How to Fix a Dripping Compression-Type Faucet
Whether you're having a pool under your sink, or you're starting to get annoyed to the creepy dripping sound that keeps you up all night, a simple faucet leak can easily turn into a bigger problem if not fixed properly. It's a good thing that repairing a leaky faucet can be quite simple and inexpensive. Here's a step-by-step guide to stop a faucet leak.
1. Prepare the tools you'll need. You will need flat-head screwdriver and/or Philips, adjustable wrench or a C wrench, slip-joint pliers, replacement washers and O-rings, sink plug, and penetrating oil such as CRC or WD-40.
2. Turn off your main water supply. Avoid making a bigger problem by transforming your faulty faucet into a fountain. You should also shut off the water supply from the sink handles to the knobs underneath which controls the entry of water. Then turn the faucet on back again to drain any remaining water.
3. Plug the drain with a sink plug or a rag. This will prevent screws or washers from going down the drain.
4. Find out what type of faucet you're dealing with. There are four common types of household faucets - compression faucet, ball faucet, cartridge faucet, and ceramic-disc faucet. A compression type faucet consists of two screw handles for hot and cold water. The other three types share something in common. They all have a central, swivelling arm which you can adjust from hot to cold. However, the three types vary in the internal mechanisms working underneath their arms. You may have to disassemble your faucet to know what type of faucet you're dealing with.
Fixing a Compression Faucet
1. Remove the Handles. If your compression-type faucet keeps on dripping after the handles are shut off, remove both handles and check the stern assemblies for any signs of damage.
2. Expose the screw holding the handle. Remove the handle knob's decorative parts with a flat-head screwdriver. This will expose the screw that attaches the handle to the faucet's stern. Unscrew it and gently remove the handle.
3. Use slip-joint pliers to loosen the retaining nut which mounts the stern in place.
4. Inspect for damage. Check the stern assembly for any signs of damage. Inspect the rubber washer. If it looks fine, then remove the packing nut and see if the O-rings are damaged.
5. If the washer is damaged, then remove the screw and have it replaced with a new one.
6. If an O-ring is damaged, cut it off using a utility knife. Then, coat a new one using heat proof grease. Then, place a new O-ring using a flat-head screwdriver to guide you.
7. Look for rough spots. If the O-rings and washer are fine, check around the valve seat for any rough spots. Do this using your hand. If the valve seat has damage, get a seat wrench to get rid of the damaged seats. Replace the seats with new ones.
8. Reassemble the faucet. When you've finally detected the problem and fixed it, the next thing to do is reassemble the faucet.
9. Turn the water supply on. Check both the hot and cold water handles to make sure they're both working properly without leaks.
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