As any homeowner knows, there is nothing more annoying than dealing with a leaky faucet. Not only will it keep you wide awake at night, but it is furthermore a misuse of necessary assets: water and capital. A dripping faucet can amplify your water bill in very quickly.
Good upkeep in addition to inspections of faucets is necessary in residential plumbing and construction plumbing to keep faucets in good working condition. Using pre-emptive upkeep and inspections you are able to steer clear of having to phone a plumber to fix a faucet that is leaking.
Residential plumbing needs maintenance and inspections frequently to prevent plumbing malfunctions. If your home has low water pressure or just a simple leak or two, you can do the repairs and maintenance yourself. The two most regular troubles with a broken faucet is loose nuts or a damaged washer.
Many plumbing problems are simple and easy to fix, such as fixing a leaking handle by tightening up loose connections.. Take off any decorative coverings on the handle, and locate the nut at the bottom of the handle. Tighten the nut gradually, but be careful not to tighten it too much. Then check to see if the issue has been fixed by turning the water on. If spray is still coming out, tighten up the nut a a little more until the leak disappears.
Another source of a dripping faucet is a damaged washer. Inspect the manufacturers documentation beforehand, since some faucets are washer less, such as the Moen’s one handle faucets. In this case you can buy a repair kit at your hardware store for most common brands of faucets. If not, you can substitute the washer yourself. You will need a screwdriver, a wrench and a package of washers that you can buy at hardware stores.
Fixing a shower or tub faucet may require a little extra work since the valves are commonly located behind walls. Look for an entry door to the plumbing. If you can’t find an entry door, you may have to make one, or, if you are not comfortable making one, you will require a plumber.
1. Disengage the water supply, which is usually located under the sink (or sometimes it is behind an access door if you are dealing with a tub or shower).
2. Make sure to turn the water off by turning the faucet on.
3. Impede off the drain with a cloth to prevent items from going down the drain by putting a cloth over it.
4. Take out any decorative handle to acquire the nut.
5. To prevent scratching the faucet finish, pad the wrench with electrical tape or masking tape.
6. Use the wrench to loosen the packing nut that is located within the handle, make sure to turn counter clockwise.
7. Take out the valve by twisting the handle until it comes out.
8. Find the washer, and take out the screw located at the bottom of the valve.
9. Match the old washer with one from the package of new washers you purchased. Be sure they are exactly the same size. If there is a separate washer for hot and cold, be sure to use the washer designated for hot or cold water correctly.
10. Install the new washer(s), replace the valve, turn the handle back to its correct position, and then tighten the nut(s).
11. Test for leaks by turning the water valves beneath the sink back to the on position and turning on the faucet.
If these steps do not help you in successfully fixing your leaks, consider hiring a professional plumber to ensure proper faucet repair.
Faucet repair is not difficult with the proper tools and replacement parts. Preventative maintenance in addition to inspections will help deter problems. Dripping and leaky faucets should be repaired without delay to prevent expensive water charges and wasting of water resources.
