What to Do with a Leaky Faucet
Whether you begin to notice your water bill creeping up or you hear the annoying ‘drip drip’ of a leaky faucet, you will want to know what to do to make it stop. A leaky faucet can turn into a more serious issue if it is not properly addressed. Fixing your leaky faucet can be an easy fix if you know what to do. Here are a few tips to stop one of the most common plumbing issues around.
How to Fix a Leaky Faucet
Before you begin, you will need to gather a few tools to fix your leaky faucet. These include:
- Adjustable wrench
- Phillips or flat-head screwdriver
- Penetrating oil (WD-40 or CRC)
- Replacement washers and O-rings
Turn Off Your Water
Before you begin, make sure to turn off the water supply going to your sink. Otherwise your sink will start spurting water uncontrollably and cause a very large mess. Many sinks have knobs located directly under the cabinet that can be turned to shut off the water supply.
Remove Handle Knobs
With your flat head screwdriver, carefully ply the decorative parts of your handle knobs. Underneath you will find a screw that mounts the handle to the stem. Unscrew and gently remove with your screwdriver. Use a bit of your WD-40, or oil equivalent to loosen it. Then remove the faucet handle off the stem carefully.
Loosen the Packing Nut & Stem
Use your wrench to loosen the packing nut and then you can see the step. Remove it with care, as some can pop right off. Other models need a twist for the stem to come lose. Check the parts for damage.
Inspect the O-Ring
Check the o-ring for damage and fit. Sometimes you will need to purchase a new o-ring to fix the leak. If the o-ring and the washer seem intact, place everything back inside the packing nut and reassemble your faucet. If you are still having a leak, you need to call a professional.
If you have a leaky faucet that continues to persist despite your repair, contact Reichelt Plumbing today. Call (219) 322-4906 to schedule one of our experienced plumbers to fix your issue.