Drip.. Drip.. Drip.. A leaky faucet is more than just annoying, it’s a big waste of water, and ends up being pretty expensive. Luckily, fixing a leaky faucet is a pretty simple DIY project, and we’re going to walk you through it step by step.
1. Tools and Materials
Before starting your project, get all everything needed together. Here’s an easy list to go by:
- Adjustable Wrench
- Screwdriver (Phillips and flathead)
- Replacement Parts (O-rings, washers, or cartridge – if needed)
- Plumber’s Tape
- Pliers
- Penetrating Oil
- Bowl or Towel
Making sure you have everything ready will make this project go smoothly.
2. Turn Off the Water Supply
Find your water shut-off valve under the sink. Depending on which type you have, turning it off will differ. Some you have to turn clockwise to shut off, some are a push/pull type of shut off, which in that case you’d push to close. After closing, open the faucet to let out any remaining water.
3. Identify the Type of Faucet
There’s many types of faucets out there. There’s compression, ball, cartridge, and ceramic disc. Fixing a leaky faucet will require you to find out which one you have so you can find the right replacement parts. Most modern faucets use the cartridge system, but you should still confirm by taking a good look at the faucet.
4. Disassemble the Faucet
Now comes the fun part! Carefully remove the faucet handle with a screwdriver. Sometimes, because of hard water build-up, the handle might get stuck. If this happens, use some penetrating oil to get it loose. Once you’ve removed the handle, you might find that there’s either retaining clips, or nuts that need to be removed. You can use either pliers or an adjustable wrench for this.
5. Inspect and Replace Damaged Parts
Now that you’ve removed the handle, take a look at all the components that make up the faucet. You should inspect the O-rings, washers, and all the other parts that are present for any wear and damage. In fixing a leaky faucet, it’s important that you look at everything, as more often than not, these damaged parts are what cause leaks. Next, replace any worn-out parts with the new ones. If you have a cartridge faucet, replace the cartridge with a new one. Here’s a quick guide to determine what kind of repair job you have:
- Compression Faucets: Replace the washers and O-rings. (click here for O-ring kit for this and other projects)
- Ball Faucets: Replace the inlet seals and springs.
- Cartridge Faucets: Replace the cartridge.
- Ceramic Disc Faucets: Replace the seals.
* Pro Tip: You can go on www.zoro.com to help you identify the parts you need. You can either buy it from them or use the part number to search the web.
6. Reassemble the Faucet
Now that you’ve taken care of your damaged parts, carefully reassemble your faucet. Simply, do everything you did to take it apart in the reverse order. It’s super important to make sure everything is aligned and tightened. However, do NOT over-tighten, because it can cause damage. Once you feel that it’s tight enough that it won’t easily come off should be good enough.
7. Turn On the Water Supply and Test
You’ve done it! Well.. almost. Now go back under the sink to turn on your water supply. For the turn style valve, turn counter-clockwise, and fur the push/pull, pull to turn on. Be Careful pulling as you don’t want to pull the valve from the wall. Maybe hold it down with your other hand. Now turn on the faucet, and make sure the leak is gone. Now you can celebrate!
Fixing a leaky faucet is probably one of the things that you’ll repeat as a homeowner throughout the years. Keep JAC of All Trades Handyman phone number handy (below) if you’re either not up to the task, or if you’re just too busy to DIY all the time. Especially if you have many sinks in your house, this task could become tedious. But we’re definitely up to the task, and eager to help you with this, and any other projects.
Contact Us:
- Call/Text: (813) 298-5322
- See our Work HERE