Repairing Guides

how to repair a leaking faucet in the bathroom

by Luella Dibbert Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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How To Fix Leaky Bathroom Tub Faucet

  • Shut off the water to the tub by turning the knob or lever to the right
  • Unscrew the handle of the faucet
  • You may need to use a screwdriver or Allen wrench to do this
  • Remove the washer and the O-ring
  • Inspect the washer and O-ring for wear and damage
  • Replace the washer and/or O-ring if necessary
  • Screw the handle back on and turn the water...

Full Answer

How to fix a leaking bathtub faucet quick and easy?

  • The first step is to remove the faucet spout. ...
  • Use a utility knife to score the sealant where the spout and bathtub wall meet for easier removal.
  • Remove the length of pipe, called a pipe nipple, with a wrench.
  • Wrap the threads of both ends of the nipple with plumber’s tape or Teflon tape.
  • Install the nipple into the 90-degree elbow pipe within the wall. ...

More items...

How do I repair a Moen bathroom faucet?

To remove the handles on a faucet with screws, here’s what you’ll need:

  • Allen wrench or screwdriver
  • Pliers
  • Flathead screwdriver
  • Rag

How to fix a dripping Moen faucet for free?

Start with the retaining nut, then look for other problems

  • Tighten retaining nut. If you're lucky, you can fix your leaking faucet by simply tightening the nut under the handle. ...
  • Remove the stem. Next, remove the faucet stem. ...
  • Replace washer assembly. Keep track of the parts as you disassemble the faucet so you can install the new ones in the same order.
  • Remove the vacuum breaker cap. ...
  • Vacuum breaker parts. ...

How to fix a leaky delta style bathroom faucet?

Materials

  • New rubber seat and spring (one set for each handle)
  • Plumber's grease
  • Replacement stem (as needed)

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How do you fix a dripping bathroom sink faucet?

How To Repair A Leaky Bathroom FaucetStep 1: Find The Leak. ... Step 2: Remove The Faucet Handle Cap. ... Step 3: Remove The Handle. ... Step 4: Remove The Retaining Nut. ... Step 5: Pull Out The Cartridge. ... Step 6: Remove The Seal And Spring. ... Step 7: Reassemble The Faucet.

Why is my bathroom faucet dripping?

The most common sources of a leaking faucet – a worn out washer or gasket, a loose O ring, corrosion in the valve seat – can be detected and fixed easily with most faucet repair kits.

How do you fix a leaking bathroom faucet with two handles?

More videos on YouTubeTurn both water supply lines to the faucet OFF.Loosen the set screw on the faucet handle.Take the faucet handle off.Remove the retaining clip/nut.Pull cartridge out. ( use pliers to pull up and out)Drop in a brand new cartridge.Install the retaining clip/nut.Put faucet handle back on.More items...•

Why does my faucet drip after I turn it off?

If you notice your bathroom sink drips or leaks out of the faucet head when turned off, there is likely an issue with the seal inside the faucet head, allowing the water to run through or drip. Before calling a professional plumber, consider whether you're able to repair the leak in your bathroom sink yourself.

Where is the O-ring on a faucet?

0:251:34Leaky Faucet Base – O-Ring Replacement - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe o-rings should be easy to see and locate there are at least one or two o-rings that there couldMoreThe o-rings should be easy to see and locate there are at least one or two o-rings that there could be even three or four remove. Each oring using a flathead screwdriver or needle nose pliers.

How do you change a washer in a bathroom faucet?

0:101:54How to Replace a Washer in a Leaky Faucet For Dummies - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipPut the handle back on the stem. And give it a twist. Now remove the washer. And replace it with aMorePut the handle back on the stem. And give it a twist. Now remove the washer. And replace it with a new one. Some faucets have a spring under the washer like this one valve washers come in many shapes.

How do I know what cartridge my faucet is?

0:173:20Quick Ways to Identify the Brand and Manufacturer for Faucet RepairYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnother quick tip is to look underneath the sink because sometimes you might be able to find a labelMoreAnother quick tip is to look underneath the sink because sometimes you might be able to find a label that's attached to a supply line that will tell you the manufacturer.

What type of faucet do I have?

Some manufacturers will also print the serial number on the faucet or the cold water supply line tag, which is usually located below the sink. Although the serial number will not tell you the exact model number, it can tell you the brand and usually the family of faucets the model is from.

Can you change a bathroom faucet without turning off water?

If you are really just replacing the handle - which is really items 1-4 (and sometimes 5-6 or sometimes 5-6 don't exist) - then no you do not need to turn off the water.

How do you change a faucet cartridge?

1:293:02How to Replace Leaky Cartridges in a Bathroom Faucet - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipUse a crescent wrench to remove the bonnet nut from the cartridge. Once the nut is off remove theMoreUse a crescent wrench to remove the bonnet nut from the cartridge. Once the nut is off remove the cartridge if you need extra leverage. Use the pliers to pull on the stem.

Why is my faucet leaking at the base?

Leaks around the base of the spout are caused by worn O-rings located under the spout. All that's usually required to access these O-rings for replacement is to wiggle and pull up on the spout to remove it. Depending on the dripping faucet, you'll also have to remove the handle and other parts to access the spout.

How do you take a two handle faucet apart?

1:084:49How to Repair a Leaky Two-Handle Faucet - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou will need to remove it by using a wrench to rotate it in the off direction until it threads outMoreYou will need to remove it by using a wrench to rotate it in the off direction until it threads out entirely. Once removed you'll need to take your stem to your local retailer.

How do you fix a leaking double handle bathroom faucet American Standard?

2:263:47How to fix a dripping American Standard Bathroom Faucet - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo to remove the seat stick a seat wrench or you can sometimes use an allen wrench right in thereMoreSo to remove the seat stick a seat wrench or you can sometimes use an allen wrench right in there unscrew counterclockwise to reinstall your new one fill this area with some pipe joint compound.

How do you change the cartridge on a double handle faucet?

1:293:02How to Replace Leaky Cartridges in a Bathroom Faucet - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipFirst align the tab on the new cartridge to the slot on the faucet. Now screw on the bonnet nut andMoreFirst align the tab on the new cartridge to the slot on the faucet. Now screw on the bonnet nut and tighten with the crescent wrench reinstall the handle and pop the caps back.

How do you fix a leaky Moen bathroom faucet with two handles?

0:021:36How To Fix a Dripping Moen Faucet (HowToLou.com) - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf you look at your new one there's a little tab right there that goes to that slot right there soMoreIf you look at your new one there's a little tab right there that goes to that slot right there so just line those two up and push it in put your brass ring back on tighten. It with pliers.

How do I fix a leaky faucet?

To fix a leaky faucet, first turn off the water to your faucet by twisting the valve under the sink. If there’s no valve, turn off the water supply for your whole house. Turn the faucet on to empty any water in the pipes, and plug the drain so nothing falls down it while you’re working.

How do I know what type of faucet I have?

Determine what type of faucet you have. 1 A ball faucet contains a ball bearing. 2 A cartridge faucet contains a cartridge. The materials of the cartridge will vary, but handle often has a decorative cap. 3 A ceramic-disk faucet contains a ceramic cylinder.

What is the difference between a ball and a cartridge faucet?

You may have to take your faucet apart before you know which is which, because the internal mechanisms at the base of their arms are all different: 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.

How many handles does a compression faucet have?

A compression faucet has two screw handles, one for hot and one for cold, and is the easiest to recognize by sight. The other three types of faucet all have one central, swiveling arm that you can swing from hot to cold as desired.

What is the stem on a faucet?

Underneath, you will find the stem, which sits on top of the O-ring, which sits on top of a seat washer. The seat washer is usually made of rubber, which can get worn out after a while. If your faucet is dripping, this is mostly likely the culprit.

How to replace O-ring on a sink?

Pull the handle cartridge up and out of the sink. Use a cloth to wipe down all of the loose parts and the area around the handle. If the O-ring looks old or damaged, replace it. Get a matching replacement for the old cartridge, then insert the new cartridge back into the sink.

Can a leaky faucet cause high water bills?

The annoying drip of a leaky faucet can cause higher water bills and irritation. Fortunately, it's easy to fix yourself if you can identify the type of faucet and get the necessary tools for the job.

How long does water run in a faucet?

The water needs to run for one minute. For kitchen & bathroom faucets, be sure to put a bucket upside down over top of the faucet in order to direct the water down to the sink, or water will spray everywhere. Turn the water off at the supply lines again before re-assembling. 8.

Do you need an adjusting ring for a faucet?

Depending on the age of your faucet, you may not have an adjusting ring. For those with newer faucets that don’t contain adjusting rings, please skip this step. If you have an older faucet with an adjusting ring, it will not be needed after the repair if the cam/packing is replaced.

How to Fix a Dripping or Leaky Double-Handle Faucet

Learn how to repair three types of double-handle faucets: ceramic disc, compression/reverse-compression and cartridge.

Repairing Different Types of Faucets

Keep in mind that some cartridge bodies and ceramic disc bodies/cylinders can look similar. In most cases, the cartridge body doesn't have moving parts. The ceramic disc body/cylinder does have moving parts that pivot to open the ports on the bottom.

Locate the Leak

Determine which side of your faucet is leaking by shutting off the water supply valves one at a time. If the leak doesn’t stop after the first valve is turned off, it’s the other line that’s leaking.

Ceramic Disc Faucets

This type of faucet uses a cylinder with tiny discs on the bottom that control water flow. The most successful repair typically replaces the entire cylinder.

Compression & Reverse-Compression Faucets

In this repair, you’ll replace the washer and O-ring or gasket on the valve stem, as well as the valve seat in the faucet.

Aerator

After reassembling your faucet, run the water for a few minutes to clear debris from the new parts. Replace the aerator.

How to Fix a Dripping or Leaky Single-Handle Faucet

Learn to repair three types of single-handle faucets: ball, cartridge and ceramic disc.

Why does my bathroom faucet leak?

Usually, faucet leaks are caused by worn washers or seats in the faucet assembly. Fortunately, these parts are easily replaced. You can purchase all of the parts you’ll need at a local hardware or home-improvement store.

How to get a cartridge out of a faucet?

The tip of the cartridge will be about 1⁄2 inch (1.3 cm) high and 1⁄4 inch (0.64 cm) across. Use the fine point of a pair of needle-nose pliers to hold onto the tip of the cartridge and lift it straight up and out of the faucet base.

How to protect a faucet from a sharp wrench?

To protect the faucet, tear off a 2 in (5.1 cm) section of duct tape and wrap it around 1 side of the wrench’s jaws. Repeat the process to cover the other side of the wrench’s jaws as well.

What are the different types of faucets?

There are 4 primary types of faucets: ball, compression, cartridge, and ceramic disc. While the rudiments of fixing a faucet are more or less the same, some types no longer use washers to create a seal in the assembly.

How long does it take to fix a dripping faucet?

With the right tools and the replacement parts in hand, you should be able to fix your dripping faucet in less than 20 minutes. This was my first time repairing a faucet.

How to tell if a faucet is dripping?

This is a simply process, if your faucet is dripping steadily like mine, you can simply put your hand underneath the faucet nozzle and feel the temperature of the drip. Alternatively, you can shut off the Hot water supply line and see if the drip has stopped.

How to tell if a faucet is leaking?

When diagnosing a leak, it’s helpful to be able to identify where the water is actually coming from. For example, maybe you’ve identified that your bathroom faucet is leaking at its base. If so, you’ve come to the right place. Shut off the faucet water supply and pull out the faucet handle cap. Loosen the faucet valve with a pair ...

Why does my sink leak at the base?

That being said, there are really only two culprits that could be causing your sink to leak at its base. The first is the faucet’s O-ring. These can dry up or crack after extended use. The second potential cause of your problem is a worn-out inner cartridge.

Do sinks have inner cartridges?

Before starting, it’s important to note that sinks with two handles often have inner cartridges in each handle. If your leak is coming from only one of those handles, then don’t worry about replacing the other handle’s inner cartridge unless you want to be proactive.

Is it fun to leak water?

Written by Kellan Jansen in Bathroom. Leaks are never fun. However, it’s important that you deal with them quickly. Fail to do so and you could end up with costly repairs, skyrocketing water bills, and other negative consequences of your inaction. When diagnosing a leak, it’s helpful to be able to identify where the water is actually coming from. ...

Can a bathroom faucet leak under the sink?

Bathroom Faucet Leaking at Base and Under Sink. Sometimes bathroom faucets will leak both at their base and under the sink. When this happens, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you have a more serious issue than you would if the leak was isolated at your faucet’s base.

Shut Off the Water

The type of faucet in your kitchen or bathroom may be a single or double handle, has a modern pull-down wand design or is a twisting ball faucet on your shower or tub. Before you begin to fix a dripping faucet, your first step is to shut off the water supply.

Remove the Cartridge or Stem

The faucet cartridge or faucet stem is found in most two-handled kitchen and bathroom faucet styles. This is the part that regulates the flow of hot and cold water.

Install New Cartridge

Now that you’ve inspected the cartridge or stem and identified it as the source of your dripping kitchen faucet or bathroom faucet leak, you’ll have to replace it.

Reattach Faucet Handle

Once you’ve installed the new cartridge or stem, return to the previous steps and reattach the faucet handle. Turn your water line back on and remove any debris or towels from your sink.

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