Fix a Leaking American Standard Kitchen Faucet
American Standard kitchen faucets use the ball faucet design, which features a single handle over a dome-shaped cap. Within the faucet assembly is a large ball, which rotates with the handle and mixes hot and cold water until the desired temperature is reached. Beneath the ball are three rubber seals. When these seals wear out, the faucet will leak. Ball faucet repair kits are readily available for American Standard kitchen faucets, and installing the replacement parts is simple.
Instructions
1. Rotate the two in-line water supply valve handles underneath the sink in a clockwise direction to turn the water off.
2. Lift the faucet handle up and locate the single set screw at the base of the handle.
3. Remove the single set screw from the base of the faucet handle with an Allen wrench, then pull the handle off the top of the faucet assembly to expose the faucet cap.
4. Grasp the ribbed base of the faucet cap with adjustable pliers, then turn the cap in a counterclockwise direction until the cap detaches from the faucet assembly to expose the circular cam.
5. Pull the circular cam out of the faucet assembly, followed by the rubber cam washer underneath the cam.
6. Grasp the rod at the top of the metal ball, then pull the ball out of the faucet assembly to access the three rubber valve seals and the seal springs.
7. Insert the tip of a Phillips head screwdriver into the center of each rubber valve seal, then pry the seals out of the assembly. Each seal's spring will be removed with the seal as one piece.
8. Insert the replacement valve seal springs into the replacement valve seals, then press the seals into position within the base of the faucet assembly.
9. Lower the replacement metal ball onto the top of the three valve seals.
10. Position the replacement cam washer onto the top of the metal ball, followed by the circular cam.
11. Center the faucet cap onto the top of the faucet assembly, then twist the cap onto the assembly with adjustable pliers until the cap is tight.
12. Place the faucet handle onto the top of the faucet cap, then tighten the set screw at the base of the handle with an Allen wrench.
13. Twist each in-line water supply valve handle in a counterclockwise direction to restore the water supply.
