A leaky faucet can be incredibly annoying, not to mention wasteful. The constant dripping can drive up your water bill, and over time it can cause damage by letting moisture seep into cabinets or walls. Luckily, fixing a leaky faucet is a straightforward DIY task that most homeowners can tackle in about an hour with some basic tools and parts.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll outline everything you need to know as a beginner to fix that pesky leaky faucet in your kitchen or bathroom once and for all.
The Importance of Fixing Leaky Faucets
There are a few key reasons why it’s worth your time and effort to fix minor leaks around faucet handles and spouts:
- Prevent Water Waste: Even small drips can waste hundreds of gallons over weeks or months, driving up your utility bills unnecessarily.
- Avoid Moisture Damage: Left unchecked, small leaks can lead to rot, mold, and mildew if moisture seeps into cabinetry or walls around your sinks.
- Prevent Bigger Problems: Neglecting minor leaks now may lead to more significant leaks down the road requiring more expensive repairs.
- Improve Function: Worn washers, O-rings, and valves that cause drips also hamper your faucet’s flow and function over time.
What Typically Causes Leaky Faucets?
In most cases, faucet leaks stem from fairly routine wear and tear over months or years of use:
- Old Seals/Washers: The rubber O-rings and seals within faucets harden and lose flexibility over time, allowing water to slowly seep through.
- Mineral Buildup: Mineral deposits around internal valves and seats can prevent them from sealing watertight.
- Loose/Damaged Parts: Internal components like rubber washers and brass seats can simply get loose or sustain damage that prevents a tight seal.
Materials/Tools You’ll Need
Fixing a leaky faucet is often a quick and simple DIY job. In most cases, you likely have the necessary tools on hand already. Here’s a checklist of useful materials and tools:
Essential Supplies
- Cloth or paper towels
- A container to catch/drain water
- Flashlight
- Replacement washers
- Faucet grease
- Plumber’s putty
Helpful Tools
- Adjustable wrenches
- Basin wrench
- Groove-joint pliers
- Teflon tape
- Small screwdriver
- Plumbers tape
Pro Tip: Many home improvement stores sell comprehensive faucet repair kits for $10-15 with all the small rubber seals, O-rings, and washers you’ll likely need. These can save you time and guesswork compared to buying individual parts.
Step-By-Step Guide
With the right gears in hand, you’re ready to tackle that drip!
Fixing most basic faucet leaks involves six key steps:
- Shutting off water supply lines
- Removing handles/accessing internal hardware
- Disassembling the faucet
- Replacing worn seals and washers
- Reassembling the faucet
- Turning the water back on and testing for leaks
Let’s walk through what’s involved with each step.
Step 1: Turn Off the Water Supply
Before tackling any repair, it’s crucial to shut off the water lines feeding the leaky faucet. This prevents any accidents, damage, or unexpected spraying while you work.
The shut-off valves are typically located under the main sink basin. You’ll usually find two valves in the form of knurled metal cylinders built into the feed lines coming out of the wall.
- Locate the hot and cold shut-off valves under the sink.
- Turn each one clockwise as far as it will go.
Once closed, turn on the faucet briefly to drain out any residual water from the lines. Have some towels or a small bucket ready to catch any remaining drips.
With the lines depleted, you can now safely work on removing the faucet handle and internal parts without unwanted soakings!
Step 2: Remove the Faucet Handle
Handle removal is the next step toward accessing the internal workings to replace any worn seals causing the leak.
With the water off, removing the handle requires just a few quick steps:
- Pop off any decorative cap sitting on top of the handle if present. Insert a thin flat screwdriver under the edge of the cap to gently pry it loose.
- Under the cap, you’ll find a screw that holds the handle firmly onto a spline connector. Use a Phillips or flat-blade screwdriver to remove this screw.
- With the screw gone, firmly grip and pull the handle straight upward to detach it from the spline below. This may require some force if it’s stuck tightly.
With the top handle off, some faucets have an additional “bonnet nut” lower down that holds the cartridge or valve unit firmly in place within the faucet body. Use an adjustable wrench or basin wrench to remove this.
You now have access to the internal parts responsible for controlling water flow and sealing the system.
Step 3: Disassemble the Faucet
With the cosmetic handle removed, it’s time to dig into the faucet’s inner workings to find the source of those leaks.
In this step, you’ll identify the different components and systematically take them apart for inspection and maintenance.
There are generally four faucet configurations you’ll encounter:
- Compression Faucets
- Cartridge Faucets
- Ceramic Disc Faucets
- Ball Faucets
The disassembly process varies slightly among these. Let’s break down the key differences:
Compression Faucet Repair
Compression faucets are the simplest variety, using individual rubber washers and brass seats that get pressed together to seal water in and engage flow.
To access the internal washers and seats, remove any additional flange nuts or casings until you can see and extract the two key components shown above.
Examine them for cracks, pitting, or obvious damage. Try scrubbing any stuck mineral deposits with white vinegar and an old toothbrush.
Cartridge Faucet Repair
These use a plastic or metal cartridge unit that controls water flow and volume. Just pull out the intact cartridge to replace the entire module with a matching replacement.
Pry off any entry caps or handles until you locate mounting nuts holding the cartridge in place within the faucet body. Remove any clips, casings, or retaining pins until you can remove the entire cartridge mechanism.
Ceramic Disc Faucet Repair
Ceramic disc systems rely on two hard ceramic discs rubbing tightly together to control the flow. Removing the discs gives access to small seals underneath.
Pry off the faucet cap and unscrew the securing nut with a basin wrench until the spout pulls smoothly out of the main body. The twin ceramic discs and a cylindrical cartridge will come with it.
Carefully pry the discs apart to access the underlying O-rings and seals between them. You can leave the discs themselves intact if they aren’t cracked.
Ball Faucets Repair
These use a rotating ball mechanism with holes designed to control water volume & movement. Just pull the ball up and out to access small rubber seals and inlet O-rings beneath.
Once again, use pliers or wrenches to remove any retaining nuts or snap fittings until the ball mechanism comes free. Use small O-ring picks or needlenose pliers to safely pry it straight upwards without twisting or damaging the ball component.
Examine seals for wear or mineral deposits and clean or replace as needed. Lubricate parts during re-assembly.
Step 4: Replace Worn Parts
With your leaky faucet disassembled, closely check soft internal seals for cracks, pits, and wear using a flashlight. Ensure hard parts aren’t loose or corroded.
Confirm which specific piece has failed before attempting any repairs:
- Rubber Seals/O-RIngs: Ensure they have good tension and flexibility without any cracks or brittleness. Replace if hardened, worn or visibly damaged. Always use exact size and thickness replacements to ensure a watertight seal without obstruction.
- Plastic/Brass Seats: Look for deep grooves, pitting, mineral deposits or other damage that prevents a watertight seal against washers. Gently pry out and replace if compromised.
- Washers: Seek flat spots, cracks or tears in these fiber components where water can seep past. A deep concave cupping on one side also shows excessive wear. Replace warped or damaged washers for full water control.
- Cartridges: Pull old cartridge units straight out without twisting or rocking motions. Purchase precise replacement cartridges matching your brand and model. These take just seconds to swap.
- Ceramic Discs: Check for chips, pits or cracks around the edges. Replace discs if damage is evident. Seek smooth flat surfaces across each one larger than a dime for full coverage.
Always use replacement kits and parts designed specifically for your faucet brand and model. Using third-party or universal components risks poor fit and seal performance. Purchase parts in-store or check manufacturers’ websites to source perfect replacement matches.
Step 5: Reassemble the Faucet
With fresh seals, washers, O-rings or cartridges in hand, you’re ready to put your faucet back together drip-free!
Re-assembly is the reverse of the disassembly process outlined earlier:
- Dry & Prep Parts: Carefully dry all faucet components with a towel to remove moisture left over from use or test fittings
- Replace Seals: Press any fresh O-rings, gaskets or seals securely into their same prior placements
- Reinstall Valves: Drop repaired washers or swap in new cartridges, discs or ball valves in the proper sequence and alignments. Refer to the exploded diagrams above for guidance.
- Secure Fittings: Hand tighten retaining nuts, valves, and mounting bolts to secure the working components back into the faucet bodies snugly
- Replace Cosmetic Handles: Reattach hot/cold adjustment handles, lever arms, button caps and any décor caps to restore your faucet’s original appearance and function
Some key pointers during reassembly:
- Be extremely gentle not to tear, twist or roll soft rubber seals as you work replacement parts into place. Use water or faucet grease to ease them along if needed.
- Follow any paper instructions in replacement part kits closely
- Never force components that don’t seem to fit – stop and recheck alignments to prevent damage
- Hand tighten mounting nuts firmly initially, then make a final small tighten turn with pliers or basin wrenches
With all interior seals replaced, valve components realigned, and decorative handles reattached, you’re ready to put your upgraded faucet through its paces!
Step 6: Turn the Water Back On
The moment of truth has arrived!
With fresh seals and gaskets installed in their proper sequence, it’s time to turn that water back on!
- Confirm all tools, rags and extra parts are removed under the sink
- Remove any container you have under the faucet capturing the remaining drips
- Double-check that all newly replaced internal seals and components are firmly in place
- Turn hot and cold shut off valves counterclockwise slowly to restore full water pressure to the faucet feed lines
- Stand by with one hand on each valve as water begins flowing again in case further tightening is needed
Initially, crack each valve slightly to allow flow to begin slowly just in case. Open further once you’ve confirmed no major drips or seepage.
Step 7: Test Operation & Check for Leaks
The final step is confirming your repair operation by testing the faucet function and checking for any remaining drips overnight.
After fully restoring water flow, run the hot and cold sides for 30 seconds each checking that water runs clean without obstruction. Test spray wand functionality if your model includes one. Ensure handles turn smoothly through their full range.
With the faucet still running, check carefully under and around the spout and handles for signs of water drops. Tighten interior component nuts immediately if any seepage is still evident.
Once satisfied with the operation and drip control with the faucet active, do one final overnight leak check:
- Turn off the faucet and place a paper towel under and around the spout
- Leave overnight and check for moisture ring stains on the paper that would indicate a remaining slow leak
- Reopen the valves and tighten interior nuts further if leak persistence is an issue until all seepage stops
With no dripping overnight, you can rest easy knowing your repair was a success!
Conclusion
While intimidating to some, fixing a leaky faucet is one of the more straightforward DIY home repairs. In most cases with basic tools and replacement parts costing just a few dollars, you can overhaul worn washers, O-rings and valves in under an hour without needing to call a plumber.
To recap the overall process:
- Turn off hot and cold water lines under the sink
- Pop off the decorative faucet cap and handles to access the internal hardware
- Identify your faucet variety and disassemble to reveal flow valves and seals
- Swap in new replacement washers, O-rings, cartridges or seals as needed
- Carefully reassemble components in reverse sequence
- Restore water flow and test for smooth operation without leaks
Tackling the occasional leaky faucet yourself keeps repair dollars in your wallet and prevents small drips from becoming bigger headaches down the road. Added confidence in your own DIY skills makes home ownership a little more rewarding.
With the steps above committed to memory, a minor drip should never cause major headaches again! Arm yourself with this leaky faucet knowledge so you can tackle future problems fearlessly on your own the next time your sink starts sputtering. You’ve got this!