Fixing Your Leaky Faucet Once and for All

Faucets are one of the essential features of a home, used for everything from cleaning dishes to washing hands after a long day in the beautiful Aurora outdoors. However, because these are among the most used fixtures in a house, it's no surprise that some of their parts come loose or deteriorate quickly. This can lead to the dreaded dripping faucet. Listening to the constant sound is maddening enough, not to mention the fact that all of that leaking water is money that's going literally down the drain. It's important to take the right steps to not only stop this leak, but to fix it once and for all.

Assemble the tools you'll need

To take on the job yourself, you'll first need to gather all of the supplies necessary to fix your leaky faucet. Normally, a leak is caused when the washer or seat assembly needs to be replaced, as the faucet then cannot create a seal strong enough to counteract the water pressure. You will most likely need a flat-head screwdriver, an adjustable wrench, replacement washers and O-rings, and penetrating oil like WD-40. These items are easy to find at a local hardware store and are relatively inexpensive to keep on-hand for future projects.

Don't forget to shut off the water

Once you have your tools at your side, you can't just start disassembling your faucet, there's one more thing to do first: Turn off the water! We've all seen movies and heard horror stories where water from sinks start spraying all over the room when the faucet is taken apart. This is probably one of the easiest, and worst, mistakes to make in this project, as now you not only have a leaky faucet, but you're also at risk of getting water damage. The water should be completely off from the sink handles to the knobs controlling the main line. This step is crucial to completely the job quickly and without getting wet.

Fix the issue

Using your tools, you can now disassemble your faucet. The penetrating oil is useful for any stubborn screws or parts that are stuck; the oil will loosen the part and allow you to proceed. Iit will be important to remember what goes where as you remove the parts to make reassembly easier. You can either record your removal process, or simply set the objects aside in the order that they were taken. This will also help ensure that you put the faucet back correctly without introducing new problems in the process. Replace the washer and O-ring, as these are likely the source of your issue. These should be an exact fit into your valve seat. Once these are in place, rebuild your faucet and admire your handiwork.

When all else fails, call an expert

If you've followed these steps and the problem persists, it may be time to call an expert. A plumbing professional has the tools, expertise and parts on-hand to fix a leak once and for all. It will be good to approach the problem as a DIY project at first, but don't be afraid to call in an expert when you need help.

Leaky faucets are a common occurrence in households, but they can be very easy to fix. By following these steps, you'll be able to stop that dripping in its tracks and save water. Call your local Roto-Rooter plumbing expert for a consultation and help with your plumbing needs.