Drip, drip, drip. Is that constant drip from your faucet driving you crazy? Leaky faucets are more common than you may think, and you may be able to stop it before it gets worse.
The first step in fixing a leak is to determine which type of faucet you have.
Compression
Cartridge (sleeve)
Ceramic Disk
Ball Type
A compression faucet relies on rubber washers to seal the valve seat. Washers wear out over time and must be replaced occasionally. To fix a compression faucet leak, you must remove the decorative cap on the handle as well as the handle screw. Remove the handle and use a wrench to unscrew the packing nut. Then you’ll be able to access and remove the washer and replace it with a new one.
If you have a leaky handle, the O-ring is most-likely culprit. O-rings come in a range of sizes, so make sure you know which size you need before taking the handle apart.
To fix a leaky cartridge faucet, pry off the decorative handle cap and screw and tilt the handle back to remove it. Remove the cartridge using needle-nose pliers. This process should only cost you about $15-$20, but it’s vital to match the length of the new cartridge with the one you removed. Once again, you’ll need to remove the O-ring and replace it with a new one to stop the leak.
Ball-type faucets contain many parts so determining the cause of the leak can be very difficult. Purchasing a replacement parts kit and putting in all new parts can help avoid the aggravation of pinpointing the exact cause of the leak. Another option is to give us a call and we’ll stop by to diagnose and fix the problem.
If working with tools isn’t in your repertoire, the expert plumbers at Hero Plumbing, Heating & Cooling would be more than happy to fix your leaky faucet. Give us a call today to schedule an appointment.
