Although a dripping faucet may seem small, it can quickly escalate into a larger problem. Lighthouse Restorations’s trusted experts will help you fix your leaky faucet.
Do you want to stop the annoying drip, drip drip drip from your faucet? You can fix your faucet yourself. The U.S. Geological Survey’s drip calculator shows that if a single leaky or dripping faucet in your house releases 10 drips per hour, you will lose over 300 gallons a year. You shouldn’t allow a small leaky faucet to cause you to spend more than it is worth. Instead, assess whether you can fix it yourself, or if you will need to call a plumber. These are some quick fixes:
STEPS TO REPAIR A DRIPPING FaUCET
Here are the steps to repair your leaky faucet
STEP 1: ASSEMBLE ALL THE TOOLS THAT YOU WILL NEED
You will need all the necessary supplies to repair your faucet leaky faucet. A leak usually occurs when the washer or seat assembly is damaged and the faucet cannot seal properly against the rising water pressure. A flat-head screwdriver, an adjustable wrench, replacement washers, O-rings, penetrating oil, and WD-40 are all necessary. These items can be found at your local hardware store and are inexpensive enough to have on hand for future projects.
STEP 2 – DON’T FORGET TO SHUT OFF THE WATER
After you’ve got your tools, it’s not enough to start disassembling the faucet. There’s another thing you need to do: Turn off your water supply! There have been horror stories and movies about water spraying everywhere in a room after a faucet has been removed. This is one of the most common and dangerous mistakes in this project. Now you have a leaky faucet. You also run the risk of water damage.
You should drain all water from the faucet handles and mainline knobs. This is essential to complete the job quickly and efficiently. Lighthouse Restorations has videos that will help you fix stuck shut-off valves. If you are living in the New York region, Lighthouse restorations have professional services for you related to restoration rochester ny, just click the link and follow the instructions.
STEP 3: REPLACE BROKEN / LOOSE PARTS
- CLEANING THE AERATOR
If you are trying to find the cause of a leaky kitchen or bathroom faucet, a dirty aerator might also be the problem. To check for particles around the aerator, examine it carefully. To determine if there is a leak, remove any particles from the aerator. In the unlikely event that the nozzle is loose, make sure to tighten it.
- REPLACING
A washer that fits against the faucet seat seals off water flow when the faucet is turned off. It can cause leaks or drips if the washer is moved. Most often, the solution is to take apart the faucet and reposition the washer. If the leak persists for too long, it may be necessary to replace the washer or seat.
After removing the faucet head, inspect the washer to ensure that it is in its original place. If the washer is damaged, you can take it to a local Lighthouse Restorations. Only a perfect match can work. It is important to ensure that the washer you are replacing can withstand both hot and cold water. Your washer could warp and cause more problems in the future.
- REPLACING O-RING
O-rings are used to seal many faucets, both cartridge, and compression. The O-rings can become loose or damaged, which can lead to a leak around the handle. You can replace the handle if it leaks. Just make sure to get the correct size, or else the new O-ring will not work as well as the original.
- REPLACING CARTRIDGE
One or two handles can be found on cartridge faucets. This makes them easier to identify than ball or compression faucets. It is often necessary to replace entire cartridge valves when cartridge faucets drip. Depending on your location, new cartridges can be purchased for between $10-15. They are also relatively simple to install.
You have two options: either you can record the removal or you can simply place the items aside in the same order they were taken. This will help you ensure that the faucet is correctly reinstalled without creating new problems. You should replace the washer and the O-ring as they are likely to be the cause of the problem. These should fit perfectly into the valve seat. After they are installed, you can rebuild your faucet.
STEP 4: REPLACE YOUR FAUCET
You may need to replace your entire fixture if the leaky faucet problem does not resolve itself after you have tried all of the above solutions. Faucets are subject to a lot of wear and tear, especially in the kitchen or bathrooms. A new faucet will solve the problem. If you do decide to purchase a new one consider all the options, including hands-free faucets for your home.
CONTACT A PLUMBING PROFESSIONAL
Sometimes the problem may not be your fault. It could be more serious if your faucet is not old and you have tried to fix it. Lighthouse Restorations is the best option. We will send a qualified plumber to fix your faucet.
