The drip, drip, drip of a leaky faucet is just one of the many leaks that can develop in your home. If your bathroom or kitchen faucet drips, don’t ignore it! Just one drip per second wastes over 3,000 gallons of water per year.
Before you attempt to fix a leaky bathroom or kitchen faucet, turn off the water by twisting the water shut-off valve mounted below the sink. Then, plug the drain with a stopper or rag to prevent small parts from falling down the drain. Now you’re ready to begin.
How to Fix a Leaky Compression Faucet
All compression faucets have two handles. Here’s how to fix a leaky bathroom sink faucet with a double handle:
- To disassemble the faucet, first remove any decorative caps and unscrew the handles. Then, remove the now-exposed nut with a wrench and remove the stem.
- Lift out the seat washer and replace it with one coated in plumber’s grease. Replace the O-ring as well. Reassemble the handles, and the leak should be fixed.
How to Fix a Leaky Ball Faucet
Ball faucets are usually found in kitchen sinks. They have one handle with a ball at the base that rotates around. Here’s how to fix a leak:
- To disassemble the faucet, first remove the decorative cover and unscrew the handle. Then, remove the cap, cam, and seal with pliers. Finally, remove the inlet seals and springs within the mechanism with needle-nose pliers.
- Install new O-rings, springs, valve seats, and cam washers from a ball faucet repair kit. Reassemble the handle, and the leak should be fixed.
How to Fix a Leaky Disk Faucet
You can tell a disk faucet from a ball faucet once you disassemble it. If you find two disks inside the mechanism instead of a ball, you have a disk faucet. Here’s how to perform a leak repair:
- To disassemble the faucet, first remove the escutcheon cap. Then, unscrew the faucet handle and disk cylinder to expose several neoprene seals. Pry out the seals, and if they’re worth saving, soak them in white vinegar. If the seals are worn out, replace them.
- Reassemble the handle, and the leak should be fixed. When you turn on the water for the first time, do so slowly to prevent cracking the ceramic disk.
How to Fix a Leaky Cartridge Faucet
Most cartridge faucets are one-handled. The water pressure adjusts by pulling the handle up and down, while the temperature adjusts from left to right. Here’s how to fix a leaky cartridge faucet:
- To disassemble the faucet, first unscrew the handle. If you see a retaining clip holding the cartridge in place, remove it with pliers. Remove the faucet spout and the O-rings underneath.
- Install new O-rings coated with plumber’s grease. Reassemble the handle, and the leak should be fixed.
Know Who to Call to Fix a Leaky Faucet
Sometimes, it’s best to let a professional fix your leaky faucet. If you rent your home or apartment, call your landlord for advice. Attempting a DIY repair may violate your lease, so you should let the maintenance team handle it.
Whatever you do, don’t let a small leak become a big leak, or you could face detrimental water damage. Fortunately, if you need help recovering from a flooded home, Rainbow Restoration® is here for you.
We hope your efforts to fix a leaky faucet go smoothly, but if you need our services, please contact us today.