A leaky faucet is much more than just a mild annoyance. In fact, it may actually be a sign of much larger problems which may end up costing you in the long run, not to mention the wastage of water which is adding up in your water bill.
Depending on the cause, a leaky faucet may either be a large scale issue or a simple malfunction. One thing, however, is for sure: it is imperative to address a leaky faucet immediately. Luckily, fixing a leaky faucet isn’t as difficult as you might think.
Step 1 Turn off Your Water Supply
Before you get started, make sure to turn off your water supply. While it may seem like an obvious prerequisite, there is no telling what may slip your mind. Forgetting to turn off your water supply may lead to much bigger cleaning and collecting problems.
Step 2 Remove Any Design Elements from the Faucet
Before you can start diagnosing the issue, it is necessary to remove the various bells and whistles from the faucets. The decorative parts of the knobs can be removed using a flat head screwdriver. Once you remove the knobs, you will be able to see a screw which attaches the handle to the stem. The handle should also be removed using the flat head. If you’re having trouble turning the handle, you can use oil to loosen it.
Step 3 Loosen the Packing Nut Using a Wrench
Once you have used your wrench to loosen the nut, you should have a clear view of the stem. Remove the stem as well. In some cases, the stem may pop right off without any effort. In other cases, however, you may be required to twist and remove the stem. Once removed, check the part for any damage.
Step 4 Inspect the O Ring
If you have been unable to diagnose the cause of the leak up till now, then chances are the problem is with the O ring or the washer. These should be visible in the valve seat. If damaged, remove and replace them.
Having the right fit of O rings and washers is crucial to the correction because an incorrect size will lead you back to the same issue. Make sure to take your faulty washer with you in order to purchase the right size.
Step 5 Reassemble
Now that you have addressed all possible problems and replaced the parts of the faucet, you will need to reassemble it. Place the washer and O ring in the valve seat, followed by the packing nut, the screw, and then the handle. If there are no problems, proceed with adding the decorative elements.
If, however, there are still issues with leakage, get in touch with a professional plumber immediately, since there may be broken plumbing involved.