How to Stop a Leaking Faucet

Jul 19, 2022

Dripping faucets aren’t just annoying. They also are wastewater. If a faucet drips 20 times per minute, it wastes approximately two gallons daily, or 700 gallons yearly. That’s a lot of wasted water and the water that goes down the drain. Learn how to fix a dripping faucet:

Getting Started

In the beginning, you’ll need some essential supplies to fix a leaking faucet. What you will require:

  • Phillips-head screwdriver
  • Flat-head screwdriver
  • Wrench
  • Pliers
  • Penetrating oils
  • Grease of the plumber
  • O-rings and other replacement parts for your particular faucet

After that, turn the water shut-off valve beneath your sink to shut off the water flow. The most important thing is for the dripping tap to become Old Faithful! It is also advisable to stop your drain with a built-in stopper or a cloth to keep small bits from being swept away in the gutter.

Determine the Type of Faucet You Have

Compression faucets come with two handles, which makes them the easiest to identify through the lens. The other kinds get equipped with one handle that rotates from cold to hot according to the preference. You might need to remove the faucet before knowing what type you’re using. Be aware that ball faucets get equipped with ball bearings. Cartridge faucets usually feature a cap with a decorative design on the handle and come with ceramic disk faucets with a ceramic cylinder.

Discover the Source of the Water

When the handle of your faucet leak, you can typically solve the issue with an easy replacement of the O-ring. Pull the cap covering the handle and remove the stem to expose the O-ring as required. Replace it with a new O-ring. Repeat the procedure with the other handle if needed.

Leaks from the spout are more challenging to fix using different methods based on the kind of faucet you’ve got.

Additional Tips for Fixing a Dripping Faucet

When using your wrench and screwdriver to remove elements, ensure that you don’t scratch the surface. Covering the twist with an apron to shield the faucet is possible.

The handle on the faucet is hard to pull out. Use penetrating oil like WD-40 to loosen it up so you can get it out more quickly.

Most faucets in bathrooms and kitchens contain a few small parts that may not be familiar to you. It gets recommended to take pictures during the process and then set out the details on towels in the order in which you removed them to make reassembling easier after the work gets done.

Incubate any item coated with mineral deposits in white vinegar in a bowl for a few hours. It will break up the scales and let you determine whether the items are reusable. If not, you’ll require replacing the faucet or purchasing a brand new faucet if the components aren’t readily available. For older faucets, specific details beyond the O-rings might need replacement.

To Fix Your Dripping Faucet, Contact Ottawa Plumbing Service

You may run into unexpected issues while working on this plumbing repair. If so, don’t hesitate to call Ottawa Plumbing Service at (613) 317-1682 or email at info@ottawaplumbingservice.com for help. We’ll send a certified plumber to your residence to complete a quality, cost-effective repair to your faucet.

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