Leaky faucets are a common household problem. If not addressed, a faucet that drips per second can amount to 3,000 gallons of wasted water a year. The constant sound of water dripping or the pooling water on your sink can keep you awake at night, too. This issue is not only annoying but, if left unfixed, can grow into a bigger problem and significantly increase one’s utility bills.
Faucets in good condition are an indispensable part of a well-kept home, so making sure they’re properly working is crucial. Fortunately, fixing a faucet leak due to mineral deposits, corrosion, or defective parts is not as challenging as it seems.
With the right guide on basic plumbing and a few tools, you will be surprised how simple, inexpensive, and easy it is to fix a leak. Read this article to know some tips and tricks on how to fix a leaky faucet.
5 Tips and Tricks to Fix a Leaky Faucet
1. Determine the cause of the leak
You can address tap leaks that are not due to water pressure (with your faucet dripping at certain times) according to the faucet type.
If your faucet uses rubber washers to seal its valve seat, then this is a compression faucet. Compression faucets shut off the water when a handle is turned. As its name suggests, it squeezes the stem washer located in the assembly. With a compression faucet, the valve seat serves as a connection between the spout of the compaction mechanism and the faucet. If sediments build up, your valve seat may corrode or deteriorate, causing leaks in the spout.
Another cause of compression faucet leaks is a worn-out washer. The washer is made of silicone or soft rubber that works against a valve seat and creates friction whenever it’s turned on. If it has worn off or is not installed correctly, the water never seems to completely shut off regardless of how hard the faucet is tightened.
On the other hand, when a faucet uses a neoprene seal or an O-ring, it is probably a cartridge, ball type, or ceramic disk faucet. The O-ring is a small disc on the stem screw, which keeps the faucet’s handle intact and controls the flow of water into the spout. Wear and tear can damage the metal or plastic cartridges and the O-ring.
2. Shut off the water supply before working
Before disassembling the parts of your faucet and applying a screwdriver or wrench into your fixture, it is necessary to turn off the water source to prevent flooding of your bathroom or kitchen.
Usually, there are two shut-off valves under the sink. You have to turn off both valves individually by turning the lever or knob clockwise until it’s tight. However, if your sink does not have water valves, turn off the water from its main supply.
3. Bring the old parts to the hardware shop
Afterward, make sure to cover the drain to catch parts that may drop during your faucet’s disassembly. When using a wrench, you can also tape its jaws to prevent any scratches on your tap.
Using your wench or a flat-head screwdriver, remove the caps on top of a handle, disassemble the screw that connects the handle to the stem, pull the handle off, and loosen the packing nut. If the screw is rigid, try using oil to loosen it. Once the valve stem or cartridge is exposed, unscrew the valve stem with compression faucets or pull it out if you have a cartridge faucet.
Next, inspect the parts you’ve taken out carefully. Use distilled white soft vinegar to remove any mineral deposits on the parts you’ve disbanded. From the rubber washer, O-rings, gaskets, nuts, bearings, and seals, confirm what needs to be replaced. If any of these parts are damaged or worn, take them with the faucet to Simplex stores to make sure you get exact replacements.
4. Make sure the replacement parts are the right fit
Specifically, the O-ring and washer inside the valve seat must be precisely the same size as the original parts. If you are unsure about your O-rings and washers, you may check the valve seat and determine if the sides fit with a flat or cone-shaped washer. It is also crucial to take the O-ring to a reliable hardware shop, such as Simplex stores, to accurately verify the correct size.
Choose an O-ring with good sealing properties and high resistance against heat, water, oil, and corrosion to prevent the frequent repairs of your faucet and lengthen its useful life.
Simplex O-rings are made of high-quality rubber that can withstand high temperatures and high pressure and are suitable for a wide range of industrial applications Check out the product page to learn more or browse our shop for O-rings that fit your faucets.
5. Put the faucet together
Once you have all the parts that need to be replaced, clean the interior cylinders, seals, and valve seat with a cloth soaked in white vinegar before you reassemble your faucet. After cleaning, you can then put together your faucet. Read the instructions from your faucet supplier on how to reassemble and use the tools you have in hand. Don’t forget to use plumber’s tape like WEICON Thread Sealing Cord for sealing pipe connections effectively.
In case you purchased the wrong parts, a well-functioning gasket from the Philippines can last under compression and might help connect surfaces that don’t meet. Suppose you want to block fluid passage from leaking in existing spaces or attach two parts. In that case, you can also explore other adhesives and sealants by checking our Adhesive and Sealant page to ensure that a seal properly fits a compartment.
Finally, double-check that there are no leaks by turning the water supply on. Start with low pressure to prevent cracking the ceramic disk. Gradually increase the water pressure until it flows normally.
Seal Your Faucet Properly
Repairing your faucet on your own is not a difficult task. Just remember to identify your faucet type and work from there to address its leaks adequately. To ensure the best quality for your sink, Simplex is a premier distributor of adhesives, sealants, rubber gaskets, and premium industrial and engineering parts in the Philippines. Browse Simplex’s online shop to learn more about our offerings!
