Kohler Kitchen Faucet Leaking at Swivel – Troubleshooting

No matter how much I tightened the handle of my faucet, it kept on leaking. I expected it to stop within a few days – but it didn’t.

So, I started wondering – why is my Kohler kitchen faucet leaking at swivel?

Now, there can be various reasons, but since the leak is at the swivel specifically, it is due to the damaged spout seal kit. Other than that, it can also be due to corroded valve seats, damaged washers, and more.

But that’s not all we are going to focus on here. In this article, you will learn how to fix a leaking Kohler faucet, when to repair it, when to replace and more.

Why Is the Kohler Faucet Leaking from Spout Swivel?

Did your Kohler faucet recently start leaking from its spout swivel?

Well, before you start wondering what might be wrong with your faucet, here are some reasons you can consider.

Damaged Spout Seal Kit

When the Kohler faucet starts leaking at the swivel joint, the first blame goes to the spout seal kit. And the blame is reasonable – this kit is responsible for keeping all the water inside without letting it drip out.

Corroded Valve Seat

Now if you see that your spout seal kit is just fine, then the next thing that you can blame is the valve seat. If the valve seat gets terribly corroded, then chances are that it will not function properly anymore – hence, the faucet will leak.

Damaged Washer

Has the gasket or the washer of your faucet stopped working properly?

In that case, you are most likely to see water dripping from the swivel joint. To find out this issue, you will most likely need to disassemble your faucet first.

Loose O-ring

Lastly, your Kohler faucet might have a loose O-ring if it has not been installed properly.

So if you see the leaking issue a few days after installation, then this might be the case. It would still be better to get it checked to get to the core of the issue.

How to Stop the Kohler Kitchen Faucet from Leaking at the Swivel?

The good news is you can easily fix it if your Kohler kitchen faucet is leaking at the swivel. And here, we will be discussing how you can do it yourself without bearing extra costs.

Turn off Water Supply

Before anything, you need to turn the water supply off. Otherwise, chances are that you will be sprayed with water right in the next step.

For that, you need to find the water supply valve first and turn it right to cut the supply.

Disassemble the Faucet

Now, start disassembling the faucet. If this is your first time, then you can record the whole process to make sure you will put it back just the way it was.

Make sure to inspect the interiors well while you are at it to detect the problem better.

Inspect the Faucet and Find the Problem

After disassembling the whole faucet, start inspecting the components separately.

You can also clean the whole faucet in the process – in case there are mineral deposits and such. Eventually, you will find where the issue is.

Fix/Replace as Required

Once you have found the root of the problem, you can fix it or replace it accordingly.

If you need replacement parts, then you can check Kohler’s website. On the other hand, you can also hire a plumber if any sort of complex replacement is required.

Reassemble the Faucet

If you could fix it yourself, then you should reassemble the faucet. Make sure everything goes back to the way it was.

After fixing it, you can turn the water supply on and check if the faucet works properly or not.

Repair Vs. Replace – What to Do When Kohler Faucet Leaks?

Before you start looking through the cost of Kohler replacement parts, you should at least determine when you should replace the faucet and when you should repair it.

Here, we will discuss the scenarios with the most appropriate solutions.

Repair the Faucet

If you have recently installed the faucet and found no problems with the components, then there was some issue with the installation itself. That is, the faucet was not installed properly.

In that case, you can reinstall the faucet using a deep rough-in kit. If you are not sure that you can do it properly, then use the help of a professional.

Replace Faucet Parts

In case the O-ring is loose or damaged, you need to replace it. At the same time, if there is an issue with the valve, then it is best to replace the spout assembly.

Similarly, if the spout seal kit itself is damaged, then you should replace it using a compatible replacement.

1. Replace the Faucet Entirely

Have you found out that there is something wrong with the brass yoke of the faucet?

In that case, you will have to replace the faucet entirely. There are no replacement parts for that, so you have no other option.

Frequently Asked Questions

2. How do you fix a leaking Kohler kitchen faucet?

At first, you need to get to the cause of the problem. Then you will need to replace the damaged parts or the faucet itself according to that. If you are not able to find the problem yourself, then you can hire a plumber.

3. How do you tighten a swivel faucet?

For this, you will basically have to tighten the handle of the swivel faucet. You need to start by cutting off the water supply, then remove the set screws on the handle and reattach them to make sure they are properly tightened.

4. Why is my kitchen faucet leaking around the base?

Your kitchen faucet might be leaking due to a few reasons around the base. For instance, if the faucet contains a faulty spout seal kit, then it is sure to leak. Or if it has a damaged valve seat or a loose O-ring.

5. What is the most common reason why the faucet leaks?

The most common reason for faucets to leak is either a corroded valve seat or a damaged cartridge. There can be many other reasons as well, but those are not as prominent as these.

Final Words

So, why was your Kohler kitchen faucet leaking at swivel?

Have you figured it out yet? Well, there is no rush – take your time and figure out the problem to give it a permanent fix.