And, take care when you’re reinstalling it. Let the water run for a moment to wash out any sediment. Hold the entire fixture steady and gently unscrew the part. If not, wrap a cloth around the aerator – the round piece at the tip. However, if you have a pair of rubber pliers, these are ideal because they grip the faucet better and won’t scrape or damage anything. Remove the Aeratorįor this, you usually only need a regular pair of fliers. They’re easy to access, making it a good place to start. If you’re feeling confident, here are some places to start.Ī few of the parts we mentioned - particularly the valve seat and washer - are located at the tip of the faucet where the water comes out. But, you need the right ones for a reason: You’re often dealing with small parts that can break if you handle them carelessly. It’s tempting to make do with what you have. Next, make sure you have the right tools for whatever you’re attempting. Turn each one clockwise until they close tightly. You should find a shutoff valve under the sink on the pipes leading to it. We’ll walk you through them in a moment.īut, no matter what, your first step should be shutting off the water coming into the faucet. If it’s a small drip, you can certainly try a few troubleshooting tactics. But, you do run the risk of making the problem worse. It could be the parts we mentioned, or the aerator at the tip of the faucet, the stem itself, Can I Fix a Leaky Faucet Myself?ĭepending on the problem, and how handy you are, there’s a chance you can fix a leaky faucet without calling a professional. But, the problem could be anywhere in the assembly if something’s out of place.Įven if a part isn’t damaged, over time, it may have become loose or dislodged. So far, we’ve looked at a few small, specific parts. However, it’s common for the o ring to wear out over time. You’ll find it at the base of the faucet, and it’s there to keep water from coming out where it’s not supposed to. Since the o ring is only a small rubber gasket, it’s a common reason why the faucet is dripping. The problem could also be corrosion: Over time, the part has worn out, and it’s now allowing water to pass through. If the washer wasn’t in place correctly, then it could have ground against the seat. Next is the valve seat, which is connected to the washer. If it’s damaged, or if it’s not sitting right, it will allow water to pass through. It’s the little stem piece with a screen on it that shuts off the water circulation. If you unscrew the end of your faucet, you’ll find the aerator. Let’s explore what these parts are, and how they can cause problems. Four possible causes for dripping faucets are:
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