How To Fix a Leaky Faucet

Did you know that a faucet leaking at just one drip per second can waste more than 3,000 gallons of water per year? Leaky faucets are a frustrating problem for any homeowner, and it’s important to address them quickly so that you can save water and money.

In this blog, our plumbing professionals at Dean’s Home Services provide steps to help you fix your leaky faucets.

Why Do Faucets Leak?

Before fixing a faucet, it can be helpful to know why it’s leaking so that you know what needs to be fixed. Common causes of leaky faucets include:

• Worn-out washers
• Damaged O-rings
• Corroded valve seats
• Too high water pressure
• Loose or worn parts
• Cracked pipes or plumbing issues

To determine which of these causes is behind your leaky faucet, you’ll need to do some troubleshooting. First, look for where the leak is coming from. If it’s dripping from the spout, it’s likely a worn-out washer or corroded seat valve. If it’s leaking from the base, a worn-out O-ring or a loose seal could be to blame.

Also, it’s helpful to note when the leak occurs. Constant drips are often due to worn washers or a valve seat issue, whereas leaks when the faucets turn on are more likely due to a faulty O-ring or a loose part.

Tools You’ll Need To Fix Your Faucet

Before attempting to fix your leaky faucet, assemble the tools you will need. Depending on your sink, these tools include:

• Adjustable wrench
• Philips and flathead screwdrivers
• Allen wrench
• Plumber’s tape
• Plumber’s grease
• Needle-nose pliers
• Buckets and towels
• Replacement parts (washers, O-rings, etc.)

Steps for Fixing Your Leaky Faucet

How you fix your faucet depends on what type of faucet you have in your home. There are four main kinds of faucets, and each requires its own repair method.

Compression Faucets

If you have a compression faucet, you most likely need a new seat washer:

1. Take off the decorative cap on the handle and remove the screw.
2. Pull off the faucet handle. Use a crescent wrench to unscrew the packing nut.
3. Remove and replace the seat washer.

Ball-Type Faucets

These faucets have a lot of parts, so you will want to buy a replacement kit and place in all new parts:

1. Use adjustable pliers to remove the cap and collar.
2. Loosen the faucet cam and lift it out, along with the washer and rotating ball.
3. Use needle-nose pliers to remove all of the seals and springs.
4. Cut off the O-rings, coat the new ones in heat-proof plumber’s grease, and replace the rest of the parts.

Cartridge Faucets

To fix your cartridge faucet, follow these steps:

1. Take off the decorative cap on the handle of the faucet by removing the screw, tilting the handle back, and pulling it off.
2. Use needle-nose pliers to remove the threaded retaining clip (if it exists).
3. Remove the spout and cut off the old O-rings.
4. Reassemble the unit with the new parts.

Ceramic-Disk Faucets

Ceramic-disk faucets can be fixed using this method:

1. Push the faucet handle back and remove the screw to lift off the handle.
2. Remove the escutcheon cap and unscrew the disk cylinder mounting screws. Lift out the cylinder.
3. Use a blunt screwdriver to lift out the neoprene seals.
4. Clean and replace with new parts.

Call Dean’s for Faucet Repairs

If you’ve tried fixing your leaky faucet to no avail, it’s time to call in the professionals. Dean’s Home Services has served the Twin Cities area since 1996, and we have the expertise required to repair all kinds of faucet and sink issues. Our friendly plumbers will get to the root of your leaky faucet and fix it fast, all while providing top-notch customer service.

Contact Dean’s today to schedule plumbing repairs in Minneapolis, St. Paul, or the surrounding areas.