How do you fix a leaky faucet?

Answer 1

Fixing a leaky faucet is often a simple matter of replacing the rubber seat and the packing. (Note: This does not apply to ball type faucets.) * Turn off water to the faucet at the valve under the sink. * Open the faucet and make sure the water is actually off. * Remove the handle. This varies from faucet to faucet, but most often there is a screw under a cap. * After removing the handle you should see a nut around the shaft of the valve. Remove this nut. * Remove as much of the old packing that was between the shaft and the nut as you can. * Using the handle, unscrew the valve core from the body of the faucet. Turn it in the direction you would to turn the faucet on. * At the bottom of the valve core you removed should be a rubber seat held in by a screw. Remove this. * Take the valve core and rubber seat to the hardware store to get a new rubber piece. Also get new packing. Without packing the faucet will leak under the handle. The old packing cannot be re-used. * Assemble the new rubber seat into the valve core. * Clean any old packing off the valve core and the nut. * Screw the valve core back into the faucet body. * Wrap a few turns of packing onto the valve body. Hand tighen the nut back on. * Do not install the handle yet. * Carefully turn the water back on. You should be able to turn the water fully on and off. If the faucet leaks at the valve stem, tighten the nut until it stops. Do not overtighten the nut as it will make it difficult to remove later and will make the faucet handle stiff. * Re-attach the handle. There are many different kinds of faucets or taps. This might apply to yours. *Turn off the main stopcock so the water won't pour out when you remove the tap/faucet. *Start with the top. Is there a little nut or screw you can remove to separate the handle? If there is you can remove that. You might have to hit the handle upwards or outwards with the handle of a hammer. Try not to damage anything. Even if you can't get the handle off, you might still be able to continue below. *You should then be able to unscrew something. It might just be a cover. You might need a stilson wrench for this. Sometimes the cover is on a spring that you can pull forward to expose the nut behind. *Then there might be a nut to unscrew which will remove the whole front of the faucet or tap. You WILL need a wrench or shifting spanner for this. *Pull out the valve with your fingers. If it is worn and leaking, you should replace it. A worn valve is the most common problem with leaking taps. *Then put everything back. Unless you are throwing away the old faucet/tap and replacing it with a new one. *Make sure you can turn the front handle before you tighten up the back nut. *Turn on the main stopcock. *Clean up all the dirt and muddy water from the floor. *Take a shower to test it before you tell everyone else of your magnificent achievement. turn off the water.. OR! better yet.. call a plumber Replace it. Replace it. That's easy. You need to replace the faucet washer. it's fairly simple to do, just make sure you turn off the water under the sink before you start taking the faucet off. Any knowledgeable hardware store employee should be able to assist you. Replace the rubber washer inside the faucet.
To do this you must turn off the water to the faucet; usually this means turn off the city water supply to the house.
Remove the handle, expose and remove the old washer.
Take both to Plumbing supply and obtain replacement washer if none on hand. Install and then turn on the water.
turn water off at sink, remove hoses, remove nuts under sink [on faucet]

remove faucet, clean area, replace with new one,

[don,t forget to put rubber gasket under it] install new nuts, tighten

attach water lines, turn water back on. go to lowes or Home Depot and have someone in the plumbing dept.walk you thru the process and then decide if you really want to try it on your own. its not rocket science but its not easy for the average joe either. I could describe it all for you but the above method is way better for you!! check the washer or the o ring, it may need replacing == Answer== Any faucet is easy to fix if you have the right tools, parts and can get the faucet apart. It is not always easy to have all of the above. I would call a plumber. unscrew it or pull off. You can tell the difference if it has a lock screw under the faucet. Pay attention to sealant. When replacing make sure the pipe is the correct length and size for your replacement faucet.