Your dripping Delta faucet is not only annoying but also costing you money on your water bill. Fixing a dripping Delta washerless faucet depends on the type of washerless faucet you own. The two most common types are the ball faucet and the ceramic disc cartridge faucet. The ball type was the first washerless faucet manufactured by most major brands, including Delta, and is recognized by the ball at the end of the stem. The ceramic disc type is a replaceable cartridge. Replacement parts for Delta washerless faucets are available at home improvement centers.
Instructions
Ball Type Faucet
1. Turn off the two water supply valves under the kitchen sink. Turn on the faucet handle to release any residual water in the line, and turn the faucet back off again. Find the screw securing the handle to the top of the faucet. The screws is often under the curve of the handle. Remove the screw with a Phillips-head screwdriver, and pull the handle off the faucet.
2. Twist the faucet cap counterclockwise with your fingers. The faucet cap is the piece that sits between the handle and the top of the spout base. Remove the cap, and pull the faucet spout off the rest of the faucet.
3. Rotate the center cap that surrounds the ball stem counterclockwise with your fingers, and pull it away from the faucet. Lift the ball stem with your fingers, and set the ball stem aside. Remove the springs and seats in the bottom of the faucet with a small flat-head screwdriver. The rubber seats are visible in the bottom of the faucet cavity. The springs are on the back of the faucet seats.
4. Install new springs into the new faucet seats. The springs fit into the bottom of the seats. Insert the seats into the holes in the bottom of the faucet cavity, inserting the spring side first. Apply a thin film of petroleum jelly over the o-rings on the outside of the piece the faucet spout base fits over with your finger.
5. Set the ball stem back into the faucet cavity. Screw the center cap back into the faucet cavity. Slide the spout base over the faucet until the bottom of the base is flush with the top of the faucet base.
6. Thread the faucet cap onto the top of the spout base until it is hand-tight. Slide the handle into place and secure it with the securing screw. Turn the water supply back on, and test the faucet operation.
Disc Cartridge Type
7. Turn off the water supply, and remove the faucet handle. Unscrew the cap from the top of the faucet with your fingers.
8. Remove the bonnet sleeve that surrounds the ceramic disc with a pair of slip joint pliers. Pull the ceramic disc assembly straight out of the faucet. Take the ceramic disc to the store and match the new one against the old disc. This ensures you purchase the correct disc for your Delta faucet.
9. Insert the new disc assembly into the faucet. It will only go in one way. Thread the bonnet sleeve into the faucet body around the ceramic disc.
10. Thread the cap back onto the faucet until it is hand-tight. Reinstall the handle and secure it with the securing screw. Turn on the water supply and check the faucet operation.
