Dripping Faucets

No one likes a leaky faucet. That little fixture can waste as much as 20 gallons of water per month. So why do most people ignore the steady cadence of drip, drip, drip? Scared? Intimidated? Don’t be. Most faucet repairs are quick and inexpensive. You don’t have to live with eerie dripping throughout the night and a climbing water bill.

The first step to repairing a leaky faucet is to shut off the water. There should be vales under the sink to shut off both hot and cold water supplies. After both valves are closed open the faucet to make sure no water is coming out and the valves are closed properly. Don’t forget this step or you’ll end up looking like a Three Stooges sight gag.

Most leaks are caused by one of two problems. The first is a loose nut and it is the easiest to fix. Leaks at the base of the faucet handle or around the vicinity of the packing nut are usually indications of a loose nut. All you have to do is simply tighten the nut below the handle and you may have solved your problem. If you have a fancy bathroom faucet with a designer handle you may have to remove the handle to access the nut.

The second cause of a leaky faucet is a bad washer. Water collecting around the back of the handles and water running out of the handles are signs of this type of problem. Start by turning off only the hot water. If the leak stops it is the hot water washer. If not, it’s the cold water washer. Be sure to shut off the valve for whichever side is the culprit before working on it.

Loosen the packing nut and use the faucet handle to pull out the valve as a unit. A combination of a turning and twisting motion should help free it. Once it is out, the old washer should be located on the bottom of valve unit. Remove the screw that retains the old washer and replace it with a new washer of the same size. Replace the screw, put the valve unit back into faucet, put the handle back in its original position, and tighten down the packing nut. You are done.

If this all sounds too daunting, give Mies Plumbing a call. We’re always happy to help you get a handle on your faucet.