How to troubleshoot dripping sink sprayer?

[brewer12345]

Our kitchen sink has a hand held sprayer attachment in addition to the regular faucet.  Whenever the water is running in the kitchen to feed either the main faucet or the dishwasher, the sprayer drips pretty much constantly.  It also has a nasty tendency to stay on once you use it and it can be quite hard to get it to let the main faucet have the water supply back.  The dripping is the real problem that has to be dealt with, obviously.

I am completely not handy at all, but I would really rather not call a plumber.  Can anyone tell me what I need to do in order to troubleshoot this problem?  Use real plain English, as I have no idea what I am dealing with.

[Greg]

If you are not very handy, the best option is to replace it.  They're pretty cheap, about $10, and generic versions are available.

Turn off the water valves under the sink, find the faucet-end of the sprayer line under there, use a wrench to undo it, and take it to your local hardware store to find a match.  Install the new one, and turn on the water valves.  Check for leaks under the sink.

If you are into taking things apart to see how they work, you could diagnose and possibly fix the sprayer.  But it could be worn out or need parts that may not be available separately.  Usually it's an o-ring or other seal gone bad, and the not-shutting-off thing is a weak spring.  The water should be turned off again, and then the sprayer handle usually comes apart by removing a plastic plug over a screw on the sprayer tip, then the screw, and from there it's figure it out as you go.

[brewer12345]

Thanks!  Replacement sounds like the thing to do and it sounds pretty easy.

[Nords]

I am completely not handy at all, but I would really rather not call a plumber.  Can anyone tell me what I need to do in order to troubleshoot this problem?  Use real plain English, as I have no idea what I am dealing with.

The easiest way to educate yourself on the vocabulary and "repair vs replace" is Family Handyman's website.  For example,
http://www.familyhandyman.com/plumbing/faucet-repair/how-to-fix-a-leaking-sink-sprayer/view-all
claims that there may be problem with a diverter valve in the main faucet. 

You're having the sprayer problem when the dishwasher is running too so I agree that replacing the sprayer is the best first step, but if that doesn't work then you end up having to do more troubleshooting.

The good news is that in a few months you'll have plenty of time to read Family Handyman!

[BC_Goldman]

I had the same problem when I moved into my condo. For a while I just left the sprayer hanging over the sink but I eventually tried my hand at fixing it. For me, all I had to to was take the sprayer assembly apart and clean it. Once I reassembled it, the problem disappeared.