Fixing a Leaky Faucet

We’ve all heard the sound of a leaky faucet. It’s the tell-tale drip drip drip that doesn’t stop, no matter how tight you close that valve. When you have a dripping faucet chances are great that you’ve got a bigger issue than a loose handle. It’s likely that there is something going on that will require breaking down the faucet and even looking at the pipe. This is something that can be done from home or you can hire a professional to take care of the issue. First you’ll want to make sure you have the right tools for the job. You’ll need an adjustable wrench. Most homeowners have an adjustable wrench, but some don’t. You can pick them up at your local hardware store, but be prepared to spend around $20.00. You can’t fix a leaky faucet without first owning an adjustable wrench. These wrenches come in handy for a number of around-the-house DIY jobs, so it’s worth the money spent. Once you have the wrench, you can begin taking apart your faucet. Make sure to cut the water supply, before taking anything apart. You don’t want your leaky faucet to turn into a waterfall and ruin your flooring and pipes. Make sure to take each piece apart carefully and set them nearby, keeping track of which piece belongs where. You don’t want to end up with a dissembled faucet and not know how to put it back together. At this point you may find that it’s your stem faucet that’s dripping. This is an easy fix. You simply need to replace the washer that seals against the valve seats. Oftentimes washers wear out. This happens a lot as water can naturally corrode the metal overtime. Replacing a washer on a leaky faucet is quick and easy. You may also find that this washer needs to be replaced on the hot side and not the cold side of the facet. This is due to hot water wearing down the metal faster than cold water does. In order to determine which side is the leaky side, simply shut off one angle stop under the sink. If you find out that the issue isn’t due to a corroded washer, than you may want to call a plumbing expert for advice or service. Sometimes having a friend in this business helps. Oftentimes a drip or a leak is indicative of a greater issue. If you live in an older home or have never had a plumber to your house before, it may be time to schedule service. A plumber is an expert at determining what’s causing the issue and how to fix it. They can also advice you on what regular maintenance needs to be performed, in order to ensure you don’t have an ongoing issue. Sometimes a faucet can be fixed on one’s own, sometimes it requires the skills and expertise of a professional. A dripping faucet should not go ignored for too long. In order to ensure the leaky faucet issue does not lead to greater issues, you’ll want to deal with it as soon as possible. ‘