We’re going to show you some DIY plumbing tips to fix a leaky faucet. Read on to find out how to fix and prevent these annoying leaks.
Getting Started
Before you begin, take a close look at the dripping faucet to figure out where the water is coming from. Leakage from the end of the spout necessitates a different fix than a leak around the base.
Then turn off the dripping faucet’s water source. Shutoff valves are most likely to be found under the sink. If those valves fail or you don’t have any, you’ll have to shut off the water supply to your entire house. To alleviate water pressure and ensure that the water is turned off, open the faucet to the center position after turning it off. Finally, use strainer baskets or rags to cover the sink drain holes to prevent small pieces from falling down the drain.
DIY Faucet Disassembly Plumbing Tips
As you remove pieces, please pay careful attention to their order and orientation. In case you forget, a digital camera or video camera comes in handy for capturing each move. Set the pieces aside in the order they were removed for easier reassembly. Examine the interior of the valve for pieces of deteriorated gaskets or mineral deposits after all of the parts have been removed. Clean the surface with a cloth or a fine nylon abrasive pad. Soak mineral deposits in vinegar to loosen them.
Plugged holes in the faucet body can cause slow water flow. Clean them out with a tiny screwdriver or a penknife. Keep a rag over the leaking faucet and turn the shut-off valve on slightly, to flush out anything that may have come loose during the cleaning and inspection before replacing worn parts and reassembling the faucet.
Open the faucet to the middle place after it has been reassembled, and progressively open the shutoff valves to turn on the stream. Allow the tap to remain open until the water runs freely, and all air has been removed from the pipes. The aerator may be plugged if the water flow through the faucet is sluggish. Clean out the aerator by unscrewing it.
Replacing Parts
Bring the worn-out parts to the store to be replaced. The brand name is often stamped on the faucet. This is important information when it comes to locating replacement pieces to perform the repair. However, in most situations, it is safer to bring the worn pieces to the store with you.
You’re in luck if you have a Delta or other rotary ball faucet since repair kits are often available at hardware stores, and home centers. Moen “cartridge-style” faucet cartridges and repair kits are also readily available. However, if you have a different model or a disc-style faucet, you can need to order parts because there are so many models for most stores to carry. When looking for a new cartridge, knowing the model name or number of the faucet is helpful. Otherwise, bring the cartridge to the store with you so you can compare it to a picture in the parts catalog.
If you’re having trouble locating components, contact the faucet’s maker for assistance. We hope these DIY plumbing tips helped you to fix your leaky faucet.
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