Fix your Leaky Faucet this Weekend!

If you have been pushing off getting that slow, steady and annoying leaky faucet fixed, take this weekend to have the repair completed without even spending the money to do so! Handyman Connection of Red Deer is here to provide you the step by step process on how to complete this repair easily!

Ensure the Area is Prepped:

Tidy up your area and lay out a spot where you can put your parts as they are removed down so you can easily remember how to install them back properly. Next you can turn your water off underneath the faucet and then block the drain with a rag or plug so you don’t lose any parts. A good tip to ensure you don’t scratch anything on the faucet it to wrap duct tape around the jaws of your wrench.

Identify the Faucet:

Before you determine how to fix your faucet, you need to figure out which of the four faucets you have:

• Cartridge – Has a swinging arm to change the temperature with a decorative cap
• Ceramic-disk – Rotating arm with a ceramic cylinder
• Compression – Hot and cold faucets on separate controls which you turn left or ring
• Ball – Also a swinging arm but has a ball bearing

Complete the Repair:

Cartridge Faucet – Remove the decorative cap and unscrew to handle to which you will then see a threaded plastic piece that is holding the cartridge in place. Remove these with a pair of pliers and then pull the cartridge straight up to remove the spout and O-rings with a utility knife. Coat the new O-rings in plumber’s grease to slip them back on and then reassemble the faucet to complete the repair.

Ceramic-disk Faucet – To gain access to the escutcheon cap so you can remove it, you will need to first unscrew and remove the handle. Next you will unscrew the disk cylinder and lift it out so you can remove the neoprene seals underneath. Soak these and the cylinder in white vinegar for several hours and then rinse them well. You can then examine the seals to determine if you can reuse them or if new ones should be purchased. Whichever you decide, replace the seals on the cylinder and reassemble the faucet. When turning the water back on, make sure you do it slowly to ensure the force of the water doesn’t crack the ceramic disk.

Compression – When a compression faucet is leaking, the rubber seat washer is most likely the problem as it gets worn down with time. To get to these washers, you will need to find the handle screw under the decorative cap and pry this off to remove the handle. Next take the nut off with a wrench so you can see the stem, O-ring and then the washer. Remove the screw holding the washer down and replace with a new one that is coated in nontoxic and heat proof plumbing grease and then you can reassemble.

Ball Faucet – A ball faucet has multiple parts so it can be very tricky to actually determine the cause of the leak. The most common cause is the cam assembly so it’s usually best to just replace this from the get-go. You can pick up the kit for about $20 at the hardware store. First unscrew and remove the handle so you can take off the cap and collar with pliers. Next, loosen the faucet cam with the tool provided in the kit and remove the cam, washer and ball. You can then reach into the base of the faucet cam and remove the inlet seals and springs with a pair of needle-nose pliers and then cut the old O-rings out. Roll on the new O-rings that have been coated in plumber’s grease and then you can install the springs, valve seats and cam washers back so you can put the faucet back together.

Need Help from a Handyman Plumber?

If you feel like you just don’t have the time or would like a professional to complete this repair – call Handyman Connection of Red Deer! Not only can we repair your leaky faucet, but we can take a look at any other small-medium home improvement needs of yours.