drip per second can waste more than 3,000 gallons per year. That’s the amount of water needed to take more than 180 showers!