| Jan 27, 2017
– realtor.com
Drip … drip … drip … If you’ve ever heard this
sound, you’ve probably pondered how to fix a leaky faucet—and not just because
that repetitive noise is an insidious form of torture. The
Environmental Protection Agency reports that a single seemingly innocuous leak
can end up wasting 500 gallons of water a year, and raising your
water bill by nearly 10%.
So, for the sake of your savings account and your sanity, here’s a crash
course on the steps and tools you’ll need to make this important home
repair yourself.
How much does it cost to
fix a leaky faucet?
If you go straight to the pros and hire a handyman or plumber, a leaky faucet repair can
end up costing $150 to $250.
“I would charge at least $145, depending on the extent of the
leak,” says Marc Ricco of R&L Heating
and Plumbing, in Norristown, PA. This option is good for people
who lack a decent set of tools, or are all thumbs when it comes to repairs.
Because after all, as Ricco points out, “It’s important that plumbing work
is done up to code, both for resale assurances and so that a quick fix doesn’t
end up causing larger issues down the road.”
That said, if you’re reasonably apt at DIY tasks it’s entirely
possible to fix a leaky faucet yourself. It shouldn’t take long—less than a
half-hour—and since your labor is obviously free, replacement parts are your
only expense. While the price will depend on the model of your
faucet, most name brands offer faucet repair kits that can be found at
most home improvement stores for $10 to $20.
Tools you’ll need
- Kitchen towel
- Small flathead screwdriver
- Needle-nose pliers
- Hex wrench
- Lock-jaw pliers
- Replacement kit (varies, depending on
the make and model of the faucet)
Steps to fix a
leaky faucet
Generally, leaks result from wear and tear and can be solved by
simply replacing a few parts, although exactly which parts will depend on
where your leak originates. Faucets can leak from three places: the handle, the
base, or the waterline. For your classic dripping faucet, the problem is the
water valve. Replace that, and your leak should be fixed. Here are the steps.
Step No. 1: Turn
off both the hot and cold water supply under the sink, then turn on the
faucet to release any residual water. Close the drain, and place a kitchen
towel over it to prevent any parts from falling in and getting lost.
Step No. 2: Most single-handle faucets have plug buttons on the front or back
of the faucet. Use a small flathead screwdriver to remove it; doing
so will allow you to see the lock screw. As you remove parts, keep them in
order, so that you’ll be able to put the faucet back together the same way
later.
Step No. 3: Use the
hex wrench to loosen the lock screw until it’s loose enough to allow you
to lift off the handle.
Step No. 4: Once you
remove the handle, you should be able to unscrew the bonnet of the faucet with
your hands.
Step No. 5: Use
the pliers to remove the mounting nut.
Step No. 6: Take out
the valve cartridge. (Note: Not all faucets have valve cartridges. If yours
doesn’t, it will likely have either a ball mechanism or a group of washers and
springs that you should remove at this time. If you aren’t sure what type of
replacement parts you need, just bring the old one to the hardware
store to make finding a match easier.)
Step No. 7: Insert
the new valve cartridge in place. On the bottom of the valve, there are two
pegs that need to be aligned with two depressions in the valve body. In the
event that your faucet uses washers and springs or a ball mechanism, you should
replace those in the same formation as the originals, as well.
Step No. 8: Reassemble
the faucet in reverse order.
Step No. 9: Turn the
water back on, and test the faucet for leaks.
How to fix a
leaky faucet with two handles
The process for fixing this type of leak is very similar,
except for turning off the water supply and accessing the lock screw.
Since the leak is likely coming from either the hot or cold line, you’ll want
to turn off the water lines one at a time to determine the source of the leak.
If the faucet is still dripping after you turn off the first water line, you’ll
know that the leak is coming from the other valve.
After you’ve found the source of the leak, turn off both water
lines and follow the same steps listed above to replace the defective valve.
Double-handle faucets may not have the plug button referenced above in
Step No. 2; instead they may have a cap across the top of
each handle. You’ll need to use a coin or thin blade to pop off the cap
before continuing to remove the lock screw.
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