
- Buy a replacement kit. Ball faucets have several parts that will need to be replaced and some that require special tools.
- Start by unscrewing and removing the handle. Lift off the handle and place it aside.
- Use pliers to remove the cap and collar. Also, loosen the faucet cam by using the tool provided in your replacement kit for this purpose.
- Remove the inlet seals and springs. To do this, you will need to reach into the mechanism itself, probably using needle-nose pliers.
- Replace the O-rings. Cut off the old ones and coat the new ones in plumber’s grease before installing.
- Install new springs, valve seats, and cam washers. These should all be included in your kit, and should be essentially the reverse of the process you completed.
- Reassemble the handle. The leak should now be repaired. Remove the handle. Pry off the decorative cap if necessary, unscrew, and remove the handle by tilting it backwards.
How to unclog a faucet?
What to Do When the Blockage Isn't at the Aerator Screen
- Turn off the hot and cold water lines or the main water supply line.
- Unscrew the flexible water supply lines where they connect to the faucet (they are usually braided and are grey or white in color).
- Once they're disconnected, point the lines into a bucket and slowly turn on the water again.
How to fix a dripping Moen faucet for free?
Turn off Water to the Faucet
- Duck under the bathroom sink and look for 2 oval-shaped knobs connected to water supply houses. Those are the cold and hot water shut off valves.
- To turn off water to the faucet, turn the two valves all the clockwise.
- Open the faucet to drain the water already in the hoses.
- Plug off the sink drain opening. ...
How to repair fix outdoor water faucet easy simple?
What You’ll Need
- Outdoor faucet repair kit (for your faucet brand)
- Pliers or adjustable wrench
- 2 flathead screwdrivers
- Phillips screwdriver
- Replacement vacuum breaker parts
- Washer assembly
How do you repair a kitchen faucet?
Method 1 Method 1 of 5: Setting up for Repair Work Download Article
- Locate the leak. Before you begin, inspect the faucet to figure out where the leak is. ...
- Turn the faucet’s water supply off. Look under your sink first. ...
- Turn the faucet on to relieve the water pressure. ...
- Cover the sink hole with a strainer to catch small parts. ...
- Label and take pictures of the faucet as you remove parts. ...

What are the steps to fix a faucet?
0:201:58How to Fix a Leaky Faucet - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipStep 5 if your faucet has a washer on the bottom of the stem assembly remove the screw holding it onMoreStep 5 if your faucet has a washer on the bottom of the stem assembly remove the screw holding it on replace. The old washer with a new one then tighten the screw.
Can you repair a faucet stem?
0:121:48How to Repair a Leaky Faucet Stem - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipMake sure you turn the water off take your handle. Off. Then you can remove the stem you'll need aMoreMake sure you turn the water off take your handle. Off. Then you can remove the stem you'll need a crescent wrench or a pair of pliers. Once. You have the stem removed.
What are the five steps to fix a faucet?
Follow these five simple steps to fix a leaky faucet:Turn off the water supply. The last thing you want is for the problem to reverse itself and your faucet to start spouting water. ... Remove decorative handle hardware. ... Remove the packing nut. ... Replace the O-ring and the washer. ... Put everything back together.
Can a faucet valve be repaired?
Repairing a Leaky Faucet It's normal for your shower to drip for a few minutes after the water is turned off. But a steady flow may indicate a leak. Replacing your faulty hardware is a common fix, but leaks can also be stopped by repairing your valve or stem.
How do you take apart a faucet stem?
1:035:29Faucet stem repair and replacement - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf you have a brass stem you'll need to remove this by using a wrench and rotating it in the onMoreIf you have a brass stem you'll need to remove this by using a wrench and rotating it in the on direction until it threads out entirely.
How do you replace a faucet stem?
7:038:06How do I replace the stem in my double handle faucet? Part 3YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo it faces forward push your cap back in same way on this one there's a C for cold. Put that oneMoreSo it faces forward push your cap back in same way on this one there's a C for cold. Put that one back in push it down now you've learned to change your stem.
Why is my faucet dripping when 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.
How do I fix a leaky faucet myself?
0:494:24How to fix a leaking faucet yourself - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOr the valve stem that needs to be replaced in order to stop your faucet from dripping you canMoreOr the valve stem that needs to be replaced in order to stop your faucet from dripping you can always follow your handle. And that applies whether this is a sink faucet or a tub. Or a shower.
What tool is used in repairing a leaking faucet?
You'll probably need an Allen wrench to remove the handle. Buy a set of small Allen wrenches and you'll be prepared for all kinds of leaking faucets. Most repairs also require screwdrivers and a pair of large slip-joint pliers.
How do I 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.
Can you repair faucet cartridge?
Worn cartridges or rubber O rings often lead to leaks. By swapping in replacement parts, your faucet won't leak at the base or around the handles anymore. Replacing a faucet cartridge is a plumbing fix you can do in less than an hour. All you need is a few simple tools.
How do you know if your faucet valve 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.
Why do we need to replace a faucet?
Faucets are a key part of your home for an obvious reason: They dispense water. Therefore, keeping your faucets in working condition is of great importance. A number of things can go wrong with your faucets, from leaks to noise. Sometimes you'll need to replace a faucet altogether to solve the problem.
Why is my faucet making a noise?
Most likely, however, your noisy faucet is caused by a washer that is either the wrong size or is not held securely to the stem. Turn off the water supply before starting on this or any other faucet repair job. Replacing the washer or tightening it should eliminate the noise.
Why does my faucet drip?
A drip is caused by seepage from the water supply. Remember the water supply enters your home under pressure, so there must be a watertight seal holding back the incoming water when the faucet handle is in the OFF position. That seal is usually created by a washer pressed tightly against the faucet seat.
What is a compression type faucet?
Compression-type faucets: No matter what a compression-type faucet looks like, whether it has separate handles for hot and cold water or just one that operates both hot and cold, it operates according to certain basic principles. Here's how to disassemble a compression-type faucet and stop a drip:
Where is the spray hose on a sink?
A spray hose is attached under the sink at the base of the spout assembly. Theentire spray assembly can be removed from the top of the sink by unscrewing itand pulling it out through the hose guide. Many modern sink faucets are fitted with spray hose units, and these units occasionally leak or malfunction.
Can a spray head be repaired?
The spray head body and lever are part of a sealed unit; if it malfunctions, the unit must be replaced with an identical unit. Other parts of the spray system, however, can be repaired. In this section, we'll provide detailed instructions on how to service the various parts of a spray hose.
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.
Techniques for solving a tough faucet problem
Repair a drippy ball-type faucet using these pro tricks to deal with stubborn screws. You may have to replace the handle, but not the entire faucet.
Kitchen Faucet Repair: Loosen a stuck screw on a single-handle faucet
If the Allen screw is stuck, or if you strip it so it won’t come out, remove the cap with the handle still in place. You can’t grab the flattened edges with the handle in place. Instead, for this kitchen faucet repair, cushion the jaws of pliers and grip the round edge below.
How to Remove Faucet Handle
If you can’t loosen the Allen screw on the handle of a ball-type faucet, don’t let that 15¢ screw force you into a $100 faucet replacement… just yet! Normally you have to remove the handle to get the worn rubber seats that cause the drip (Figure A). First try spraying the screw with penetrating oil every day for a week.
Required Tools for this kitchen faucet repair Project
Have the necessary tools for this DIY kitchen faucet repair project lined up before you start—you’ll save time and frustration.
Required Materials for this kitchen faucet repair Project
Avoid last-minute shopping trips by having all your materials ready ahead of time. Here’s a list.
How do I remove a faucet handle?
Over time, corrosion can virtually weld the handle to the stem. Shut off the water supply to the faucet and open the valves to drain excess water from the system. Pry off the handle insert with the thin blade of a pocketknife. Step 2.
Why does my seat washer leak?
Leaks usually occur for two reasons. Over time, the seat washer stiffens and won't seal tightly. And water pressure gradually erodes the brass rim of the seat. Replace the seat using a special seat wrench. Press the seat wrench firmly into the center of the seat.
Is it cheaper to fix a leaky faucet or a plumber?
The entire job, with special tools, may set you back a bit of cash, but doing it yourself is a lot cheaper than hiring a plumber, and usually much cheaper and easier than tearing out the old faucet and installing a new one.
