If you’re not yet aware, let us tell you that there are different types of faucets: cartridge, ball-type and the most common of all, the compression faucet. And obviously, regardless of the type you have at home, all these get worn out over time. They may get rusty, break and of course, leak in just a matter of years — or earlier if you’re not so lucky. And do you know that leaking faucets are among the most common problems that homeowners like you face? Yes, leaks are nasty, inconvenient and a certified water waster. So with that being said, we would like to share with you our DIY guide on how to fix compression leaking faucets fast and easy! Follow these steps.
1. First of all, gather your tools. You’ll need a pair of pliers, wrench, plumber’s grease, Phillips head screwdriver, flathead screwdriver and replacement parts for your faucet (washers and o-rings).
2. Once you have your tools with you, shut the water supply off to prevent flooding. Under the sink, there’s supposed to be a pipe with some valve handles. Twist them to the right to turn them off.
3. While working on your faucet, you have to make sure that the drain is plugged. This way, small parts won’t go down the pipes by accident. Use a rag to cover the sink hole.
4. Look at your faucet and look for some sort of decorative caps that usually read hot or cold. Pry those off using your putty knife; remove the screws and carefully detach the faucet handles.
5. Once you’ve removed the handles, you should see the nut. Use your wrench to get rid of it. Once it is out of the way, you’ll find the O-ring that’s positioned right on top of your faucet’s seat washer. Now that’s what we’re aiming for. When the washer gets worn out, the problem begins.
6. Pull the faucet stem and check the O-ring, too. If the handles are leaky (not just the very faucet), consider the O-ring as another culprit. Replace it with new ones.
7. Remove the faucet washer by detaching the screw that keeps it in place. Once done, install the replacement. To make sure that you’re putting in the right washer, you should bring the old one to the hardware store and get similar parts. But of course, it will be better if you already have spare at home.
8. When installing the new washers, don’t forget to coat them with plumber’s grease first. Once done, re-assemble the faucet and test for leaks.
We hope that you learned the right way to fix a leaking faucet handle through our blog. Should you need expert assistance, find the most reliable Gulf Stream FL plumbing professionals. Plumbers 911 Florida provides first-rate plumbing services in Gulf Stream FL including kitchen remodeling, bathroom remodeling, leak detection, plumbing fixture repair and many more! Call us at 305-662-0668 (Miami-Dade County FL), 954-468-0512 (Broward County FL), 561-327-6287 (Palm Beach County FL)!
Do you need professional plumbing services? Watch our video and find out why we’re the best plumbers you should rely on!
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