Six Ways To Fix A Leaky Faucet

Leaky faucets can be a bit annoying with the constant plop sound hitting the sink. Additionally, there is so much wastage of water that will impact your utility bill. Leaky faucets can get fixed easily with just a few tools at hand. Most leaky faucets are due to a lousy washer or O ring, which you can fix yourself. Read the following tips and tools to fix a leaky faucet.

Contents

1 Faucet Cartridge
2 Compression Faucets
3 Ceramic Disc Faucet
4 Ball-Type Faucet
5 Conclusion

Faucet Cartridge

Start your repair by pulling off the decorative cap, now remove the handle screw by tilting it back and pulling it out.
Next, use needle-nose pliers to remove the threaded retaining clip, holding the cartridge in place.
Cut off the damaged O ring by removing the spout. Remove it and replace it with a new ring, and make sure you thoroughly coat it with nontoxic heat-proof plumbers grease.

Compression Faucets

You will need new seat washers to stop leaky compression faucets. Pry off the decorative cap using a utility knife or small slotted screwdriver.
Using a screwdriver, pull out the handle screw and remove the handle.
To slacken the stem of the faucet body, use a crescent wrench.
As the seat washer is held in place by a brass screw, unscrew it and remove the seat washer for replacing a new one.
Do not forget to coat the washer with nontoxic, heat-proof plumbers grease.
If the handles are leaky, replace the culprit for the leaky handle for a new O-ring by popping out the stem from the packing nut and coating it with nontoxic, heat-proof plumbers grease.
If the retainer is damaged, you may like to replace it as well.

Ceramic Disc Faucet

For this type of faucet, first, get access to the set screw by pushing the handle backward.
Now removing the escutcheon cap, pry out the cylinder by unscrewing the disc cylinder mounting screws.
Remove the damaged seals with the help of a blunt screwdriver from the cylinder.
To clean the openings of the cylinder, a soft scouring pad and white vinegar may help you well.
Now rinse and replace the seal and reassemble the faucet.
Move the handle back to its position and slowly turn on the water to avoid damaging your ceramic disc.

Ball-Type Faucet

As this type of faucet contains lots of parts, it becomes difficult to detect the leakage fault. Therefore, it will be better to buy a replacement kit.

By using a pocket knife, start to pry off a small index cover from the side of the faucet.
Now with the help of a hex key wrench, loosen the hex head screw and pull off the faucet handle.
To remove the collar cap, use an adjustable plier.
Extricate the tap cam and lift it out with the help of tools in the faucet repair kit. Along with this, you can remove the cam washer and rotating ball.
Using the needle-nose plier, remove the rubber seats and springs and replace them with a new one.
Reinstall the stainless steel ball, ensuring the size fits and the corresponding tab inside the faucet body.
Install a new cam cap and rubber gasket on top of the stainless steel ball. Also, install new valve seats and springs.
Do coat with heat-proof plumbers grease and reassemble all the parts correctly.

Conclusion

These easy tips will help you repair the leaky faucets with the help of minimum tools at hand to do it by yourself in no time. But, do try in times of leaky faults to avoid wasting water.