Not only are leaky faucets annoying, but small drips can quickly add up, wasting water and money. A faucet dripping once per second wastes more than 3,000 gallons of water in just one year! That’s enough water to take about 180 showers! Don’t put off fixing the leaking faucets in your home. Most faucet drips are easy to fix when you know the right steps to take. If you are unsure where your faucet is leaking, check out our blog on common faucet leaks to learn more.
1. Turn off the Water
Before you start any work, be sure to turn off your sink’s water supply. Most likely, there will be a water shutoff valve under the sink. We also recommend turning on the faucet after you shut off the water to drain the remaining water.
2. Remove the Faucet Handle
Check the screw behind your faucet and use the corresponding screwdriver to unscrew and remove it. You may need a Phillips head screwdriver, flathead screwdriver, Allen wrench, or a hex key, depending on your faucet. Once the screw is removed, you can take off the handle of the faucet.
3. Take off the Cartridge
The cartridge controls the flow of hot and cold water to your faucet and is within most bathroom and kitchen faucets. Remove the packing nut in the cartridge with a wrench and set it aside. Then, pull the cartridge up to take it out of the faucet.
4. Replace the Cartridge
Knowing the model of your faucet makes it easy to purchase a new cartridge for your sink. If you do not know the model number, we recommend you take the old cartridge to a home renovation store so you can match it exactly. When you have the replacement cartridge, be sure to also check the O-rings and replace any that look worn down. Then, insert and tighten the new cartridge into place.
5. Attach the Handle
Using your screwdriver, reattach the faucet handle, and then turn on the water under the sink. Test the faucet and make sure both cold and hot water flows through, and check that it is no longer dripping.
If you’ve followed these steps and your faucet is still leaking – it might be time to call in the plumbing experts! At Aloha Plumbing, Sewers, & Drains, our team of licensed plumbers are professionally trained to fix leaky faucets and inspect your plumbing system for any other problems.