A leaky faucet can waste a lot of water. Even one drip per second can add up to a significant amount of water wasted each year.
If a squeaky faucet persists after applying some grease, there could be internal damage that requires professional plumbing repair. Irregular water flow can also be indicative of the need for a replacement. Visit https://myjoeplumber.com for professional help.
The drip-drip-drip of a leaky faucet can drive you crazy and lead to higher water bills. But don’t dial the plumber just yet. With some close inspection and a few basic tools, you can likely take care of this fix yourself. Leaks occur for a variety of reasons, but the most common cause is simply worn parts. Replacing rubber or neoprene seals, washers, and O-rings is usually the easiest way to stop the leaks.
If the leak is near the spout, it may be due to a corroded valve seat. This component connects the faucet to the spout and is usually made of brass. Over time, mineral deposits and other debris can corrode the valve seat, which leads to a leak. A professional can clean the valve seat and other functional parts to fix this issue, but it’s a good idea to do regular maintenance and inspection by a professional to avoid this type of problem in the first place.
A leaking handle can also be caused by an internal O-ring that has worn out. This ring fits around the inner brass body beneath the outer housing, sealing it against water. The O-ring is easy to replace, but you may have to remove the handle and decorative cap to access it. Purchase a replacement O-ring at the hardware store or plumbing supply outlet, and pick up a small tube of plumber’s grease while you’re there. Reassemble and test the faucet.
If you’re seeing a leak near the shut-off valves, it may be an issue with the valve or flexible supply tubes. Check the connections for wear and looseness, and tighten or repair as needed.
A leaking spout can be due to a number of issues, but most commonly, it’s caused by a cracked disc inside the cartridge. This is usually difficult to diagnose without removing the cartridge and handling it, so the best course of action is to purchase a replacement kit at the hardware or plumbing supply store. Look for a kit that specifically mentions your faucet’s brand and model to ensure compatibility.
Disassembly
Many types of faucets exist, and the process of repairing them can vary. It’s important to follow the right steps for your specific type of faucet to ensure that it gets fixed correctly. Before you begin the repair, shut off the water valves located under the sink to prevent any accidental leaks while you work. You should also close the drain to avoid losing any small but essential pieces that might fall in. Once everything is ready to go, it’s time to begin the disassembly.
Before you can remove the handle, you’ll need to loosen the screw that holds it on. You’ll also want to remove any decorative parts of the knobs that aren’t necessary for the functionality of the faucet. You can usually do this by using a flat-head screwdriver and prying the decorative part off. If you have trouble, you can use a little penetrating oil to help break up any rust or sediment that might be stuck in the screw’s threads. Once you’ve removed the handle, you can unscrew the set screw that connects it to the rest of the faucet. This should come off easily, but if not, you can always re-tighten it. Once the screw is out, you’ll be able to remove the cartridge and spout assembly.
If your faucet is a cartridge-style model, you’ll need to loosen the adjusting nut with a wrench or pliers to remove it. This will allow you to lift the plastic cam and packing off of the cartridge. Then you can remove the ball and replace it if it’s scratched, cracked, or worn. You can also replace the two rubber seats and springs.
If you’re working with a rotary or ceramic disk-style faucet, the order of disassembly will be different. You’ll need to unscrew the cap by turning it counterclockwise with a wrench, then you can unscrew the dome assembly underneath and remove the handle. You can also remove the metal handle adapter by turning it clockwise with a screwdriver and lifting off the plastic pivot stop. After removing all the parts, you can set them aside in the order you removed them, so they are easy to find when you reassemble the faucet.
Parts
A faucet is a complicated piece of machinery, so there are several parts that can be defective or worn out. Some of these components are easy to replace or repair, such as the washer, which controls water flow and pressure. Other components, such as the cartridge and spout O-rings, are more difficult to access, but they can be replaced or repaired using a few basic tools.
Before starting a faucet repair project, shut off the water supply to the fixture. The valve should be located under the sink and will usually have either a round handle with a lever or a small, football-shaped screw that is turned clockwise to open and counterclockwise to close. You should also shut off the main water line that enters your home from the water meter or the well pump.
After the water is off, remove the handles of the faucet by unscrewing them with a screwdriver. The screw that holds the handle in place may be hidden under a nameplate, water temperature indicator, or decorative cap, so you will need to remove these components to get to the screws. If the handles seem to be seized or stuck, try applying a little penetrating oil to help free them.
Once the handles are off, you will see the stem nut that holds the stem in place. You will need to loosen and remove this nut with a wrench. Then you will be able to pull the stem out, exposing the O-ring and seat washer, which can be cleaned or replaced as necessary.
A common problem for faucets is low water pressure, which could be caused by a number of issues. A faulty valve, damaged pipes, or a broken water pressure tank used in a well system can all cause low water pressure. If cleaning the washer, aerator, or valves doesn’t restore full water pressure, contact a professional plumber for more advice.
If your faucet is leaking around the base of the spout, the spout O-rings may need to be replaced. You can purchase spout O-ring kits designed for your specific faucet at a hardware or plumbing supply store, and it is a good idea to buy a small tube of plumber’s grease while you are there to protect the new rings from corrosion.
Repair
When a faucet is constantly leaking, it may be time to replace it. This is particularly true if it is over 10 to 20 years old, when parts often begin to break down. A new faucet will likely cost less than the repairs required to fix an existing one. Whether to repair or replace the faucet depends on several factors, including the type of leak and the complexity of the job.
Most dripping faucets occur around the handle area because of the loosening of washers, gaskets, or O-rings. Tightening the washers and o-rings or replacing them should stop the leak. If the adjusting ring or packing nut in the stream screw is loose, it will also cause the faucet to leak from the spout. A plumber should tighten this nut, but you can try to do it yourself by hand using a wrench or pipe wrench.
Once you have shut off the water supply and stopped the drain, remove the faucet handle by unscrewing the set screw with an Allen wrench or Phillips-head screwdriver. This exposes the valve stem assembly inside. You will now need to determine the type of faucet—a cartridge, ball, or ceramic disk—and the parts it uses.
Depending on the type of faucet, you will need to remove the cartridge retaining clip (sometimes called a spanner cap) or the cam and collar with adjustable pliers. If you have a ceramic-disk faucet, you will need to use needle-nose pliers to take out the inlet seal and springs. A plumber will replace these parts, but you can do it yourself if you have the proper tools.
After removing the cartridge and replacing worn parts, clean the cylinder openings by using distilled white vinegar and a scouring pad. Then you can replace the neoprene seals in the cylinder and insert the metal cylinder seat nut. Lastly, you will need to replace the washer on the bottom of the stem. This washer is responsible for the most common drips in a faucet, but you can replace it by unscrewing the metal stem hex nut and pulling it straight up.
