A leaky faucet is one of the most bothersome situations in a home. It reminds you that you’re wasting water and time to fix it. But, there’s an easy and inexpensive fix. The key to tackling a leaky faucet is knowing its type and your house’s water system.
You can fix a leaky old fashioned faucet by following these steps. First, you must turn off the water on the device. Then, you need to remove the handle and the retaining nut. You can also find the replacement parts for the model you’re trying to fix. After that, you need to re-assemble the whole thing.
This article will teach you the tips and tricks for fixing a leaky old faucet.
How to Fix a Leaky Old Fashioned Faucet?
Before you start working on a project, such as fixing a faucet, you must find a local plumbing supplier that can help you. Having a good store will allow you to get in touch with a knowledgeable staff member who will assist you find the parts you need.
Step 1: Turn the Water Off
When you have a water emergency, such as a leaky faucet, turn off the water to the taps and turn off the water to the entire house. Doing so will allow you to disconnect the water supply to the kitchen and bathroom. You will need to have either a straight or angle stop valve under the sink.
Double-check if the water has turned off. Then, make sure that the water is not flowing by moving the handle to the open position. We suggest that you put a stopper or a rag in the drain to prevent parts from accidentally going down the drain.
Step 2: Pull Out Handles
Most acrylic-style faucets have a cover button that allows you to remove the handle easily. However, single lever handles have a hidden Allen screw designed not to be too obvious.
Use a mechanism such as a screwdriver or an Allen wrench to remove it. However, when you remove Allen screws negligently, they can be lost or easily misplaced.
Step 3: Extract Nuts
After removing the handle, you will find various retaining nuts that hold multiple parts of the faucet. These include the interior and exterior threads that connect the faucet’s body to the main body.
To remove the retaining nuts, use a box end or crescent wrench. Use these tools to remove the retaining nuts without damaging the faucet’s finish.
Step 4: Know Your Faucet’s Mechanism Type
There are three types of internal movement systems used in faucets: cartridges, compression stems, and ball assemblies. When choosing a single control faucet, you can usually tell which style it uses by removing the handle.
If you have a two-handled faucet, you can determine which style it should be by simply turning the handle. Hence, if it has a cartridge, the handle will either turn left or right. If the handle moves more than half a turn, you have a compression style.
Step 5: Remove Internal Parts
Before removing the internal working parts of your kitchen faucet, make sure that the order in which you remove them is correct. Doing so could prevent you from having more significant issues later on.
Many repair kits come with instructions that are very specific to your model, and if you don’t follow these instructions, you might end up with a bigger problem. We suggest taking photos of your faucet and then taking notes as you remove the components.
If you have a ceramic disc cartridge, you will pull it out. Usually, you can replace the rubber seals at the bottom of the cartridge. However, if they still leak after reinserting the cartridge, you must purchase a new one.
When the stem is attached to the retaining nut, you have a compression-style faucet with a washer at the bottom. After removing the stem, inspect the various components of the kitchen faucet, such as the rubber washer.
If the metal retaining ring for your washing machine is in good condition, you can still use it. However, if the entire stem is not in good condition. You will need to replace them all.
You need to remove the top cap of the ball assembly kitchen faucet. It will expose the cam, a plastic piece attached to the lever. You can also remove the other components of the kitchen faucet, such as the control ball. If the control ball is damaged, you will need to replace it. You can also check the springs and valve seats.
Step 6: Assemble the Parts to Replace
If you have a problem with your kitchen sink’s replacement parts, it’s best to get them from a plumbing supply store instead of buying them online before removing the components.
Doing so could prevent you from returning them if they’re not the right ones. You can also look for them yourself if the repair kit is on a wall display.
When you’re unsure about the parts you brought in, please don’t leave the store until you’re sure they match the ones you brought in. Also, it’s essential to know the make of the faucet that you’re trying to fix.
You can easily replace the parts of your old faucet by taking it apart and putting everything back together in the same order that you took it off. Doing so will allow you to remove the old components and put them back together quickly. Before working on the new ones, make sure that they fit correctly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Causes a Faucet to Leak at the Base?
When a kitchen faucet stops working after the base has been on, the O-rings’ aging causes it. The cartridge is defective if the leak continues even after the switch is off. When this happens, ensure that you call a professional right away to aid you with some help.
When to Replace Your Leaky Faucet Instead of Fixing It?
If a water-flow control is more than 10 to 20 years old, it might have other issues. Like a car, a worn-out old faucet will eventually work again until another part breaks down. It’s usually cheaper to replace a new one.
It’s also important to consider the cost of repairs when replacing a faulty water-flow control. An inexpensive replacement might not be worth it unless you have to replace a few washing machines.
The cartridge cost is also the most crucial factor you need to consider when replacing a water-flow control. Most cartridges cost around $10 to $50, with a few costing around $100.
How to Replace a Tub or Shower Cartridge?
Before you start, please turn off the water and let it run until it stops. Then, remove the handle using a tool such as a hex wrench. You can also slide the escutcheon out using the screws holding it.
If there is a chrome sleeve, remove it or replace it with a new one. You can also use a small screwdriver to remove the cartridge’s retaining clip.
Some cartridges can be easily removed with a pair of pliers, while others require a unique tool known as a cartridge-pulling wrench.
After having the new cartridge, put it inside the faucet’s body. You can then slide the escutcheon and handle back into place.
Conclusion
You can quickly fix a leaky, old-fashioned water faucet by following these simple steps. First, turn off the water completely. Then, remove the device’s handle and the retaining nut. After that, you’ll need to find the new parts for the model you’re trying to replace.
When things are too complicated for you, you can always ask a professional plumber to do the work for you.