Faucet Leak Repair

 There are so many different faucets in homes that we often underestimate their importance. It has been said that running water has been one of the things that has had the biggest influence on today’s society. We don’t normally consider the importance of faucets until there is a faucet leak or a major problem. A little common sense and a bit of knowledge will help you to keep your faucets in tip top shape for a long time to come. These tips will also help save you money so you do not have to call a plumber every time. However, if you do need a professional jsut put your zip code in the right and you will be directed to a local plumbing professional. 

What Type of Faucets do I have?

There are several different types of faucets and to fix a faucet leak, you will need to know which type you have in your home. Here is a guide to the most common types and how to sort them out:

1)      Compression Faucets: These faucets always have a double handle and this makes them easier to identify. These work on a very basic principle – the washer rises to let water flow through. Seeing where the faucet leak originates will tell you how to fix this – if the leak is on the handle, you need to change the O-ring or stem packing; if the leak is from the spout, the stem washer must be changed.

2)      Diaphragm Faucets: Also double handled, but working slightly differently, the repairs are equally simple – replace the O-ring if the handle leaks and replace the diaphragm if both the handle and spout are leaking.

3)      Disc Faucet – These can have single or double handles. The temperature and flow of water is regulated by a set of ceramic or plastic discs. A faucet leak here normally means replacing the seals or unclogging the inlet ports. You will seldom need to replace the discs and should not attempt this yourself.

4)      Rotating Ball Faucet: This only comes in single handles and it is named for its slotted plastic or brass ball that is mounted on spring loaded plastic seats. The ball is rotated by the handle and this controls the temperature and flow volume. If this type is leaking from the handle, it is time to replace both the springs and seats. If it is leaking from the handle, you need to replace the O-rings and look to adjusting the ring.

5)      Cartridge Faucet: This is a simple, single lever faucet and it makes use of a cartridge to control water flow. The first step is to replace the O-rings and, if that doesn’t work, to change the cartridge.

If in doubt, consult your local hardware store for more advice on the different types of taps and how to fix them.