How to Fix a Leaky Faucet

Is your faucet dripping non-stop or causing water to pool where it shouldn’t? While a leaky faucet isn’t fun for anyone, it also isn’t difficult to address or repair. Even if you aren’t a plumbing professional, you can tackle the issue without much stress or strain. Keep reading to learn how to perform a leaky faucet repair at home.

Assemble and Isolate

Make sure you have the right tools for the job. Collect what screwdrivers, pliers, towels, replacement parts, and other materials you think you’ll need beforehand. From there, the first step is to shut off the water, whether it’s the valve on the faucet or the whole house’s. Not only will this prevent a watery blowout while you work, but it’s also the simplest way to conserve water during the process.

Disassemble

Set the faucet handles to “on” to dispel any leftover water. Once the faucet runs dry, take the handles apart. You may be able to remove the handles via a screw behind the part itself; if there’s a top screw cover instead, pry the top off and undo the screw below. Take both handles off this way. Next are the packing nut, which you can loosen with a wrench, and the cartridge. Removing the cartridge may require a special tool from the manufacturer, so if you have a manual for it, be sure to check it once you reach this step.

Inspection

Check to see if any of the removed pieces are damaged. Anything out of order should be replaced. If not, check the O-rings and washers—if they’re broken or don’t fit, they could be the cause of the leak. Once you’ve determined the source of your trouble and replaced it, reassemble all the parts in reverse order and turn the water back on. As with all DIY maintenance, be careful as you go. Let it run hot and cold for a few minutes each to be sure the faucet’s back to normal.

If you find the faucet still leaking after these measures, it may be time to seek professional services. Able Plumbing Repair Service, Inc. has provided top-notch plumbing services in Orange Park, FL for over 56 years, and we won’t leave you stuck with leaks and broken parts. To learn more about the many plumbing problems we can fix, contact us today!