What Plumbers Recommend to Fix Leaky Faucet

What Plumbers Recommend to Fix Leaky Faucets

A leaky faucet is one of the common plumbing problems homeowners experience. Apart from driving up your water bills and being a nuisance, a leaking faucet can be indicative of a larger problem that needs to be fixed. Luckily, a leaky faucet is fairly easy to fix if you have some plumbing knowledge and the right tools. But if you don’t know what you’re doing, you should never attempt to fix a leaking faucet because you can worsen the problem.

In this article, we’ll look at the causes of leaky faucets and how to repair them.

What Causes a Leaky Faucet?

The following are the main causes of leaky faucets:

Loose or worn-out O-ring
Corroded valve seat
High water pressure
Worn-out washer
A damaged cartridge
Deteriorated valve seat
Worn-out seals
Loose or broken faucets components

Let’s look at how you can fix a leaky faucet.

Tools You’ll Need to Fix a Leaky Faucet

Adjustable wrench
Flat-head screwdriver
Penetrating oil
Replacement washers and O-rings

Step 1: Turn Off Water Supply

Before you begin disassembling the faucet, ensure you turn off the water supply to ensure no standing water remains in the fixture and prevent water from spilling out during repair work.

Step 2: Disassemble The Handle Knobs

Use a flat-head screwdriver to pry off the parts of the handle knobs. Unscrew the handle and apply some penetrating oil to the knob to loosen it. Use a flat-head screwdriver to take the faucet handle off the stem.

Step 3: Loosen The Packing Nut

Use an adjustable wrench to loosen the packing nut so as to access the stem and remove it. Lubricate it with penetrating oil if it doesn’t turn. Inspect the removed parts for any damage.

Step 4: Inspect The O-Ring and Washer

The O-ring and washer can become loose or wear out over regular use, resulting in a leaky faucet. To replace an O-ring, pull the spout in an upwards direction and replace damaged O-rings. If the washer is worn out, remove it and install a new one inside the seat. Once you're done with this step, reassemble your faucet back together.

NOTE: The replacement O-rings and washers should be an exact fit to avoid leaving spaces that will result in leakages when you assemble your faucet.

If you have difficulties completing any of these steps, call a plumber to help you.

Are You in Need of Faucet Leak Repair or Leak Detection? Call Leak Detection of Atlanta

Faucets are an important part of your plumbing system and keeping them in top shape is imperative. A leaky faucet can cause inconveniences and add to your water bill. You should never ignore a leaky faucet because it can quickly turn into an expensive plumbing replacement project. When you have a leaky faucet in your home or business premises, be sure to call an experienced plumber to take care of the problem. At Leak Detection of Atlanta, we provide faucet leak repair, leak detection, sink & toilet leak repair, appliance leak repair, and more.