Several years ago, I ran into a snag with my Delta faucet: it wouldn’t turn off completely, swivel, or get hot. As someone who enjoys a smooth-running kitchen, this was both surprising and inconvenient. Driven by the need to solve this, I researched and experimented to find effective solutions for each of these issues.
If your Delta faucet won’t turn off completely, it’s often due to a worn-out rubber seat and spring under the handle. To fix this, turn off the water supply, remove the handle, and replace the rubber seat and spring. These parts are usually available at hardware stores and are simple to install with basic tools.
When a Delta faucet won’t swivel, it’s typically because of mineral deposits built up in the swivel joint. To resolve this, turn off the water supply, disassemble the faucet to access the swivel joint, and clean out any debris or mineral deposits. You can use a solution of equal parts vinegar and water to dissolve the buildup. After cleaning, reassemble the faucet and turn on the water supply.
If your Delta faucet isn’t getting hot, it might be due to a malfunctioning or improperly set mixing valve. This valve controls the mix of hot and cold water. To adjust it, locate the valve under the sink or behind the faucet, and adjust the settings according to the manufacturer’s instructions. If the valve is defective, replacing it may be necessary for restoring proper hot water flow.
Throughout this article, you’ll also learn the following info:
- How to repair your Delta Faucet
- What parts to check for damage or debris build-up
- The tools you will need to fix your Delta faucet
- How you can prevent any of the common problems from occurring
Delta Faucet Won’t Turn Off
Troubleshooting your Delta faucet starts with inspecting the faucet handles and ensuring they are in a completely closed position. Sometimes you might forget to fully close both sides of a dual-handle faucet system, which may make water drip continuously.
Even a small faucet leaking water can waste up to more than three gallons of water every day. Fixing a leaky faucet and ensuring the Delta faucet turns off ensures that you are not wasting water.
Common Causes of Running Faucets
Usually, worn rubber washers are the cause of a faucet that keeps running water. Rubber washers are attached to the taps, and over time, these rubber washers compress until it becomes worn down. Worn washers can cause dripping and running faucets that won’t turn off as the rubber washer no longer covers the faucet’s opening.
Delta faucets that do not have these washers, such as ball, cartridge-style, or disc washers, can contain plastic or metal parts that can also wear down and degrade over time. These parts are also highly susceptible to mineral deposits in the water, preventing the faucet from sealing.
Check the Faucet
According to Delta, single-lever handle ball (non-cartridge) faucets are the most common household type of faucet but can have constant water drips or leaks. To check the faucet, follow these steps:
- Turn off the supply lines to the cold and hot water, which are usually knobs underneath your sink. Afterward, turn on the faucet to drain the water entirely from the pipes.
- After removing the cover on the faucet handle, lift off the handle to check the faucet cap and adjust the ring. Check to see if the spout of your Delta faucet is leaking.
- If water is leaking, then tighten the ring with pliers. If the sprout is still leaking water, you will need to replace the Delta faucet’s seats and springs.
- Remove the adjusting ring and unscrew the cap that covers the ring. If you are having difficulty unscrewing the cap, soak a rag with a vinegar and water solution to loosen the mineral deposits that are making the cap stick.
- Remove your current set of seats and springs located at the bottom of the valve and remove the parts from both the faucet’s hot and cold sides.
- Insert new seats and springs into their respective niches in the valve. Screw the cap to the valve, replace and tighten the adjusting ring.
- After reinstalling the handle, turn on the water supply valves and check to see if there is dripping.
Clean the Faucet Parts
You will need to take apart the faucet to remove these pieces to clean the mineral deposits and check for any deterioration. While you can soak the faucet’s plastic or metal parts in vinegar, a vinegar solution will degrade the rubber washers, so you should ultimately replace them.
Delta Faucet Won’t Swivel
Delta’s ball, cartridge, and specific standard disc type of faucets feature spouts with the ability to swivel and facilitate water. While it depends on the model, these spouts are usually not attached directly to the main body that regulates the flow of water. If the spout is too tight or the o-rings become stiff due to mineral deposits, debris, or incorrect assembly, then the faucet will not be able to swivel.
Grease the O-Rings
If your Delta faucet doesn’t swivel, you need to remove the pull-out spout and let the hose drop into the body of the faucet. Then, remove the lever’s handle and the parts of the valve, and then pull the spout straight upwards. Grab some plumber’s silicone grease and apply it to the o-rings, then reassemble it.
Do not use regular petroleum-based grease because it may cause deterioration to the o-rings, which can eventually cause them to leak. Test your Delta faucet to see how it operates as it should swivel.
Delta Faucet Won’t Get Hot
The lack of hot water can either be a simple fix, such as turning the water valve back on under the sink or could suggest that you need to make a significant repair.
Narrow Down Possibilities and Repair
Switch the hot water valve on, as the flow of hot water may have been restricted if the valve was not completely open. If the valve is open, try another faucet in the house using the hot water. If the Delta faucet does not have hot water, the issue could stem from your household’s hot water boiler/heater. Call a professional to service any problems with your water heater.
If the water heater is working and every other faucet has hot water, disassemble the faucet. The hot water port in the single-handle cartridge Delta faucet may be experiencing a blockage due to mineral deposits. Use white vinegar to clean these deposits and reassemble the faucet. If you do not notice an improvement with the hot water flow, remove and replace the cartridge.
Delta Faucet Has No Water Pressure
Depending on the Delta faucet model, the flow restrictors required for aerators on the faucet can clog, resulting in reduced water flow rates.
Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on December 6, 2020.
Flush the Faucet
Remove the aerator from the Delta faucet and make sure the flow restrictor does not have any build-up that may clog. Turn the faucet handles fully on hot and cold and flush the water lines for approximately two minutes before turning off the water using the faucet handles. Afterward, replace the aerator on the Delta faucet. Flushing the system can help reduce the frequencies and avoid potential blockage on future clogs.
Remove Large Debris
There may often be significant debris or foreign material in the water lines that may be too large to pass through the faucet. This blockage can reduce water pressure drastically. To remove the debris:
- Shut off the water supply lines and remove all the faucet’s internal components.
- Then, turn the water supplies back on and run the lines for approximately one minute.
- Turn the water supplies back off and reassemble the faucet.
- Then try to see if the water pressure improves.
EPA Code Mandates
According to the EPA code mandates, all new faucets manufactured since 1994 are restricted to conserve water. Older faucets do not have these restrictions, which is why your new faucet might have reduced water flow in comparison to your older faucet. Beyond the flow restriction, newer installations of faucets can have a reduction of water flow if the water supply lines are not flushed beforehand.
Contact a Professional
Depending on the malfunctioning part, you may be able to make an easy repair using Delta’s Common Repair Parts Finder Tool to find a specific repair part for your faucet. You can also contact Delta’s Customer Service team by sending a message or filling out their contact form. Check your warranty for your faucet, as the Delta Faucet Company will replace or repair the product without any fee if the item is determined to be defective.
Final Thoughts
Your Delta faucet’s performance depends on many factors. If there are faulty parts such as worn down washers or rings, or if there is a noticeable amount of debris clogging up your supply lines, then your Delta faucet will not be able to work correctly. Properly maintaining your faucet and water lines will ensure that you will get continuous water flow into your household.
ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on December 6, 2020.