Fixing a leaky faucet can save plumbing expenses!
Is the constant dripping sound of a leaky faucet not letting you sleep at night? Is the water bill at the end of the month high despite your efforts to save water? Then it’s time to get that dripping faucet in check.
Knowing how to fix a dripping faucet can come a long way to lower your water bill. There’s quite a few ways to get it done, but first, we must understand why this happens.
There are several reasons behind a leaking faucet, such as:
- Washer is worn out, causing leaks whenever you do laundry.
- Faulty pipes which have issues in the faucets, causing leaks.
- Loose O rings in the toilet with corroded valve seats.
- Loose or broken parts in the toilet.
- Water pressure is too high.
However, the main reason behind this is the deterioration of faucet parts, leading to leaks in the shower, bathroom, and kitchen.
Here’s a step-by-step lowdown on how to fix a dripping faucet, or what a professional would do when called.
Shut off the water in your home
There are different types of faucets in a bathroom or kitchen and might include both a single or double handle, and different types of motifs to open the tap. When you decide to get your faucet fixed or fix it yourself, the first step is ensuring that your water supply is completely shut off. This will make fixing any leaks far easier.
To do this, you have to search for the water source of your home. You’ll most likely find the valve in the cabinet under your kitchen sink to switch it off. Similarly, you would find a valve for the bathroom sink. In case there are no individual valves for each point, then it’s best to switch off your home’s entire water supply. Once that is done, turn the faucet on, and let the water flow until it is emptied into the sink.
Take out the handle
The ways to remove a handle depend on the type of faucet you have. For example, in case your handle has a screw behind it, a hex key or Allen wrench should do the trick. Insert it into the screw and then remove it by turning.
In situations where the handle includes a top screw cover, you can use a screwdriver to take it off, and then use another head screwdriver to make the screw loose below the cover. Once this is done, separate the handle.
If you’re looking to take out the handle of a shower faucet or bathtub, then you would have to follow a few more steps. For example, in case your handle includes a cap, take it out first with a screwdriver, and then unscrew it. Take out the faceplate near the shower wall, and in case there are threads, unscrew the faceplate first. Locate the metal sleeve and then unscrew it once you snap it off.
In situations where your shower has a locking clip, take it out with a screwdriver of a needle nose plier.
Take out the stem or cartridge
The faucet or stem of the cartridge can be found in kitchen and bathroom faucets with two handles. The cartridge is that part of the faucet that is differentiated between hot and cold water.
To take this out, make sure to use a wrench, and then make the packing nut lose. Remove the whole thing after this. Pull the parts apart and take them out of the assembly.
New cartridge
After you’ve checked the stem or cartridge, and you know it’s where the leak is coming from, you need to replace this. To replace your cartridge you’ll first need to know the shape and size. One of the best ways to find the correct replacement is to find your previous cartridge’s manufacturer and model. If you aren’t able to decipher this, bring your old cartridge to a hardware store and ask someone to point you to the right one.
Now, to replace the cartridge, clean the handle’s area using a cloth. Check the O-rings and other parts, and if they are damaged, replace them. Finally, put your new cartridge in place, but do make sure that the alignment is proper.
Place the faucet handle back
After you’ve placed the new stem or cartridge, make sure to attach your faucet handle once again to complete the task. Turn on your water line and take out any debris from your sink.
It’s now important to run water, both hot and cold, through your sink, to check that there isn’t a clog, especially in the aerator. This part is the one that is latched onto your faucet spout’s end. If there is a clog, you can remove this easily and clean it.
How did you find this guide on fixing dripping faucets?
We hope this guide on fixing dripping faucets was useful! Remember, the moment you identify what’s causing a problem in your faucet hardware, it becomes easier to fix your faucet. However, we still recommend that you employ an expert to do this for you.
Experts will have the right tools and safety gear to get the job done quickly. Moreover, they are licensed and qualified and will also check for other problems in your plumbing system apart from the leaking faucet. For example, if you have a clog in your pipes, an expert professional will find the perfect way to discard it.
With years of experience in plumbing, Octopus has licensed and insured professionals, who will come to your home and ensure that your leaking faucet is fixed in no time. Our experts are thorough and friendly and know the ins and outs of plumbing in Dubai. It’s important to fix a dripping faucet as soon as possible, as it might indicate a more pressing, underlying problem that hasn’t been discovered before.
Enter into an annual maintenance contract with Octopus experts, and we will not only take care of plumbing but also electrical issues, repainting, and air conditioner maintenance. Call 800 3993 for more information.
