- Shut off the water. Look under your sink for a water shutoff valve. ...
- Plug the sink drain. Stuff a rag or other object into the drain to prevent small parts from falling into the pipes.
- Consider buying a repair kit. Most washerless faucet leaks require a replacement part to fix. ...
- Move on to the instructions that match your faucet. There are several types of washerless faucet. The faucet will be easier to identify once you've removed the handle.
Full Answer
How to fix a leaky faucet?
Part 1 Part 1 of 2: Dismantling the Faucet
- Gather the proper tools. You will need a monkey wrench, bath socket wrench or vice grip pliers, a Philips screwdriver, a flat-head screwdriver, a jar gripper, plumber's grease, a ...
- Turn off the water intake to your house. You will need access to the pipes for the next hour or so. ...
- Open the hot and cold valves on the bathtub faucet. ...
How do you fix a leaking kitchen faucet?
Things You'll Need
- A Phillips-head (+) and flat-head screwdriver (-); even if your faucet uses Phillips-head screws, a flat-head screwdriver can be useful for prying
- Plumber’s grease (heat-resistant and non-toxic so it can be used with hot, potable water)
- Pliers
- Wrench
How to stop a leaky faucet in the kitchen?
How to Fix Water Leaks at the Base of the Spout
- Step #1: Identify Your Faucet’s Brand. Before restoring your dripping faucet, identify your sink’s brand and model. ...
- Step #2: Gather Tools and Shut Down Water Supply. ...
- Step #3: Deconstruct the Faucet. ...
- Step #4: Inspect and Replace Damaged Parts. ...
- Step #5: Reassemble the Faucet. ...
- Step #6: Call for Backup if the Problem Continues. ...
Why is my faucet leaking?
- A cracked or worn washer in the stem is a common source of a dripping bathtub faucet. ...
- The tub faucet stem or cartridge itself may be the cause of the leak. ...
- Old or worn faucet handles can also be the source of a dripping bathtub faucet. ...
- The pipe to the bathtub faucet spout may be the source of the leak.
How do I fix a leaky Washerless faucet?
Shut off the water supply; then close or cover the drain, loosen the screw in the base of the handle, and lift the handle off the spout. Place a putty knife in the slots on top of the washer and turn it clockwise. Replace the handle and test the faucet; if it still leaks, tighten the ring a bit more.
How do you fix a dripping Moen Washerless faucet?
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 you change a Washerless 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.
How can you tell if a faucet is Washerless?
The first three (ball, disc, and cartridge) are known as "washerless faucets" since they do not use rubber or neoprene washers in the assembly. A compression faucet needs a rubber washer to control the water flow.
How long do Washerless faucets last?
"Tack the packages up inside the vanity or sink cabinet, and you are good to go for 20 years."
What is a Washerless stem cartridge?
Instead of the wear and tear of the compression cartridge, the washerless cartridge consists of a neoprene donut-shaped stopper that which seals the flow of water by maintaining constant pressure against a steel plate with the aid of a spring.
How do I know if my faucet cartridge is bad?
Signs that a cartridge faucet needs repair are water dripping from the spout, difficulty in adjusting the water temperature, hot water entering cold water outlets like toilet supply lines and inadequately heated water at some faucets.
How do you fix a leaky faucet with two handles?
1:382:54How To Fix A Dripping or Leaky Double Handle Faucet - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipFirst take off the handle. Then unscrew the valve stem on the stem remove the old gasket screw. AndMoreFirst take off the handle. Then unscrew the valve stem on the stem remove the old gasket screw. And seat washer. Apply some plumbers grease.
How do you remove a cartridge from a faucet stem?
0:312:51How to Remove a Faucet Cartridge - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBy turning them counterclockwise.MoreBy turning them counterclockwise.
What causes a Washerless faucet to drip?
Spout leaks or drips can occur when seals and-or O-rings wear out. Washerless faucets are made in a rather bewildering variety of single- handle and double-handle designs. Stems, cartridges or perforated balls, manipulated by the handle or handles, control the flow of hot and cold water.
Why is my Moen faucet dripping?
If your Moen kitchen faucet is leaking from the spout, the cartridge isn't sealing water. The problem could be a damaged cartridge or worn seals. To access the cartridge, some disassembly is required. Turn off the water valves under the sink and open the faucet to relieve water pressure.
Why is my Moen touchless faucet dripping?
A loose or worn-out O ring can cause a leaky faucet. Corrosion on valve seat: When the leak originates from the spout or seems to, the problem could be an issue with the valve seat.
How do you fix a dripping single handle Moen shower faucet?
0:2810:07How to fix a leaking Moen Shower - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipStep is you're going to verify that the water is in fact off by turning the handle. And this alsoMoreStep is you're going to verify that the water is in fact off by turning the handle. And this also will drain out any excess water that's inside the valve.
What is washerless faucet?
The term "washerless" signifies to plumbers all faucets except compression-style ones with a threaded valve stem and a washer that tightens onto the water inlet. Although you won't need to replace a washer to stop a leak in a washerless faucet, you may need to replace a gasket, O-ring or similar rubber part.
What to do if your faucet is old?
If your ball-valve faucet is old, it's probably a good idea to purchase a kit and replace the entire valve mechanism.
How to remove a valve disk?
Unscrew the disk from the valve housing, using a Phillips screwdriver. Lift the disk out of the housing and inspect the seals in the water inlets at the bottom of the housing. Pry them out and replace them if they appear worn.
What to do if your ball valve is old?
If your ball-valve faucet is old, it's probably a good idea to purchase a kit and replace the entire valve mechanism. Ensure the water is off before removing the retaining nut or pin from your faucet. If the water is on, you could be scalded when it blows the valve out of the housing.
How to remove a cartridge from a syringe?
Remove the cartridge by unscrewing the retaining nut holding it in place, using adjustable pliers. Alternatively, pull out the retaining clip with needle-nose pliers. Once the cartridge is loose, grasp the stem with the pliers and pull it straight out. Buy, rent or borrow a cartridge puller if the cartridge won't come out with the pliers.
Where is the retaining nut on a valve?
If the valve has a lever, the retaining nut is usually right underneath it. Alternatively, it may be on the base of the round valve cover. Unscrew it, using an appropriately-sized Allen wrench. If the valve has a plastic handle, the screw is under a decorative cap. Pry off the cap with a flathead screwdriver.
How to fix a leaky retaining ring?
Turn the water off again and unscrew the retaining ring, if the leak didn't stop. Remove the ring carefully as the ball underneath it is spring-loaded. Carefully remove the ball and springs and check the condition. Replace the ball if it is chipped or cracked. Replace the springs if they are broken.
What kind of faucets leak?
If your leaky faucet has a single handle, you are probably dealing with a cartridge or ball-valve faucet since the third kind, the disk faucet, rarely leaks, according to Fine Homebuilding. Fortunately, you can service all three types of faucets quite easily.
How many types of washerless faucets are there?
There are three types of washerless faucets. A dripping faucet is not only annoying, but it also wastes water. Fortunately, it can be fixed by pretty much anyone who has a few tools and about an hour to spare. Of the four types of faucets you might find in your bathroom, only one has washers that might be worn out, and it always has two handles.
Can a cartridge faucet leak?
Advertisement. If your leaky faucet has a single handle, you are probably dealing with a cartridge or ball-valve faucet since the third kind, the disk faucet, rarely leaks, according to Fine Homebuilding. Fortunately, you can service all three types of faucets quite easily.
What type of faucets will require different parts to fix a leak?
Cartridge, ball, or ceramic-disk faucets will require different parts to fix the leak.
What does it mean when a faucet leaks?
A leak indicates that a part of the faucet was not assembled correctly or that a part is worn out and needs to be replaced.
What is a compression faucet?
A compression faucet holds back water in the plumbing system with a small rubber washer that tightens in the valve seat (much like a bottle cap screws onto the top of a plastic soda container).
Why is my shower head leaking?
A leaky shower head, bathtub faucet, or sink faucet is typically caused by defective or worn parts inside the assembly, including O -rings, washers, and gaskets. Making a quick fix by replacing these parts is usually easier and more affordable, instead of replacing kitchen faucets entirely.
How to fix a leaky O-ring?
Cartridge: Lift the cartridge out of the assembly and locate the O-rings. Inspect the O-rings and the cartridge. Typically, cutting off the existing O-rings and re placing them will fix the leak, but consider replacing the entire cartridge if you aren’t confident.
Why is the stem of a faucet free?
The stem should now be free so that you can simply pull it out, exposing the O-ring and seat washer. The O-ring is responsible for preventing leaks from the actual handles of the faucet.
How to stop water from falling in sink drain?
Next, open the faucet to release any water left behind in the line, then close the drain. If you don’t have a good drain cover, simply place a kitchen towel over the drain to prevent small parts from falling in.
What is a washerless faucet?
Cartridge. A washerless bathtub faucet, sometimes called a cartridge faucet, is a faucet that doesn't use loose rubber washers to keep the seal watertight. Instead, washerless faucets use cartridges and tight O-rings to maintain the seal.
How to change cartridge on a spout?
Slide the spout back onto the shaft and insert a new cartridge.
How to install a ceramic disc in a faucet?
Insert the new disc assembly into the faucet. It will only go in one way. Thread the bonnet sleeve into the faucet body around the ceramic disc.
What is a ball faucet?
The two most common types are the ball faucet and the ceramic disc cartridge faucet. The ball type was the first washerless faucet manufactured by most major brands, including Delta, and is recognized by the ball at the end of the stem. The ceramic disc type is a replaceable cartridge. Replacement parts for Delta washerless faucets are available ...
Where are the springs on a faucet?
The rubber seats are visible in the bottom of the faucet cavity. The springs are on the back of the faucet seats.
How to replace a Delta ceramic disc?
Remove the bonnet sleeve that surrounds the ceramic disc with a pair of slip joint pliers. Pull the ceramic disc assembly straight out of the faucet. Take the ceramic disc to the store and match the new one against the old disc. This ensures you purchase the correct disc for your Delta faucet.
