Sink Faucet Won’t Turn Off: Repair or Replace?
Are you wondering why the sink faucet won’t turn off and how to get rid of this problem? If yes, then you have landed on the right blog post. It is a common issue that occurs due to broken parts, clogs, water pressure, or mineral buildup in the faucet handle. However, you don’t need to worry. Having years of experience in the RV industry, I know how to fix these issues.
Continue reading this informative guide to learn about 6 handy solutions to tackle your leaky faucet. Also, get to know when you should opt for repair or replacement. So without further ado, let’s dig in!
Table of Contents
4 Culprits Behind Sink Faucet Problems
Finding out the reasons behind the issue is the first important step in any troubleshooting process. In the following section, I will address four things that I found responsible for the faucet issue. Let’s learn about them:
- Debris or Sediment Build up – With time debris can build up in your kitchen faucet causing it to work improperly.
- Worn-out Valve – Regular usage of your kitchen/bathroom faucet can cause the valve (rubber washers) inside it to wear out. When this happens, the valve won’t fit properly into the faucet seat causing water leakage even in the off position.
- Faulty Washer – There is a washer inside your faucet handle that serves as a seal when your sink faucet is turned off. If the washer is damaged or of incorrect size, it will not stop the water flow resulting in leakage.
- Corroded Faucet – If there is corrosion in your sink faucet then it will affect the water supply and your faucet won’t turn on/off properly.
Leaky Faucet Guide: 6 Steps to Fix Your Sink Faucet Won’t Turn Off
Now that we have already learned about the reasons behind the issue, it’s time to explore the best solutions. From my experience, I am going to shed light on a 6-step process that actually works for both normal and RV faucets. Let’s dive into detailed troubleshooting:
1. Turn off the Water Supply
The very first thing to do is to turn off the water supply of your sink or bathroom faucet. To do so you will find a valve under your sink. If you are an RV owner, there is a panel located on the side or back of your RV faucet and you need to turn that off to disconnect the water flow.
2. Disassemble the Faucet Handle
For this step, you need a flathead screwdriver to unscrew the cover plate of the problematic faucet. Then, you need to loosen the lug nuts. For this purpose, I would recommend you opt for an Allen wrench or something similar.
3. Disassemble the Running Faucet Cartridge
The faucet cartridge is responsible for controlling the water flow and to disassemble it you need to unscrew it. But let me tell you that my faucet cartridge had an unscrewable brass stem so I just pulled it up and it was removed from my faucet handle.
4. Detect the Damage in your Faucet
If your faucet won’t turn off properly then definitely there will be something damaged inside it. To inspect the damage have a closer look at the valve stem and rubber washers. Also, check for corrosion.
If there are any small cracks that you feel do not need a replacement then you can make use of a sealant to cover up the cracks.
5. Replace the Faulty Parts to restore Functionality
If you find a completely damaged part like a broken washer or if the valve is worn out then I would advise you to go for replacement parts. You can easily find the replacement part from any nearby hardware shop.
If the base of your faucet handle is loose, the O rings probably need to be replaced. Ricky Smalls, Camper with 20 years of experience, Senior Writer
6. Reassemble the Faucet
Now, when you have replaced the broken part, reassemble your kitchen/shower faucet. You can simply do this by screwing the nuts of your faucet and also placing a new faucet stem for better performance. Restore the water supply to check the working of your RV faucet.
For more insights on kitchen faucet, check out this helpful video.
Repair or Replace: What Should You Do?
When I was dealing with the faucet issue for the first time, I was confused about whether my faucet needed a complete replacement or it could be repaired.
I know many people out there would feel the same. To solve this issue I have made three simple questions and by answering these questions you will get your solution whether to Fix or not to Fix! Just read below.
- How old is your faucet? If it is more than 10 years old then the best solution is to replace it because it would be really difficult to find out the parts of such an old model number. However, if your faucet is new and there is one issue then you can use the above suggested fixes to replace it.
- What is your budget? Faucets can be expensive these days. If you have the budget to get a new one then I would suggest replacing it. If your budget is low then you can look toward repair options.
- Is your faucet having more than one issue? If you find that your kitchen faucet is having more than one issue that is mentioned above, then it is suggested to replace your kitchen/bathroom sink faucet.
Signs When You Need Professional Assistance
When you attempt to solve your faucet leakage problem and still your faucet won’t turn off then it is the first sign that you need plumbing services.
Moreover, if you try to solve the leakage issue by replacing the parts and after that, if there is still leakage then it becomes very clear that you need emergency plumbing services.
A Quick Look At People’s Experiences With Faucets
Now, I am going to tell you about the leaky faucet experience of people as this might help you with detecting and solving the problem. So just read below;
- Jim bought a new faucet as he was unable to find out the issue behind the leakage of water. He claims that during the holiday season, he got it at a discounted price.
- Cavie claimed that disassembling the faucet worked for her and she just replaced the valve stem and the water leakage was gone.
- 5picker stated that his bathroom sink faucet was leaking because there was a washer issue and he solved the problem by placing a new washer.
FAQ
How do you fix a faucet that won’t turn off all the way?
You can fix the faucet that won’t turn all the way by tightening the handle screws or replacing the washer. If the issue still persists, you need to take the assistance of a professional plumber.
Why does my faucet keep spinning?
The reason for a spinning bathroom sink faucet could be a loose mounting nut or a worn-out valve. You can fix it by tightening the handle of your faucet. Sometimes the washer inside the faucet also gets cracked or broken and it could also result in the spinning of the faucet.
Can I replace a damaged RV faucet with a standard sink faucet?
Yes, you can do the replacement with a few tools like an Allen wrench or needle nose pliers but the things to consider for replacement are, size, water pressure, and similar weight. Determining these aspects you can make a replacement according to the model number of your faucet.
What to do when my RV’s frost-free faucet doesn’t shut off?
When your RV’s frost-free faucet does not shut off then it indicates that there is a problem with your faucet and you need to unscrew it and check for the problem. Your valve stem can be corroded or has debris inside it which needs cleaning.
How much does it cost to fix an RV faucet?
The cost to fix an RV faucet can be divided into two parts. If you just opt for general repairs, it will cost you less than $50. However, if you call in for professional assistance, your cost can jump up to $100 or more.
Conclusion
The final say is that the sink faucet won’t turn off due to issues like sediment build-up, worn-out valves, and faulty washers.
In order to get rid of the problem, stop your running faucet and disassemble it using the tools like a screwdriver and wrench. Clean the debris and replace the faulty parts. If the problem persists after trying DIY fixes, it is recommended to seek professional assistance.
Have you ever faced the issue of a leaky faucet and how did you solve it? Share your experience with me in the comments below.
I`m a current Law Enforcement Officer working within the Counterterrorism Bureau in New York State. I have been Camping for over 20 years. My styles of camping include tent, car, truck, van, and RV travel trailer. I have a YouTube channel where I teach all types of camping with an entertaining method: https://youtube.com/@TheSmallsRVAdventures
