Learn 5 easy steps to fixing a leaky faucet.

2. Did you know that household leaks can waste nearly 1
trillion gallons of water annually in the USA? According
to the United States Environmental Protection Agency,
leaks can waste 10,000 gallons of water every year per
household and 10% of homes have leaks that waste 90
gallons or more per day. Fixing leaky faucet can save
you more than ten percent on your water bill!

3. A faucet is a device that delivers water from a plumbing
system. It has some components which include a spout,
handle(s), lift rod, cartridge, aerator, mixing chamber,
and water inlets. Almost every homeowner at one
point or another faces the problem of leakage of a
faucet. Here are some instructions you can follow to fix
a leaky faucet.

4. Before You Start
There are some precautions you need to take before
trying to fix the faucet. It will make the job easier down
the road.

5. The first step is to shut the water off under the sink.
Then close the sink drain and cover it with a rag to
catch dropped parts. Moreover, it is important to tape
the jaws of your wrench with a layer of duct tape to
avoid scratching the fixtures. Next, you need to find a
place to lay the parts in order of removal. At last. make
sure to use distilled white vinegar and a soft scouring
pad for removing mineral deposits on faucet parts.
Here are the 5 steps to fixing a leaky faucet:

6. 1. Shut Off the Water
Begin by turning the water off. Do not make the
mistake of taking apart the faucet, else you could end
up with a flooded kitchen or bathroom. Locate the
shutoff valves below the sink
to turn off the water to the fixture. Alternatively, you
can also turn off the main water supply for the entire
house. Turn on the faucet to verify that the water is
shut off and to relieve pressure from the lines. Cover
the drain with a lid to avoid losing any small parts down
the hole

7. 2. Remove Faucet Handles
You can use a flathead screwdriver to remove the
decorative handles from the faucet. Use a high-quality
screwdriver to remove the screws holding the handles
in place. Sometimes you will find screws and other
handle parts are corroded that can make it difficult to
remove them. You can use lubricants to loosen the
parts. Set the parts aside and make a note as to where
they go and how to reinstall them.

8. 3. Inspect the Faucet Parts
Use the wrench to loosen the packing nut and reveal
the stem. You can then twist or pry the stem off of the
valve. Inspect the packing nut and the stem for signs of
buildup or corrosion. Additionally, check the O-ring and
the washer in the valve seat to make sure that they are
in good condition too. Clean the parts as needed to
remove any buildup or deposits, and then set them to
the side.

9. 4. Clean the Valves
After all of the parts have been removed from the
faucet, you can inspect the valves. There is likely a fair
amount of mineral depositing or other buildup. Pour
white vinegar over the affected areas and allow
everything to soak for several minutes. This helps
dissolve the deposits to make them easier to remove.
Use the scouring pad to clean the surfaces. Remove the
stopper from the drain and pour clean water over the
valves to rinse away any dirt and debris.

10. 5. Put the Faucet Back Together
Put the faucet back together in reverse order of the
order you followed when you took it apart. If any of the
parts are overly corroded or damaged, be sure to
replace them with new parts. Now, turn the water
supply back on and inspect the faucet for leaks.

11. Know When to Replace the Faucet
As with anything else, faucets deteriorate with age and
need to be replaced sooner or later. If the faucet you
are working with is old, then it might be time to replace
it with a new one. Many faucets have a lifespan of
about 10 years before they require major repairs or
replacement. If you are frustrated with not being able
to fix your leaky faucet yourself, don’t worry!
Plumbing911 has your back. You can give a call on (866)
720-0911 a Toll-Free number.