How To Fix an Irritating Problem: Leaky Faucet
There are several different types and each will require a different approach when deciding on how to fix a leaky faucet. This article covers pillar faucets, like the one in the photo.
The approach to fixing any faucet is to turn the water off at the mains first. This is very important because if you forget and unscrew the faucet off first, you will have a water fountain of epic proportions inside your home. Just imagine the mess! You would need at least a gallon of tea to make you feel better after that little episode.
Some homes have a tap next to the basin or under the sink, in which case, you won’t have to turn off the mains to the whole house, just to the sink or basin.
Items Needed
- Adjustable wrench
- Screwdriver
- Masking tape or electrical insulation tape
- New washer (must be the exact size of the old one)
- Packing, O-ring, or packing washer (you will only know which has been used once you have taken the packing nut off)
How To Fix a Leaky Faucet
Turn off the water mains if there isn’t a tap under the sink, or a tap next to the basin.
Open the faucet to let the trapped water out.
Cover the jaws of the adjustable wrench with masking or electrical tape to protect the finish on your faucet if you have to use it to remove the handle.
Use a flat screwdriver to carefully pry off the fancy faucet cover.
Underneath that you will see a screw.
Using the correct screwdriver, take it out.
Remove the handle.
Use an adjustable wrench to unscrew the packing nut. That hexagonal thingy.
The packing nut prevents water from leaking out around the handle.
Check to see what was used to seal the packing nut. (O-ring, packing washer, or packing)
Pull or twist the stem assembly out and check the washer at the bottom.
There should be a screw holding the washer in place.
Undo the screw and take the washer off to take with you to the store so that you can get the exact same size. It must be able to withstand hot water, otherwise it will warp and you will be back where you started. Remember to get whatever was sealing the packing nut too.
If your stem assembly has something that looks like a top hat instead of a washer, pull it off and replace it with a new one.
Reassemble the pieces with the new washer in place.
The Packing Nut
If the packing nut has an O-ring or packing washer, put a new one in when you reassemble the faucet.
Packing will need a different approach though.
Remove the old packing from the stem and wind new packing the width of the packing nut and then half as much again. The packing nut will compress the packing on the stem.
Don’t tighten the packing nut too much, but if water leaks out around the handle, tighten it just a little more.
Finish the faucet assembly, turn the water back on, and check for leaks.
What If The Faucet Still Leaks?
Then there is another problem. The valve seat could be corroded and pitted. In that case, it’s best to call in a plumber. Resurfacing the valve seat will require special tools.
Learning how to fix a leaky faucet yourself is easy enough and will save a whole lot on plumber’s bills.
©Kerry Biddle, 2020
Resources
Dripping tap – Image by picturegal from Pixabay
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