How to Fix That Leaky Faucet

Leaky faucets are certainly annoying, but they’re also wasting lots of water and costing you money. A leaky faucet in the kitchen or bathroom might not seem like a big deal, but the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has determined that a leaky faucet can waste as much as 10,000 gallons of water in just one year.

While most plumbing problems should be left to the professionals, you may be able to fix a leaky faucet yourself. Follow these steps to see if you can solve the problem and stop that leaky faucet.

Turn off the Water Supply to the Leaking Faucet.

This will likely be found under the sink. Turn the shutoff valve clockwise to turn off the water supply to the sink and faucet.

Disassemble the Faucet.

Pry the decorative handles off the faucet and remove the screws holding the washer. Lay out all of the parts in one place so you don’t lose anything. Be sure you close the sink drain or cover it up with a rag so nothing ends up going down the drain.

Inspect the Parts of the Faucet.

Look at the cap and the adjusting ring. If water is coming from there, tighten the adjusting ring. Look at the o-ring to see if it needs to be replaced. If water is dripping from the spout you probably need to replace either the washer or valve seat. If you find that the faucet is damaged or there is extensive corrosion or multiple leaks, you might need to replace it altogether. Faucets don’t last forever so if it’s been at least 10 years you should have it replaced.

Reassemble the Faucet.

Make sure all of the parts and screws are put back just the way you found them. It may help to take pictures through the process so you can make sure everything’s back to the way it was. Turn the water back on and check to see if the leak is gone.

If you want to let the experienced professionals handle the situation, contact Allen Service today.