There are a variety of things that can go wrong with the faucets in your home; sometimes it’s a minor fix, and sometimes the entire faucet needs replacing. Here, we will show you how to save a call to a plumber by doing some basic DIY Faucet Repair.
Fixing a Leak
A drippy faucet is one of the most annoying plumbing problems, but it is also one of the simplest to repair. A steadily dripping faucet can add hundreds of dollars to your yearly water bill, and if more than one faucet in your home has an issue, the costs can really add up.
Drips are caused by seepage from the external water supply. Water comes into your home under significant pressure, and a watertight seal usually holds it back when the faucet is turned off. When the washer pressed against the seat of the faucet isn’t tight enough, water can get through and cause a drip. To stop the leak, all you’ll need to do is repair the faucet seat or replace the small washer.
Disassembling a Compression-Type Faucet
Compression faucets come in a variety of styles. No matter what yours looks like, or whether it has one or two handles, it works according to the same basic principles. Below are some tips on disassembling such a faucet and stopping leaks.
Cut off the water supply, and remove the faucet handle by removing the small screw at the back or the top. On some faucets, the screw is hidden by a plastic or metal cover. If the screw is rusted or too tight, use a penetrating catalyst such as WD-40 to loosen it.
Remove the faucet handle and examine the assembly. Use an adjustable wrench or slip joint pliers to remove the packing nut, taking care not to scratch the metal. Remove the spindle or stem by turning it the same way as you would if you were turning the faucet on.
Remove the screw holding the washer against the faucet seat, using penetrating catalyst if required. Examine the screw, washer and stem, replacing if necessary.
Your faucet is an often-overlooked but very important part of your home. After all, you wouldn’t have running water without it! We hope these Faucet Repair tips have been helpful, but if you’re still dealing with a leak, call professional Plumbers for help.
