How to Stop Your Faucet From Leaking

All the water wasted by a dripping faucet can add up. Luckily, you can fix most single-lever kitchen faucets in about an hour. You can do this job if you are confident in your plumbing skills or if you are comfortable following instructions. Handyman Connection® of Matthews explains how:

Faucet Repair Basics

When repairing faucets, determine where the water is coming from. Leaks from the base of the spout need a different repair than leaks from the end of the spout. After doing this, turn off the water supply and carefully disassemble the faucet. Focus on and remember the order and orientation of the parts as you remove them. Finally, if you find any broken or defective parts, take the parts to a store and replace them. Reassemble the faucet when you get back.

Things to Remember When Repairing Specific Faucet Types

You can buy the replacement parts for rotary ball faucets and cartridge type faucets from the hardware store or home center. When shopping for parts for a rotary ball faucet, we suggest buying a kit that has O-rings for the spout, the ball, seats, springs and a small repair tool. Figure out which end of the faucet is leaking. If it leaks from the end of the spout, replace the seats and springs. If it leaks from the base of the handle, then remove the handle and tighten the adjusting ring.

For cartridge-type faucets, take out the cartridge and either replace the O-rings on the cartridge or replace the cartridge entirely. The final faucet type is a ceramic disc valve. This is similar to cartridge type faucets. Since the ceramic disc valve is durable and reliable, many manufacturers offer a lifetime guarantee on this part. If your ceramic disc valve is damaged, check if it’s covered by the warranty. The manufacturer can send you replacement parts.

We can help you deal with plumbing problems that require professional assistance. Handyman Connection of Matthews has many years of experience and we back our work with a satisfaction guarantee. In addition to plumbing, we can help you with carpentry, remodeling and electrical work. Call us at (704) 255-5626 or contact us here to learn more or to request an estimate.