How to Fix a Leaky Faucet

DIY Plumbing: Conquer That Drippy Faucet!

A dripping faucet is annoying, right? It wastes water and jacks up your water bill. But guess what? Fixing it is usually pretty easy! With a few tools and some patience, you can save money and stop that annoying drip. This guide will show you how.

What Kind of Faucet Do You Have?

First, figure out what type of faucet you have. There are a few common types:

• Compression Faucets: These older faucets have separate hot and cold handles. They work by squeezing a rubber washer.
• Ball Faucets: One handle controls both temperature and water flow. Think of a ball inside controlling everything.
• Cartridge Faucets: Similar to ball faucets, but use a cartridge with all the parts inside.
• Ceramic Disc Faucets: These use ceramic discs to control water. Pretty slick!

Next, find where the leak is. Is it dripping from the spout? The handle? Knowing this helps you figure out what part to replace.

Tools You'll Need

Getting your tools ready makes the job much easier. Here's what you'll probably need:

• Screwdrivers (Phillips and Flathead): To remove handles and stuff.
• Adjustable Wrench: For tightening and loosening nuts.
• Basin Wrench: Special wrench for hard-to-reach nuts under the sink. Trust me, you want one of these.
• Pliers (Needle-nose and Channel-lock): For grabbing small parts.
• Putty Knife: To remove old plumber's putty.
• Replacement Parts: This depends on your faucet type. Think O-rings, washers, cartridges, etc.
• Plumber's Putty: Makes a watertight seal.
• Shop Towels: To keep things clean and dry.
• Bucket: To catch any spilled water.

Fixing a Leaky Compression Faucet

These are usually pretty straightforward to fix. Here's how:

1. Turn off the water: Find the shut-off valves under the sink. Turn them clockwise to shut off the water.
2. Remove the handles: Unscrew the caps and remove the screws holding the handles. Pull them off.
3. Remove the packing nuts: These are under the handles. Use your wrench to carefully loosen and remove them.
4. Remove the stems: The stems (with the washers) should come out easily.
5. Replace the washers: Put in the new washers, making sure they're seated properly.
6. Put it back together: Reverse the steps above, tightening everything securely.
7. Turn the water back on: Slowly turn the water back on and check for leaks.

Fixing a Leaky Ball Faucet

Ball faucets are a bit different:

1. Turn off the water: Same as before – turn off the water first!
2. Remove the handle: There's usually a setscrew under a cap. Remove it and pull off the handle.
3. Remove the retaining clip and ball assembly: Carefully remove these.
4. Inspect the seals and springs: Check for wear and tear.
5. Replace worn parts: Replace anything that looks bad.
6. Reassemble: Put everything back carefully.
7. Turn the water back on: Check for leaks.

Troubleshooting

Sometimes things don't go perfectly. Here are some common problems:

• Persistent dripping: The parts might not be seated correctly, or you might need to replace more parts.
• Faucet won't turn off: Probably a worn-out cartridge or ball assembly.
• Low water pressure: Check for mineral buildup in the aerator (the screen at the end of the spout).
• Leaks around the base: The plumber's putty seal might be bad. Remove the old putty and apply new putty.

When to Call a Pro

Some things are best left to the experts. Call a plumber if:

• You're not comfortable working with plumbing.
• You can't find the leak.
• It's still leaking after you've tried to fix it.
• There's a lot of leaking or water damage.
• You have a really weird faucet.

Save Money and Water!

Fixing your own leaky faucet saves you money and helps the environment. Plus, learning basic plumbing skills is empowering! Regular checks and maintenance will prevent small problems from becoming big, expensive ones.

More DIY Plumbing Tips

Here are some extra tips for long-term plumbing success:

• Regular inspections: Check your faucets regularly for leaks.
• Maintenance: Clean the aerators and faucet parts.
• Good parts: Use quality replacement parts.
• Measure carefully: Get the right size parts.
• Safety first: Always turn off the water before you start.

So there you have it! With these tips and a little elbow grease, you can conquer that leaky faucet. You'll be amazed at how satisfying it is – and how much money you save!