Do you want to stop the annoying drip, drip drip drip from your faucet? You can fix your faucet yourself. The U.S. Geological Survey’s drip calculator shows that if you have a leaky or dripping faucet at your home, you will lose over 300 gallons per year.
You should not allow a small problem such as a leaky faucet to cause you to spend more than necessary. Instead, assess whether you can fix it yourself or need to call a plumber. These are some quick fixes:
Get the Proper Tools You Need
You will need all the necessary supplies to repair your faucet leak. A leak usually occurs when the washer or the seat assembly is damaged and the faucet cannot seal properly against the water pressure.
Most likely, you will need a flat head screwdriver, an adjustable wrench, replacement washers, O-rings, penetrating oil, and WD-40. These items can be discovered at your local hardware store and are inexpensive enough to have on hand for future projects.
Do Not Forget to Turn Off the Water
After you’ve got your tools, it’s not enough to start disassembling the faucet. There’s one thing you need to do before you turn off the water. There have been horror stories and movies about water spraying everywhere in a room after a faucet has been removed. This is one of the most common and costly mistakes in this project. Now you have a leaking faucet and you are at risk for water damage.
You should drain all water from the faucet handles and main line knobs. This is essential to complete the job quickly and efficiently. If the shut-off valves get stuck,
Make Sure You Replace Broken or Loose Parts
CLEANING THE AERATOR
If you are trying to find the cause of a leaky kitchen or bathroom faucet, a dirty aerator might also be the problem. To check for particles around the aerator, examine it carefully. To help figure out if there is a leak, remove any particles from the aerator. In the unlikely event that the nozzle is loose, make sure to tighten it.
REPLACING
A washer that fits against the faucet seat seals off water flow when the faucet is turned off. It can cause leaks or drips if the washer is moved. Most often, the solution is to take apart the faucet and reposition the washer. If the leak persists for too long, it may be necessary to replace the washer or seat.
After removing the faucet head, inspect the washer to ensure that it is in its original place.
Only a perfect match can work. It is important to ensure that the washer you are replacing can withstand both hot and cold water. Your washer could warp and cause more problems in the future.
REPLACING O-RING
O-rings are used to seal many faucets, both cartridge and compression. The O-rings can become loose or damaged, and cause a leak around the handle. You can replace the handle if it leaks. But make sure to get the correct size, or else the new O-ring will not work as well.
REPLACING CARTRIDGE
One or two handles can be found on cartridge faucets. This makes them easier to identify than ball or compression faucets. It is often necessary to replace entire cartridge valves when cartridge faucets drip. Depending on your location, new cartridges can be purchased for between $10-15. They are also relatively simple to install.
You have two options: either you can record the removal or you can simply place the items aside in the same order they were taken. This will help you ensure that the faucet is correctly reinstalled without creating new problems.
You should replace the washer and the O-ring as they are likely to be the cause of the problem. These should fit perfectly into the valve seat. After they are installed, you can rebuild your faucet.
Replace Your Faucet
You may need to replace your entire fixture if the leaky faucet problem does not resolve itself after you have tried all of the above solutions. Faucets are subject to a lot wear and tear, especially those in the kitchen or bathroom.
You can solve your problem by buying a new one. If you do decide to purchase a new one consider all the options, including hands free faucets for your home.
Call A Local Long Beach Plumber
Sometimes the problem may not be your fault. If the faucet isn’t damaged and you have tried to fix it, there could be a bigger problem with your plumbing.