When your kitchen faucet starts to leak at the base, it may be caused by a broken plastic disc inside the cartridge. It's difficult to spot a cracked disc, and the repair is expensive. If you are unable to locate the leak, try replacing the seals or reassembling the faucet. Alternatively, you can replace the entire cartridge, but this can be time-consuming. Unscrew the stem Before you can repair your kitchen faucet, you should know how to remove the parts. To remove the cartridge, you'll need to unscrew the stem and seat. Next, you'll need to loosen the set screw that holds the handle in place. Then, you'll need to unscrew and remove the escutcheon cap and disk cylinder. To replace the seals, you'll need to clean the o-rings with vinegar and replace them. Then, you'll have to reassemble the faucet. Clean the interior of the faucet Once you've removed the cartridge, you need to clean the interior of the faucet. You can use distilled white vinegar or a scouring pad to clean the cylinder. After cleaning, you need to reassemble the faucet and test its functionality. If the leak persists, you'll need to replace the rubber o-rings with new ones. This is one of the most tedious, but most effective ways to fix a Website that is leaking at the base. Remove the plastic cover First, you'll need to remove the handles and the plastic cover. Remove the handles. To do this, unscrew the hex screw in the handle and turn the knob counterclockwise. Once the handle is loose, you can loosen the nut in the cartridge. If you're lucky enough, you can pull out the brass retainer clip from the base of the faucet using a knife. To fix a kitchen faucet that's leaking at the base, start by removing the rubber seats. They are often the source of the problem. You need to remove the screws, but be careful not to tear the rubber pieces apart. It's a good idea to have a wrench handy to lift the faucet. Afterwards, you should inspect each part carefully, and you might notice a damaged or worn O-ring seal. Replace the o-rings If the leak has spread to the base, it might be a loose nut underneath the handle. Taking it out will allow you to access the internal cartridge. Once you've removed the lever, lift the cartridge out of the faucet. Be sure to replace the o-rings. Make sure the new ball is tightly fastened. If it's still leaking, you'll need to replace the ball.