A reverse osmosis faucet that keeps dripping after you close it is a common annoyance in St. Louis kitchens. The good news is that most drips are simple to narrow down. A few careful checks can tell you whether the problem is at the faucet, at the storage tank, or somewhere along the feed line, and that makes any service call faster and cheaper to sort out.
Start With Where the Water Is Coming From
Look closely before you touch anything. A drip from the spout itself usually points to the faucet valve or a worn seal inside it. A drip from the base where the faucet meets the counter often points to a loose mounting nut or a worn gasket. Water that collects under the sink points to a connection somewhere along the thin tubing. Also notice whether the drip is steady or only happens after the faucet has been closed for a while. That detail is useful to share if you later ask someone to look at the unit.
Check the Spout and Tip
Small bits of sediment can sit on the valve seat and keep it from closing fully. Start with the spout tip or aerator if your faucet has one. Unscrew it gently, rinse it under clean water, and look for grit or debris. Wipe the tip with a soft cloth. Do not force a stuck part, and do not use metal tools that could scratch the finish. If the drip stops once the tip is clean and the spout is back together, you have likely solved the problem.
Look at the Handle and Cartridge
If the handle feels loose or sits at a different angle than it used to, the internal parts may not be seating correctly. Tighten the mounting hardware carefully, since overtightening can crack plastic components. A faucet with a worn cartridge often drips even when the handle is fully closed. Replacing a cartridge is a common repair, but it does require shutting off the water supply first and matching the part to your faucet. If you are not sure which part you have, take a clear photo of the faucet and its markings before you order anything.
Inspect the Feed and Storage Valves
Before you open the faucet for any internal work, close the feed valve that supplies the reverse osmosis unit. Then check the valve that controls water going into the storage tank. Some homeowners find that a valve was left partly open after a filter change or a previous repair, which can allow pressure to build up and push water past the faucet seal. Make sure each valve is fully closed or fully open as its label or setup calls for, and avoid using a valve as a stop position if it is not designed for that purpose.
Check the Tubing and Fittings
Look at the tubing that runs from the faucet down to the unit and then to the tank. Kinks, cracks, or tubing pushed out of a fitting can leak in ways that look like a faucet drip. Gently push each tube fully into its fitting and make sure the release collar sits flat. Dry the area thoroughly and watch it for a while. If water appears again, the leak is in the fitting or the tube, not the faucet.
When to Stop and Call for Service
Stop your own checks and call for help if the drip continues after you have cleaned the tip, confirmed the valves, and inspected the tubing. Also stop if you see water pooling under the cabinet, damp cabinet floor, or any sign that the storage tank is leaking. Those signs suggest a problem that needs a qualified plumber or the unit's own support line, and continuing to take parts apart can make the repair harder. Keep notes on what you checked and what you saw, since that will help whoever comes out to look at the system.
A dripping faucet is rarely an emergency, but it can waste water and damage cabinets over time. Working through the steps above in order, from the spout to the valves to the tubing, gives you a clear picture of the cause. For many St. Louis homeowners, that is enough to decide whether a simple cleaning will fix it or whether it is time to bring in help.