Leaky faucets are not a big issue; they can be resolved after some time. If this is your opinion then you are wrong because leaky faucets are a very annoying problem In addition to being an annoyance, the drip, drip, dripping sound serves as a persistent reminder that you are wasting water. Hence it’s best to solve it right away!
It’s time to take action if you’ve observed a continuous drip or sticky water pool around your bathroom or kitchen sink. We’ll look at the typical reasons for dripping faucets in this blog post, along with how to identify the problem and your repair and replacement options.
What Would Make a Faucet Drip or Leaky?
Many issues, such as damaged valve seats, loose O-rings, or worn-out washers, can cause leaky faucets. Regular usage of the faucet can wear out these parts over time, which might result in leaks. Hard water deposits can also build up and be a contributing factor in faucet leaks. You can solve the issue more successfully if you are aware of these typical causes.
In short, we can see there are mainly 5 reasons behind the leakage of faucets.
- The Aerator Is Broken
- The valve seat is cracked.
- A portion of the assembly is loose
- and the O ring is worn out or loose.
- A bad condition of the Cartridge
There are four types of faucets: ball type, ceramic disk, compression, and cartridge. Rubber washers, which must be replaced when they wear out, are what keep the valve seat sealed in a compression faucet. The O-ring or neoprene seal that’s leaking needs to be changed in the other three types of faucets.
DIY Plumbing: Step-by-Step Instructions for Fixing a Leaky Faucet
To start fixing leaky faucet taps first you have to bring some tools to your home.
- Flat-head screwdriver
- Adjustable wrench
- Penetrating oil
- Replacement O-rings and washers
Now you have these tools in your hand so we can start now. One thing you keep in mind is that you start fixing the leak as soon as possible because a late start can lead to serious damage and at that point, you need to call a professional plumber. Now let’s see each step to fix a leaky Faucet. Here are 5 easy steps you can follow to fix your Leaky Faucet.
1. Make space to keep Each Part
It is recommended to make a space near the Leaky Faucet so that every part that you will untight is safe at one place because some screws are very small that need extra care to avoid loss.you can use a cloth to keep all parts at the same place.
2. Turn off the water supply
Turn off the water supply before you start trying to fix a dripping faucet. It will help you to find what type of leakage there also it will help to see how much is leaking there. To stop the water supply, turn the valve beneath your sink. Turn off the home’s water supply if the sink doesn’t have a separate shutdown valve.
To let the last of the water in the line drain into the sink, turn on the faucet and leave it open.
3. Remove the Handle Hardware
If your faucet handle hardware has any decorative elements, gently pull them out with a flathead screwdriver. Please keep in mind to do it slowly. After unscrewing with your flathead, carefully take off the handle. If required, you can apply penetrating oil to make the handle more pliable so that it separates from the stem with ease.
A leaky bathtub or shower faucet’s handle requires a little more effort to remove. Use a flathead screwdriver to remove any caps that may be on the handle. To remove the handle, use a Phillips screwdriver.
Take off the faceplate from the shower wall that is behind the handle. Remove the faceplate from the wall by unscrewing it if it has threads.
4. Remove the Cartridge or Nut
The majority of two-handled kitchen and bathroom faucet types have a cartridge or stem. This component controls how much hot and cold water flows. Sometimes due to the old condition of the cartridge or nut, it doesn’t perform its duty very well and that causes leakage so it’s better to remove and reinstall a new cartridge.
Loosen the packing nut in the handle assembly using a wrench, then take it out and put it away. Pull the item straight up and out of the assembly with gentle pressure.
5. Reinstall New Cartridge
You will need to replace the cartridge now that you have examined it and determined that it is the cause of your bathroom or kitchen faucet leak. Since cartridges come in a variety of sizes and forms, knowing the model number and name of the faucet maker will make it the simplest to locate the appropriate replacement part. In case you’re uncertain, bring the outdated cartridge or stem you intend to replace to the store and utilize a reference guide to ensure it corresponds precisely with the cartridge you require.
Keep in mind that before replacing the cartridge with a new one be sure it is not working. otherwise, instead of replacing the cartridge you can clean it properly and then reuse it and be sure to tighten it enough, something it also helps to overcome the leakage problems.
After that, you can reattach the Faucet Handle After cleaning your sink and removing any debris or towels, turn on your water line again.
To make sure your aerator isn’t clogged, run both hot and cold water through your faucet for a few minutes. The component that screws onto the faucet spout’s end is called the aerator. If accumulation is preventing the water from flowing continuously, it is simple to remove and clean.
When to Think About Replacing
A leaky faucet could occasionally be beyond repair, particularly if it’s an old or seriously damaged fixture. It could be time to replace the faucet if you’ve tried to remedy the leak several times without success or if there are noticeable symptoms of wear and tear. Replacing your old, inefficient faucet with a new, energy-efficient model will stop leaks and improve the look of your bathroom or kitchen.
Ref:
https://bonfe.com/2017/02/24/tips-to-stop-a-faucet-from-leaking/
https://www.homedepot.com/c/ah/how-to-fix-a-leaky-faucet/9ba683603be9fa5395fab90ee6659fb
