All of us can relate to the annoying dripping sound of water that keeps us up at night. A frequented plumbing problem, a leaky faucet is a common problem faced by many households. While it might not seem bad, it can turn into a big problem if not addressed. Fortunately, it is not that difficult to fix a leaky faucet on your own. With the right tools, you can fix a leaky faucet by following a few simple steps.
Shut Off the Water Supply
avoid any mess Shut off the water supply by turning off the knob underneath the sink that controls water coming in from the main line. After that, plug the drain or cover it with a rag. You do not want any screw or washer to fall into the drain.
Determine the type of Faucet
There are four types of faucets; compression faucet, ball faucet, cartridge faucet, and a ceramic disk faucet. It is essential to know which type of faucet you have because the mechanisms underneath differ in every type. A compression faucet relies on a rubber washer, which might be the cause of the leak. The other types do not have a washer but might still cause leaks. The issue might be in the O-rings or worn out seals.
Compression Faucets
As mentioned above, this type of faucet relies on a rubber washer commonly known as seat washers that wear out and need replacement occasionally. This is most likely the culprit for your leaky faucet. Pry off the decorative parts of a handle knob by unscrewing them, loosen the packing nut with the help of a wrench and remove the stem sitting atop the O-ring and seat washer. Remove the washer and replace it. If your handle is leaky, the reason may be the O-ring. Inspect it and replace them with the exactly same size.
Ball Faucets
A ball faucet contains a lot of parts which makes it difficult to spot the cause of the leak. To avoid confusion it is best to buy a repairlacement kit and replace all the parts. Most leaks occur due to damaged O-rings. After removing the handle, use adjustable pliers to remove the cap and collar. After that, loosen the faucet cam and pull it out along with the cam washer and rotating ball. Remove the inlet springs and seals. Replace the O-rings and reassemble the removed parts with the new ones.
Cartridge Faucets
A cartridge faucet contains a cartridge that needs to be inspected. After unscrewing the handle, pull the cartridge out and inspect its parts. Cut off the old O-rings and replace them. Assemble the parts back and check the tap. The leak should now be repaired.
Ceramic-Disk Faucets
This kind of faucet operates on disk cylinders which contain seals that might have resulted in leaks. To inspect the disk cylinder locate escutcheon cap and remove it. An escutcheon cap is made of metal and sits directly beneath the handle. Remove the disk cylinder and inspect the seals. If the seals look worn out replace them, if not then pry them out and rinse the cylinder. Reassemble the parts and slowly turn on the water to prevent the force of water to damage the ceramic disk.
A leaky faucet may not seem worse but can lead to severe plumbing problems if not fixed. After all the work, if you still fail to fix a leaky faucet, then it may have been caused by a reason beyond our knowledge. In such a case it is best to call a professional plumber.
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