Repairing Your Food Truck's Leaky Faucet

Food truck kitchens are where food truck owners make their money. At the same time, if you are spending time and effort to keep your kitchen appliances up and running properly, it can be where food truck owners lose money (ie a leaky faucet).

Almost any mobile food business that cooks on board is required by ordinance to have both a hand sink and three compartment sink. To get water into these appliances, you have to connect them to your water system which includes a faucet. Water faucets are common items which break down over time.

Not only are leaky faucets annoying but having them replaced is an unwanted expense. A quick and simple way to save a few bucks over the life of your food truck is repairing a leaky faucet yourself.

Step by step process to fix a leaky faucet in your food truck:

Follow these easy steps to repairing a leak faucet to keep your food truck kitchen operating on all cylinders.

Turn Off the Water and Remove the Handle

Turn off the water at the valves under the sink, and turn on the faucet to allow all of the water to drain out.
Make sure the drains are plugged to prevent small parts from falling in.
Use an Allen wrench to loosen the setscrew on the faucet handle, then remove the handle. Be sure to line up the faucet parts in the order in which you remove them. This will help you remember the correct order for reassembly.

Remove the Bonnet, and Ball and Cam Assembly

Use slip-joint pliers to remove the chrome bonnet. Wrap masking tape around the teeth of the pliers to avoid damaging the chrome.
Remove the ball and cam assembly.

Remove the Springs

Fish out the springs and packing pieces with needle nose pliers.
Clean out any sediment or buildup from inside the faucet.
Remove the O-Rings and Diverter
Grab the spout with both hands, and work it back and forth to loosen it. Then remove it from the faucet face.
Use the spanner to remove the O-rings, and use needle nose pliers to remove the diverter. Clean any sediment or buildup from the faucet face.

Reassemble the Components

Press the new diverter into place, and install the new O-rings. Install the top O-ring first.
Coat the O-rings with packing grease.

Attach the Spout

Press the spout back into place. Use both hands, and press firmly.
Use the spanner and Allen wrench as a guide to slide the springs and packing pieces into place.

Finish the Installation

Place the faucet ball into its slot.
Install the cam and cam packing.
Reinstall the chrome bonnet and handle.
Turn on the water and check for leaks.

The Bottom Line

By doing this work yourself, you can save a lot of time and money by not having to either deal with or wait for a plumber to complete this job. While a leaky faucet may not cost you a lot of down time, the time required to have the work done could keep your truck off the road until the work is completed.

Have any additional leaky faucet tips we missed? We’d love to hear them. Share your thoughts on this topic in the comment section, our food truck forum or on social media. Facebook | Twitter