Why Faucet Dripping After Water Turned off?

Anyone who has ever owned a faucet knows that it’s prone to drips and leaks. Even brand-new faucets can develop these problems over time.

If your kitchen faucet is dripping even when it’s off, you have a problem. People think small drips are not a big issue but try to live with that dripping noise all day in the kitchen. It becomes really annoying to work in the kitchen.

There are several reasons why faucet dripping after water turned off. But the good news is you can easily fix the dripping faucet. A general inspection of the faucet leak will help you to identify the reason for the faucet dripping issue. After that, you can decide what measures you need to take to fix it.

Here are some helpful tips for troubleshooting a dripping kitchen faucet even if its handle is in the off position.

Table Of Contents show

On Sale

Delta Essa Leak-Free Kitchen Faucet (Best Rated)

DIAMOND Seal Technology reduces leak points, MagnaTite Docking, Designed to fit single-hole or 3-hole, 8-inch configurations

Why Faucet Dripping After Water Turned off?

Check the Water Supply

Valves and gaskets control the water supply to the faucet. If they don’t work properly or aren’t in the good condition, they will cause the faucet to drip after the water is turned off.

A loose valve will cause a steady drip from the faucet because water will get space to move forward from the loose valve. The same happens with a faulty gasket. Water will seep out around the valve and cause a leak.

When you see the water dripping from the faucet even if it is in the off position, check the valve and gasket condition. If they are loose or broken, replace them.

Check the O-Ring

The O-ring is a rubber seal. It is found between the faucet handle and the stem. If the O-ring is worn out or broken, it will not stop water from leaking around the stem.

There are several reasons for damaged O-rings. Over time, the O-rings material can become hard. The hard plastic will be cracked with time and cause a leak. With handle rotation O-ring also move. It will make the O-ring stretched out. People use harsh chemicals to clean the kitchen sink faucet. It also damaged the O-ring.

To replace the O-ring, you need to first turn off the water supply of the faucet. Remove the handle of the faucet. Loose stem by removing its retaining nut. For this use a wrench. Remove the old O-ring and replace it with a new one.

Check the Faucet Shaft Seal

The faucet shaft seal is a rubber seal that sits behind the faucet. It is used in the faucet to seal the gap between the faucet and the sink. It works as a seal and prevents water from dripping around the faucet. If you are troubleshooting the dripping faucet issue, you can easily check the shaft seal.

Check the Faucet Washer

The damaged washer is a common reason for the faucet dripping after the water is turned off. The washer sits behind the faucet handle. It is placed against the stem. Its main work is to prevent any leakage or drip from the faucet.

With time, the washer gets worn or broken. A broken washer will cause a drip or leak. High water pressure also ruptures the washer.

If water is dripping around the faucet handle, most probably it is due to the washer. The washer stretches out over time, it will allow water to drip out from the faucet.

Replacing a washer is a DIY task. First, turn off the faucet water supply. Remove the handle nut using a screwdriver and remove the handle. Remove the stem by removing its retaining nut and now replace the washer.

Check the Air Gap

Another common cause of a leaking faucet is a damaged air gap. The air gap is a device that is used to prevent contaminants from getting into the faucet water.

We don’t usually check air gap devices. With time it clogged with debris and the result is dripping water from the kitchen faucet after the water is turned off. It’s a quick and easy thing to check and solve.

Check the Faucet’s Drain Valve

A faucet’s drain valve is another reason for the dripping faucet. A drain valve controls the water flow by opening and closing the valve.

Sometimes, the flap stuck in the wrong position or becomes clogged. This situation will cause a leak. To clean the drain valve, use a toothpick or small screwdriver to dislodge any debris from the valve. You may need to remove the handle and stem to clean the drain valve.

Check the Hoses and Seals

You may also have a dripping faucet due to a broken hose seal. It is easy to find a broken hose seal during the inspection of the faucet. If you see any crack in the hose or its seal, inspect the condition of the hose. Replace the broken hose with a new one.

How To Fix a Dripping Faucet?

Fixing a leaky faucet is tricky if you are doing it for the first time. There are so many tiny parts in the faucet. You need to inspect them one by one to find out the reason for the leak. But above we have already discussed reasons for a dripping faucet after the water is turned off. So, you can check them and save time.

Once you’ve identified the cause of the leak or drip, it becomes easy to fix the repair.

Sometimes, we don’t have time to replace the part, so you can try a quick fix. Use a sealant to plug the drip of the faucet.

For a permanent fix try this solution.

Shutting the water off is always our first priority before starting any plumbing work. It will save from having water gushing all over the kitchen floor.
Turn on the handle and let the residual water drains out.
Cover the drain with a cloth to prevent from falling any faucet part into it.
Now carefully disassemble the faucet handle. Maybe your kitchen faucet handle has any screws or not. If the screw is visible remove it or if not, remove the cap of the handle and then remove the screw.
After removing the handle, find out the damaged parts that are causing dripping or leaking. Replace damaged parts whether it is a washer or o-rings or any other.
Now reassemble the handle and fit its screw.

Why Does Water Come Out From the Faucet When the Handle Is Off?

When we turn the faucet off, it is normal if water comes out for a few seconds from it. It happens due to the residual water in the faucet sprayer. This residual water comes out till the drain is completely empty.

Here are some common reasons why your faucet won’t turn off.

Water pressure is not normal. It is fluctuating and causing issues to turn off the faucet.
If an aerator is faulty, water will come out after turning the handle off.

Why Your Kitchen Faucet Won’t Turn Off?

The most common reason why your kitchen faucet won’t turn off is a loose handle. But you can fix it easily by tightening the screw of the handle.

If you are using a touchless or touch-activated faucet, there would be a timer. This timer turns off the water after a certain time period. This timer could be 3-4 minutes according to the faucet brand. If there is a problem with the timer, you may see the faucet won’t off easily.

On Sale

Delta Essa Leak-Free Kitchen Faucet (Best Rated)

DIAMOND Seal Technology reduces leak points, MagnaTite Docking, Designed to fit single-hole or 3-hole, 8-inch configurations

Conclusion

The kitchen is one of the busy parts of the house and a dripping or leaking faucet is an annoying thing in such a busy area. When you find out why faucet dripping after water turned off, as soon as possible, you should fix the issue. With our guide, you are sure to find out the cause and easily fix it. It will save you time and keep the kitchen clean.

🚀 Editor's Picks From Amazon For Our Readers