The sound of a dripping faucet can be really annoying, even at the best of times. The noise tends to grate on anyone’s nerves after a while, not to mention it can waste a lot of water. Thankfully, though, with just a few simple steps, you can get your leaky faucet fixed in no time!1. Gather Your Materials
When you’re fixing a leaking faucet, your toolbox will be your best friend. You don’t have to be a handyman to deal with a dripping faucet – there are just a few tools you’ll want to pick up at a hardware store. Here is what you will want to make sure you have at hand:
- Adjustable C-wrench
- Phillips-Head and flathead screwdrivers
- Replacement o-rings/washers
- WD-40 or a similar oil
Shut Off Your Water
Once you have your tools ready, there are a few things to remember before you attempt any repairs on your leaking faucet. Make sure that both cold and hot water supply lines have been cut by turning off their respective valves. You will want to turn the valves counterclockwise to shut them off. To make sure they are turned off, turn on the tap as a quick test.
Remove the Cap from the Handle Knob
Once the water is off, go ahead and remove the decorative cap from the handle knob with a flathead screwdriver. After the cap has been removed, you should see a small screw that attaches the handle to the faucet’s stem. You can take out this screw using your Phillips-Head screwdriver. Now, you should be able to take the handle off the stem.
Remove the Faucet Stem
To remove the packing nut, get your adjustable C-wrench and loosen it up. Once you do that, you should be able to see the stem. Depending how your faucet is set up, the stem may pop right out. If not, you may have to twist it off from the valve. Be sure to check all of the parts for any damage or wear and tear after you remove the stem.
Change the Rubber Ring and Washer
At this stage, you will want to replace the O-ring that is positioned around the middle of the stem. This rubber ring needs to be replaced with one that is exactly the same size; you will run into problems if it doesn’t fit properly! Next, you will want to replace the washer. The O-ring and washer are the two most likely causes of your dripping faucet, and you will want to make sure the new parts you use are the correct size. This should help make sure the dripping stops.
Replace the Faucet
After you have replaced the washer and O-ring, be sure to carefully reassemble your faucet in reverse order of removal. Over-tightening anything could cause leaks and other issues, so you will want to make sure you dont over-tighten anything. Once you are done, simply test things out by turning on the water. If you still notice dripping or leaking, it may be time to call a professional plumber for more advanced repairs, as this could be a sign that you have a larger problem, such as corrosion of the valve or torn seals. Aprofessional plumberwill be able to remedy these issues.
Check out this article for some additional ideas!
How to determine the cause of a leaky faucet
How to determine the cause of a leaky faucet
It’s best to always be vigilant of dripping faucets, as a single leaky fixture can waste 20 gallons of water a day! Give your sink a once-over to try to identify the source of the leak. If water is pooling around the stem of the faucet, you most likely need to replace the O-ring or tighten the packing nut. If the leak is coming from the spout, there’s most likely a problem with the faucet handle. At this point, it’s helpful to have some knowledge about which type of faucet is in your home. The Spruce explained that a cartridge faucet is most common in modern homes, and you’ll typically need to replace the cartridge. A compression faucet, on the other hand, is more typical in older homes. The rubber seals can wear out over time, so replacing them can usually remedy a dripping faucet.
What you’ll need
Many of the tools you’ll need to stop a leaky faucet can already be found in your tool box. SFGate Home Guides recommended gathering these materials before your get to work:
Rags - for easy clean up White vinegar - for cleaning along the way and loosing grim buildup in the spout Phillips and flat-head screwdriver - to remove the screw Replacement parts - to swap out the failed components Here https://www.homeserve.com/en-us/blog/how-to/fix-leaky-faucet/
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