Tips on How to Fix a Leaky Faucet

With the nuisance that a leaky faucet brings, and the ridiculously high costs of plumbing works, it is imperative you learn how to fix a leaky faucet by yourself. Gone are the days where you have to call up a plumber and stare wide-eyed upon the receipt of a billing. All you have to do is follow these simple and easy to understand steps in fixing a leaky faucet.

For as long as you have the right tools and materials, learning how to fix a leaky faucet can be very easy. The basic materials and tools that you'll need will comprise mainly of a new washer (get one that is suited to the type of faucet you have at home), some rags, a wrench, and a screwdriver.

But before you start pulling your faucet apart, turn off the main water supply first. This can be done by turning the shutoff or control valve counter-clockwise (off). If you don't know where your control valve is, you can try looking under the sink and tracing the pipes.

Other than that, you also have to plug up the drain with the use of rags. By doing so, you are preventing small parts like washer and screws to go down the drain.

Once that is accomplished, you can now start repairing the leaky faucet. But first, be informed that these steps should be followed only when you have a conventional faucet. Other unconventional faucets might be more complicated, and you might use specific repair kits for it.

1. Just below the handle, where the faucet stem is attached to the water pipe, is a nut. Use a wrench to twist the nut counterclockwise to remove it. Turn the handle counterclockwise until you are able to remove it completely.

2. Once you have detached the handle, you will see a rubber-like washer that is held down by a screw. This washer is probably very old and falling down to pieces, which could be the reason why your faucet is leaking in the first place. Remove the old washer by unscrewing it, and then install the new washer. Remember that the new washer's size should just be similar to that of the old washer. Tighten the screws on the new washer to secure it in place.

3. Reassemble everything. Replace the faucet handle (turn it clockwise), and tighten back the stem nut to its original location.

4. Do the checking. Turn the water back on and see if the faucet still leaks. If it still is, either you need to screw things more tightly or, you need to buy a new faucet rather than a new washer. And if all else fails, seek professional help and call a plumber.

And there they are - easy to follow and simple steps that will guide you about how to fix a leaky faucet. Now you can do it by yourself! There's no need for you to call a plumber, or even your handy neighbor to help you around a leaky faucet. By doing it yourself, you free yourself from irritating dripping sounds, nasty sink stains brought upon by long-standing drips, and water wastage due to constant dripping. Put these steps close to your heart and you will never be in distress again.