If the sound of a dripping faucet keeps you awake at night and the realization that you’re wasting water makes you anxious, you may rest easy. You can fix a leaky faucet by yourself since it is simple and affordable. Most faucet repair kits make it simple to identify and replace the most frequent causes of leaky faucets, including worn-out washers or gaskets, loosened O rings, and corrosion in the valves. The most common reason for leaks in bathroom, shower, and kitchen faucets is damaged or degraded faucet parts, particularly if your property has older faucets.
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This guide demonstrates how to fix a leaky faucet on your own.
Shut the water supply off.
Your kitchen or bathroom faucet could have one or two handles, a modern pull-down wand style, or a twisting ball faucet on your shower or tub. You should turn off the water supply before starting to fix a leaking faucet.
To stop the flow of water, turn the valve underneath your sink. Turn off the house’s water supply if there are no independent shutoff valves under each sink. Please turn on the faucet and open it to drain the last water from the pipe into the sink.
Remove the Handle
The type of faucet you have will determine how you remove the handle. If there is a set screw beneath the handle, turn the screw out using a hex key or wrench. Use a flat screwdriver to remove the top screw cover and set it aside if the handle has one. Next, remove the cover’s screw using a head screwdriver. Take the handle off.
Removing the leaky shower or bathtub faucet’s handle might require a little extra effort. Use a flathead screwdriver to remove the cap on the handle if it has one. It would help if you unscrewed the handle with a screwdriver.
Then remove the shower wall’s faceplate behind the handle. If there are threads, take the faceplate from the wall by unscrewing it. Locate the metal cover on the shower valve, and unscrew or pull it off. If the shower valve has a locking clip, use a screwdriver or a pair of needle nose pliers to pry it off.
Get rid of the stem or cartridge.
The faucet stem or cartridge is present in most two-handled kitchen and bathroom faucet designs. This component controls the hot and cold water flow. Loosen the packing nut in the handle assembly using a wrench, remove it, and lay it aside. Pull the component gently up and out of the assembly.
Replace the Cartridge
It would help if you replaced the cartridge or stem now that you’ve examined it and determined that it is the cause of your leaky kitchen or bathroom faucet. The best approach to locate the appropriate replacement part is to know the name of the faucet maker and the model number because cartridges and stems come in various sizes and shapes. If unsure, bring the old stem or cartridge you’re changing to the store to match it to the particular cartridge you require. With a cloth, thoroughly clean and dry the area surrounding the handle and each component. Check the O-rings on the housing’s exterior, and replace any worn out or damaged.
Reattach Faucet Handle
After replacing the cartridge or stem, return to the earlier steps and reattach the faucet handle. Reconnect your water line and clean out your sink of any debris or towels. To ensure your aerator isn’t clogged, run hot and cold water through your faucet for a short time. The component that attaches to the faucet spout’s end is called the aerator. If build-up prevents constant water flow, it is simple to remove and clean.
