How to Fix a Leaky Faucet

• by Dale

Guide Note: Is the dripping driving you mad? Don't worry. You needn't pay a plumber to solve your leaky faucet problems. All you need is a few simple tools and a little know-how, and you'll be on your way to curing your faulty tap blues.

How to Fix a Leaky Faucet will walk you through the simple 1-2-3 of plumbing repair.

Table of Contents:

• Introduction
• What You'll Need
• Step 1: Getting Started
• Step 2: Doing the Job
• Step 3: The Big Finish
• Conclusion
• Resources

Introduction

(Creative Commons photo by Alan)

• Is that drip, drip, drip in the middle of the night driving you crazy? Do you find that your water bill has been going up steadily? Are you convinced that this is the modern version of the infamous Chinese water torture? Well, relax, take a deep breath, and know that in the next few paragraphs, you'll be able to fix that leaky faucet just like the pros do, and save yourself a whole lot of money in the process.

What You'll Need

Break out your tools. (Creative Commons photo by Lenore Edman)

• Basic hand tools are all that you'll need to complete this task: nothing fancy, and they can all be found at any department or hardware store.

1. Pliers
2. Standard flathead screwdriver
3. Phillips screwdriver
4. Adjustable wrench
5. Plumbers grease
6. Scrub pad
7. Pipe joint compound
8. Correct-sized washer
   • You can usually buy the correct-sized washer in a washer kit package, available at any hardware store.
9. Old rags or towels

Step 1: Getting Started

• The first and absolutely most important thing you will want to do is find the main water supply handle and turn it off.

1. Locate the handle under the sink.
2. Run the faucets as you turn off the main water supply handle.
3. When the water stops flowing, you'll know that you have completely cut the water supply to the faucets.
4. Next, lay down some old rags or towels on the counter around the sink.
   • This will soak up any drippage and excess water as you disassemble parts.
5. Put a rag or towel inside the sink to fully cover the drain hole, so parts or tools can’t fall in.

Step 2: Doing the Job

• Now that the water's off, it's time to get to work.

1. The first step is to pry off the little plastic cover on top of the handles.
2. Inside you'll a Phillips-type set screw.
3. Unscrew and remove the set screw.
4. Now, using your regular flathead screwdriver, gently pry off the handle itself.
5. Once the handle is off, you will see what is called the compression cartridge.
   • This cartridge is held on by a 6 sided retaining jam nut which needs to be removed.
6. Fit your wrench over the jam nut, and adjust the wrench to the correct size.
7. Turn it counterclockwise to loosen, and then completely remove the retaining nut.
8. Unscrewing the retaining nut will allow you to remove the actual cartridge itself.
   • It may have to be wiggled or gently pried up to get it free, but it will come out fairly easily.
9. On the bottom of this cartridge will be a rubber washer held on by a set screw. This washer is what needs to be replaced.
10. Go ahead and remove the screw and then just peel off the washer.
11. Take your scrub pad and, just as you would do if it was a regular rag, wipe the entire cartridge down with it, especially on the threads and where the actual washer had been sitting.
    • You will be smoothing and cleaning everything out, just to get all the gunk and dirt off the cartridge.
12. Replace the old washer with a brand new one.
13. Once the new washer is in place, screw that set screw back on to hold it in position.
14. Take your plumbers or white lithium grease and generously coat the threads and the body of the cartridge. This will allow it to slide back into position, and the handle itself will turn very easily.

Step 3: The Big Finish

No leaks for kitty. (Creative Commons photo by April Killingsworth)

• Now it's time to reassemble the faucet exactly the way it came out.

1. You'll notice right away how easily the cartridge slips back into place with the plumbers grease coating the sides.
2. Replace the retaining nut and gently snug it down.
   • Don't act like Hercules here and crank it too hard; that could strip the threads, and then you would have a far worse problem than a leaky faucet. Just turn until it is firm, and that's it.
3. Put the plastic handle back on, secure that with the screw, and then pop the plastic top on, and you are essentially finished.

The Moment of Truth

• Here comes the big moment.

1. Turn the water on from the main source.
2. If you left the faucet on, the water will instantly begin to run—that's not a problem.
3. Now turn off the faucet and see what happens. When the faucet stops running, the drip will be gone!

Conclusion

• You’ve done it, pat yourself on the back for a job well done! You have just saved yourself a good-sized plumbing bill, and you have also learned a new skill as well, but more importantly, you get the satisfaction of knowing that you can do this, you are capable, and that from now on, there won't be a washer you can't replace!

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Resources for How to Fix a Leaky Faucet

• VideoJug: How to Fix a Dripping Tap (Time: 2:59)
• eHow.com: How to Fix a Leaky Faucet
• BeJane: How to Fix a Leaky Faucet
• SimplyThirfty: How to Fix a Leaky Faucet
• OurSimpleJoys: How to Fix a Leaky Faucet
• Lowe's: Repairing a Compression Faucet

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