Don’t you just hate it when you hear that constant dripping sound of the leaky faucet? It is no doubt frustrating to see the continuous water waste. So, gear up and fix that leaky faucet to stop the water wastage; don’t worry, it is not that hard to do. If one does not have enough time to invest in a project like this, he may contact the skilled and experienced plumbers at Pioneer Comfort Systems to fix all the plumbing problems around the house. However, it requires only a beginner level of expertise to fix a leaky faucet. Continue reading this article to find out step by step DIY process of repairing a leaking faucet.
Tools Required: For fixing a faucet, you would need the proper tools. Here is a list of tools and materials you need in order to repair a leaky pipe successfully.
- Plumbing Wrenches
- Faucet Repair Parts
- Hex Key Sets
- Phillips-Head Screwdrivers
- Slotted Screwdrivers
- Faucet Stems
- Faucet Cartridges
- Standard Kitchen Faucets
- Widespread Bathroom Faucets
- microfiber cloths
Turn-off Water: The first step seems to be a no-brainer, right? Of course, you need to turn off your water supplies if you want to inspect the pipes. You may twist the valve under your sink to turn off the water supply. However, if you don’t find a particular valve for the line you are to inspect, shut down the main water supply for the house. Now turn on the tap so that the remaining water on the pipe drains out. When you open the faucet up, some parts of it may fall down the drain unintentionally; to prevent this from happening, you may put a towel over the sink before starting the operation.
Remove The Handle: Different faucets have different designs, so it is only natural to assume the process of removing the handle varies from one faucet type to another. The goal is to find the screw behind the handle that holds the piece steady. Once you locate the screw, insert a hex key or Allen wrench into the screw and turn it to remove. Next, use a Phillips head screwdriver to loosen the screw underneath the cover. Now you can pull the handle free without much effort.
Replace The Old Cartridge: The faucet cartridge or faucet stem is responsible for hot and cold water flow. You would need a wrench now to loosen the nut in the handle assembly. Once done, remove the nut and set it aside. It is now time to replace the faulty cartridge with a new one, and you’ll get rid of the dripping problem altogether.
- There are different shapes of cartridges available in the market. Therefore, you must get the right type that matches your old cartridge previously installed.
- Note down the name of the faucet’s manufacturer and the faucet’s model number and search the internet for the exact cartridge. If you are unsure about the faucet model details, take the old cartridge to the local store to find an exact match.
- Once you got the exact cartridge you require, it is now time to install the same. Clean the handle part and insert the new cartridge or stem, making sure it is aligned correctly.
The Final Step: The hard part of fixing a leaky faucet is done; all that is left is putting the handle back in its place. Once the attachment is properly placed, be sure to turn on the water and let it flow for a few minutes to ensure your aerator isn’t clogged. If you find the water is not flowing the way you had hoped, there might be some additional problem with the water line that you overlooked. Fixing a leaky faucet, though it seems easy enough to do, might take a lot of time. If you feel your time would be better invested in some other work than fixing a leaky pipe, be sure to call a professional. The expert plumbers know what they are doing and can do the job without any hindrance.
