DIY – Leaky faucet

Leaky faucet repair   how do you fix your faucet if you are not a plumber , here are some basic steps to help you with your leaky faucet repair. If you still can’t fix your leaky faucet on your own call Sunshine Plumbing of South Florida , Inc.

Turn off the water to your leaky faucet. Look underneath your sink for the pipes that run up. Along those pipes somewhere will be handles that you can turn to shut off the water to your sink. Twist clockwise to shut off.

Plug the drain. Use a sink plug if you have one or a rag. Nothing will ruin your day faster than having a screw or a washer go down the drain.

Determine what type of faucet you have.

• A ball faucet contains a ball bearing.
• A cartridge faucet contains a cartridge. The materials of the cartridge will vary, but handle often has a decorative cap.
• A ceramic-disk faucet contains a ceramic cylinder.

Buy replacement kit for ball faucet:  Ball faucets have several parts that will need to be replaced and some that require special tools. You won’t need to replace the entire faucet, just the faucet cam assembly. All of the stuff you’ll need, including tools, should be included in this type of kit that runs about $20 and is available in the plumbing section of most home repair shops.

Cartridge Faucet : 

Remove the handle, pry off the decorative cap if necessary, unscrew, and remove the handle by tilting it backwards.

Pull the cartridge so that it stands straight up. This is the position the cartridge sits in when the water is on full blast.

Remove the faucet spout. Set aside and locate the O-rings.

Replace the O-rings. Cut off the old ones using a utility knife and coat the new ones in plumber’s grease before installing them.

Reassemble the handle. The leak should now be repaired.

Ceramic-Disk Faucet :

Remove the escutcheon cap. After unscrewing and removing the handle, locate the escutcheon, which sits directly beneath the handle and is usually made of metal.

Unscrew and remove the disk cylinder. This will expose several neoprene seals on the underside.

Pry out the seals and clean the cylinders. White vinegar would work well for this purpose, especially if you have hard water. Soak them for several hours to work out the build-up and then assess whether or not they’re reusable.

Replace the seals if necessary.

Reassemble the handle and very slowly turn the water on. Running the water too forcefully can crack the ceramic disk.