How To Fix A Leaky Faucet

Leaky faucets can waste huge amounts of water;Screwdriver (size #2 is usually good), and take off
even if the drip is small. The good news is that theythe screws holding on the handles.
are simple to fix, in most cases. To fix a leaky
faucet, at the very least, you will need a PhillipsStep #4
Screwdriver, small flathead screwdriver, faucet seat,Don't expect the handle to come off easily. Many are
rubber stem gasket, and a seat remover tool.very difficult to get off. Pry the handle off or just
pull like *#$%&@#. You could buy a handle
Step #1puller, but it's mostly a waste of money. You can do
Don't forget this step because it will save you a lotit without one.
of work. Many people overlook this step. Determine
if the water coming out is hot or cold. If it's hot youStep #5
will replace the hot side and vice versa for cold.Once you get the handle off, you will be looking at a
faucet valve stem. Remove the valve stem with a
Step #2crescent wrench. If you don't have a crescent
Look under the sink and turn off the water. Therewrench or socket type wrenches, channel locks will
should be two knobs; one hot and one cold. Turn offdo the job.
the handle that corresponds to the heat of the
water leaking. If the water is hot, turn off hot andStep #6
vice versa for cold. If the handle is difficult to turn,You will need a seat wrench tool. Without one, you
use channel lock pliers or a pipe wrench to turn thecan't do the job. Place seat wrench tool in stem hole,
handle. Turn the handle clockwise until it stops turning.turn counter clockwise, and remove the seat. You will
also need a new faucet seat. Take the seat to your
Replace Water Handles, If necessarylocal plumbing store (not home depot or lowes) and
In some cases, you may end up replacing the waterget one that is the right size. Replace the new seat
handles. Some water handles will leak right out thewith your seat wrench. Be very careful not to push
handle or become immovable. Many homes have thethe on the seat wrench too hard with downward
absolutely lowest quality water handle valves. By thepressure because it will damage the new seat. You
very nature of touching them, they will break. Hint,may not notice at first, but you may get a leaky
don't replace with the cheapest valves you can find.faucet in only a year or two.
Spend a few extra dollars for a better valve.
To replace the valves, first turn off the water to theStep#7
house. Then, simply unscrew the old valve withExamine the faucet valve stem. In most cases, the
channel lock pliers. Install the new valve by putting onrubber gasket on the small end is worn out. You see,
teflon tape threads three times clockwise (aroundonce the faucet starts leaking people start turning
the threads). Screw new valve on clockwise withthe water handle really hard. This extra pressure
channel lock pliers or a pipe wrench.usually damages this rubber gasket. Simply unscrew
the gasket with a Phillips screwdriver and put on a
Step #2new one. If you run into troubles, you can always
The hot and cold faucet handles have a plastic insertreplace the valve stem.
on the top of them. There will often be an H (for
hot) or a C (for cold) on the faucet handles. Use aStep #8
small screwdriver to remove the plastic insert.Replace valve stem, handle, and plastic insert. Turn
the water back on and test the faucet. If this is your
Step #3first time doing it, plan on doing it twice. Good Luck.
You should now have two handle screws exposed.It's not as hard as you might think.
The screws should be Phillips type. Take your Phillips