How to fix leaky faucet
If your seals are still in good shape, after they have been cleaned, you can put them re-assemble your handle using the clean seals. Let them soak for several hours to remove any build-up. Pry out these seals and place them and the cylinders in a container of white vinegar. You will see several neoprene seals underneath this cylinder. Unscrew and remove the disk cylinder with a wrench. Step 2: Remove and Clean the Disk Cylinder This is the metal plate that sits right under the handle. You will also need to remove the escutcheon cap. Start by unscrewing and removing the handle on your ceramic faucet. Re-assemble the parts of your handles in the order that you removed them.Ĭeramic-Disk Style Leaky Faucets Step 1: Remove the Handle and Escutcheon Cap Step 4: Replace the O-ring or Seat WasherĬover the new seat washer or O-ring with plumber's grease and then put it back in place. Take the worn parts with you to the hardware store so that you know exactly which type and size of replacement part you need. The seat washer will be held in place by an upside-down brass screw. The O-ring will be thinner than the seat washer. You should see both an O-ring and a washer. If your faucet itself is leaking then you will need to replace your seat washer.
If your handles themselves are leaking and not your faucet, then you need to replace the O-ring. Step 3: Remove the O-ring or the Seat Washer Over time the rubber wears out so that the handle on your tap cannot turn off completely.
Seat washers are usually made from rubber. This is the part that sits on top or your O-ring which in turn sits on top of a seat washer. You should be able to see the stem under the nut. Step 2: Remove the Nut to Expose Your Seat Washer Once you have removed the screws, you can lift off the handles. You can now loosen the screw inside that is holding your handles in place, with a screwdriver, turning it counterclockwise. You can usually do this by using the edge of a screwdriver or a butter knife and carefully prying underneath.īe gentle so you don't damage the caps. If your handles have a decorative cap, you need to first remove them. You can click on the link below to take you to the appropriate section:Ĭompression-Style Leaky Faucets Step 1: Remove the Handles It often has a decorative cap.īall Faucets: Like the ceramic and cartridge faucets, ball faucets have the single swiveling arms but inside they contain a ball bearing.įigure out which type you have and follow the instructions pertaining to that type. They are:Ĭompression Faucets: A compression faucet has two separate handles, one for hot and one for cold water.Ĭeramic-Disk Faucets: A ceramic-disk faucet has one central, swiveling arm that you swing from hot to cold and contains a ceramic cylinder inside.Ĭartridge Faucets: A cartridge faucet also has one central swiveling arm and has a cartridge inside instead of a ceramic cylinder. Each type of faucet has a different method for repairing. The next task that you will need to do is figure out what type of faucet you have.