Regardless of how strong your kitchen faucet is, it will eventually face issues with time. For instance, if the faucet won’t turn off problem may occur. This problem occurs due to high water pressure, a damaged washer, any stuck parts, etc.
It may lead to the inability to turn off the faucet and water will be wasted. Being unable to turn off the kitchen tap handle can increase your water usage and water bill. Also, you can’t work with full efficiency.
Here is everything to know about why the faucet is not turning off and how you can fix it yourself.
On Sale
Delta Essa Faucet – A Durable and Convenient Faucet (Best Selling)
Reduces leak points and lasts twice as long as the industry standard, a powerful magnet to snap the sprayhead, touch-clean spray holes
What Are Faucet Types?
Either you can choose a single-handle faucet or a double-handle faucet. Control water flow and temperature with one handle in a single-handle faucet, in contrast to double-handle faucets, which have separate controls for water and temperature.
Both types are good but it depends on you what you require. People prefer single-handle taps because they are easy to install, take less space, and are easy to use. You also get a pull-out or pull-down option in the single-handle faucet. Brands Blanco, peerless, Delta, and Moen are good options for single-handle fixtures.
Why Faucet Won’t Turn Off?
1. There’s Too Much Water Pressure
People want high water pressure from the faucet. But it sometimes becomes a headache. High water pressure can cause the faucet won’t turn off issue.
High water pressure is extremely powerful. It will slowly damage integral parts of the faucet. At first, you can’t see the damage but later it will cause major issues like the faucet won’t turn off. The main reason for high water pressure is municipal water pressure.
According to geographic conditions, municipal departments change the water pressure level. People who live at normal sea levels will get more water pressure than people living at higher sea levels.
Solution:
Due to high pressure, the faucet won’t able to stop the water. You are trying to turn off the handle of the faucet but high water pressure won’t let you turn it off the faucet. If you have too much water pressure, you should reduce the water pressure by using the pressure-reducing valve.
2. Damaged Washer
If you are not able to turn off the faucet, maybe its washer is damaged. When you turn the handle, the washer is directed to the on or off position. It creates pressure on the seat which gives forces water to come out through the spout.
When you turn the handle into the off position, the washer creates a watertight seal that blocks the way of water and ensures no water flow.
But when the washer is damaged, it won’t create a watertight seal so the handle won’t remain in a fixed position. You will struggle to turn the faucet off.
Solution:
The washer is not visible from the outside, to check the washer’s condition, you need to remove the faucet handle. Follow these steps to replace the washer.
- Turn off the water supply to the faucet by turning off the shutoff valve.
- To remove the handle, you need to remove its screw or nut. Use a screwdriver for it. Carefully use a screwdriver, if it slips, it will make a scratch on the faucet.
- Now remove the handle. The washer is visible now. It will be secured with a screw or nut. If the washer is stuck, use WD-40 spray to remove it to loosen it.
- Remove the old washer and replace it with a new one. Put the handle back on the faucet and tighten it.
3. You Have an Older Faucet
The faucet won’t turn off issue comes generally into the older faucet. Older faucets are not able to handle too much pressure. If your faucet age is more than 15 years old, you should consider replacing it.
Parts of the older faucet won’t be in good condition. With time old faucets become useless. You will also face leakage issues with old faucets.
Solution:
If you have an older faucet, you should not waste time repairing it. You should replace it. Replacing a faucet is an easy DIY task. If you select the same type of faucet then the replacement becomes easy.
4. Something Is Stuck In The Faucet or Drain
If there is no water pressure issue, the washer is perfect, and the faucet is new, but still, your faucet is not turning off then maybe there is something stuck in the faucet. This stuck particle will prevent the faucet from turning off.
Solution:
If this is the situation, you need to open the handle, to see if there is any stuck particle inside it or not. When you open the handle, remove its parts and clean them with vinegar so the buildup will also be cleaned.
Why Does My Faucet Keeps Running After I Turn It Off?
If none of the above situations apply to you, your faucet may just be broken. If your faucet keeps running even after you turn it off, there may be a problem with its internal mechanism. A broken faucet won’t work well.
You have to replace the broken faucet. When you install a new faucet, you should upgrade it with the latest features such as touch-activated kitchen taps. It uses less water than traditional faucets.
How To Fix Faucet Handle That Is Hard To Turn?
If a faucet handle is not turning, either there is rust or buildup inside the handle. You need to clean these things to make the handle movement smooth.
Clean the inside of the fixture with vinegar. Vinegar is a safe cleaner to clean and remove buildup inside the kitchen fixture handle. To remove rust, use WD-40 cleaner. Spray it on the rust part and leave it for an hour.
On Sale
Delta Essa Faucet – A Durable and Convenient Faucet (Best Selling)
Reduces leak points and lasts twice as long as the industry standard, a powerful magnet to snap the sprayhead, touch-clean spray holes
Conclusion
If the kitchen faucet won’t turn off, you can repair it yourself. Hiring a plumber can be expensive. Fixing the water pressure, replacing damaged parts, remove stuck particles, are some solutions you should try for this problem. Depending on the faucet design, the repair procedure may change. Use the right tools to do this work to do it quickly and without any damage to the faucet. If you follow all the above solutions, you should be able to turn off the faucet easily.