How To Repair Leaking Bathroom Faucet

How to Repair a Leaking Bathroom Faucet

A leaking faucet can be a major annoyance, wasting water and driving up your utility bills. Fortunately, most faucet leaks are relatively easy to repair with a few simple tools and some basic plumbing knowledge.

Identify the Source of the Leak

The first step is to identify the source of the leak. This can be done by visually inspecting the faucet for any obvious cracks or breaks. If you don't see any obvious damage, you can try tightening the packing nut, which is located around the base of the faucet handle. To do this, use a wrench to gently tighten the nut until the leak stops.

Replace the Washer

If tightening the packing nut doesn't stop the leak, you may need to replace the washer. The washer is a small rubber or plastic disc that creates a seal between the faucet handle and the faucet body. To replace the washer, you'll need to remove the faucet handle. To do this, use a screwdriver to remove the screws that hold the handle in place. Once the handle is removed, you can use a wrench to remove the packing nut. The washer will be located beneath the packing nut. Simply remove the old washer and replace it with a new one.

Replace the O-Rings

O-rings are rubber gaskets that create seals between different parts of the faucet. Over time, O-rings can become worn or damaged, leading to leaks. To replace an O-ring, you'll need to disassemble the faucet. To do this, use a wrench to loosen the nuts that hold the faucet body together. Once the faucet body is disassembled, you can remove the old O-rings and replace them with new ones.

Replace the Cartridge

If the leak is coming from the base of the faucet, you may need to replace the cartridge. The cartridge is a self-contained unit that controls the flow of water through the faucet. To replace the cartridge, you'll need to disassemble the faucet. To do this, use a wrench to loosen the nuts that hold the faucet body together. Once the faucet body is disassembled, you can remove the old cartridge and replace it with a new one.

Call a Plumber

If you're not comfortable repairing the faucet yourself, you can always call a plumber. A plumber will be able to quickly and easily repair the leak, and they will also be able to provide you with advice on how to prevent future leaks.