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Most
homeowners can repair a leaky faucet on their own. The basic tools
required for repairing a leaky faucet include a Philips screwdriver, a
small common screwdriver, common pliers, needle nose pliers and a
wrench.
Repairing a Two Handled Leaky Faucet
The first
thing you want to do in repairing a leaky two handled faucet is to turn off the
water supply lines at the valves located under the sink. Make sure you
turn off both supply lines.
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Note that if
you have a two handle faucet and want to isolate what faucet handle is
causing the leak turn off one supply line and check if the faucet leak
stops. If it does not stop leaking turn off the other supply line and see if
the faucet leak stops (it better). Knowing which faucet handle leaks will
save you some work.
Next, turn the
hot and cold faucet handles to the ON position to make sure that the supply
lines are indeed off.
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Remove the cap
cover from the top of the faucet handle that is causing the leak. The small
common screwdriver may come in handy here to remove the cap.
Next, using a
Philips screwdriver remove the screw that holds the handle to the faucet
valve stem.
Once the screw
has been removed, use a wrench to unscrew the nut that secures the faucet
valve stem to the faucet.
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Now, using
pliers, pull the valve stem out of the faucet. This may require a little
tugging.
Once your have
removed the valve stem, you should see a rubber washer sitting on top of a
small spring in the valve stem housing located in the faucet. Pull this out
with a pair of needle nose pliers. Usually it is this rubber washer/spring
assemble that gets worn out and is the cause of the leak.
If there is no
rubber washer assembly as part of the valve assembly the entire valve
assembly will have to be replaced. |
Take the
washer/spring assembly, along with the valve stem to the hardware store and
find a replacement for either the washer/spring assembly, or the entire
valve assembly if there was no washer/spring assembly in the faucet.
To re-assemble
the faucet, simply place the rubber washer on top of the narrow end of the
spring and using your screwdriver as a guide slide it into place into the
valve stem housing area. The wide end of the spring should rest at the base
of the valve assembly housing.
Next install
the valve stem (use the new valve stem if a washer/spring assembly was
not used in the original valve assembly) in the valve stem housing and
secure with the nut you had earlier removed.
Now slide the
faucet handle back on top of the valve stem and secure it with the screw.
Push the
plastic or metal cap back into place on top of the faucet handle.
Finally turn
the supply lines back on and check to see that the faucet leak has been
repaired.
Repairing a Single Handle Mixing Leaky Faucet
The steps for
repairing a leaky single handled mixing faucet are very similar to what were
explained above, however the culprit is usually a worn out O-ring.
Using similar
steps mention above, after turning off the water remove the handle assembly.
Typically there is a small screw located in the back of the faucet handle or
underneath a plastic or metal cover.
Next remove the
nut that holds the valve assembly to the faucet-housing unit.
Take the valve
assembly to the hardware store and find either an entire valve assembly or
the O-rings that are associated with the particular faucet manufacturer and
model.
Install the new
valve assembly into the faucet house, or replace the O-rings on the existing
faucet valve assembly prior to reinstalling it.
Secure the
valve assembly with the nut and reinstall the handle.
Turn the supply
lines back on and test to see if you have successfully repaired the leaky
faucet. With a little luck your leaky faucet is a thing of the past.
For information on how to install a new
faucet, See HomeAdditionPlus.com's "Installing
a New Faucet Ebook". It provides in-depth, easy to
understand, step-by-step instructions and pictures, on how to install a new
Faucet.
Additional Home Plumbing Resources
Faucets, Shower Heads, Sinks and Bathroom Fans from Amazon.com
