Repair Leaking Faucet

One of the sure fire ways to go insane is to listen to a faucet drip….drip…drip! Faucets drip all over the world and someone is trying to tighten something so that the drip stops…it doesn’t! Parts are worn out and they need to be replaced.

Newer faucets do not have as many parts as older faucets, but they do need some repairs and the repair is usually a defective or worn out washer. To repair a faucet you must turn off the water. On the top of most faucets is a little cap with either a C or H on it and this cap pops off and underneath is a small screw, loosen this screw to get the handle off so that you can remove the handle and sometimes a decorative sleeve exposing the actual faucet stem. Using the correct size wrench gently loosen the stem and remove and on the bottom of this stem you will see a rubber washer and it will probably be worn and need to be replaced. The washer must be replaced with the same kind of washer the manufacture specifies or the faucet will leak. A screw holds this washer on, so gently loosen to get the old washer off. Replace the washer and gently reinstall the valve stem and replace the handle and the facet should not leak. If it still leaks then it is not tightened correctly or the metal parts are worn out. Tighten a little more to see if this solves the problem, if not, you have to replace the faucet and you should consult a professional as there are tricks to replacing faucets so that you do not damage other parts of the sink.

Older faucets have more parts to that can wear out and leak and they are generally harder to get apart because of age. The older leaky faucets have a screw in the top and you must get that out to get to the valve stem, just be careful. Remove the screw and then carefully remove the valve stem to see what kind of washer situation exists, sometimes there will just be a rubber washer, sometimes there will be a rubber washer and a rubber o/ring and sometimes there may be a brass washer. The washers must be replaced with the exact washer configuration to make the repair work, do not try to force a washer that is too large into the valve end; they still make the size washers you need. Again, all these washers will be held in by a screw that you need to remove, carefully to make the repair. After you have replaced all the worn parts replace the valve and then the replace the handle, tighten only enough to do the job, and turn on to see if the leak has stopped. If tightening has not stopped the leak you probably need to replace the faucet.

Faucet leaks can drive you crazy, but tearing apart a faucet and not being able to actually do the repair will send you over the top, so if you are not handy call a professional.