Guide to Fixing a Leaky Faucet

If you use a sink long enough, eventually the faucet is going to leak. Usually this is a simple, worn, part that needs replacing. The secret to fixing a leaky faucet is knowing what type of valve is used to control the water. The easiest way to diagnose the problem is to turn off the water, disassemble the faucet, and take it to a home improvement store, where you can ask what type valve you have.

Since compression faucets used most often, the following instructions are intended to replace the washer, which is a common reason that faucets leak.

First, you’ll want to make sure you have shut the water off at the shutoff valve, which will be located inside your house. Make sure the water is off, or it’s going to spurt when you disassemble the faucet. As you begin taking your faucet apart, make sure you lay the parts out in order, because this will make it easier to put back together.

Next, you’re going to want to remove the screw that holds that handle in place. Sometimes, this is beneath a “Hot” or “Cold” cap, which can easily be pried off using a regular screwdriver or a butter knife.

Now, you need to remove the stem on a sink faucet, and unscrew the nut under the handle with pliers, and lift the stem out. (The stem is the work part of the faucet below the handle.) If you’re working on a tub faucet, you’ll need to remove the first nut on the stem, and then use a socket wrench to loosen a larger nut that holds the bonnet in place. (The bonnet is the thing that looks like a cup and covers the tub stem.)

At the bottom of the stem, you’ll find the washer. Remove the washer from the stem, either by prying it off or by unscrewing it, if necessary. Get in your car and drive to hardware or a plumbing supply store, and buy 6 replacements exactly like the washer you removed from the stem. This way, anytime you need to fix a leaky faucet, you’ll have the part you need right in your toolbox.

Now, attach the new washer to the stem, and carefully reassemble the faucet. If you laid your parts out in order as you removed them, this should be easy. Simply reverse the order in which you removed the parts, and you faucet is back together! Make sure the faucets are turned off, or they’ll spurt when you turn the water back on.

Finally, turn the water back on by opening the shutoff valve. Once the water is on again, slowly turn on the faucet that you just fixed, and let the water run for a minute. When you turn it off, the leak should be gone, and if it isn’t you’ll need to call a licensed plumber to fix a more serious problem.

While a leaky faucet doesn’t seem like a big deal, it can be costly. Think about this: 1 drop of water every second adds up to more than 6 gallons of water each day, or 42 gallons each week. Not only is this wasteful, but will also be reflected in your water bill!