Fixing common faucet leaks

If you have a leak you do not always have to call a plumber straight away. However, you certainly should if one of your pipes is leaking. This is because even a tiny leak somewhere like this can soon turn into a torrent of water. The pressure will build up and that tiny split will eventually burst open and everything will be flooded. So, if you have a leaky pipe, turn the water to the house off and call a plumber right away.

But, for a kitchen faucet leaking at its base, it is usually worth having a go at repairing it yourself. Here is how to go about doing that.

Turn off the water

Before attempting any plumbing repair always turn off the water. In this case, turning off the supply to that faucet is all you need to do. Then plug the drain, so none of the little bits can fall down it during your repair.

Narrow down where the issue may be

There are two kinds of faucet leaks. A temporary leak that only occurs when the tap is running is likely to be caused by dirt build up around the o-rings and seals. Whereas, a constant leak, likely means that dirt has built up around one of the valves or a cartridge.

Disassemble and clean everything

The first step is to go online and find out how to take your faucet apart and clean these components. There are plenty of videos on YouTube that show you how to deal with each of the 3 different types of faucet.

If you know the brand of your faucet, try to find instructions that relate to that specific model. This will make things a lot easier for you.

It is also worth visiting the manufacturer’s website. Often, you will find a series of diagrams for each faucet that they sell. On these, each component is labeled and you can see at a glance how everything fits together.

Usually, you can clean the components simply by wiping them with a cloth. If calcium has built up, soaking this item in vinegar should work.

Examine each piece for damage

While you have everything in bits, examine each part to make sure that it is not damaged. You are looking for little splits or tears. If you find any, the best approach is to replace that piece entirely.

Reassemble and test your faucet

Now, you are ready to reassemble your faucet and see whether it now works. Usually, it will.

Finding a good plumber

If none of the above works and it is still leaking, you really should call a plumber. As you can see from these statistics a leaky faucet can easily add about $20 to your annual water bill. Not to mention the fact that wasting all that water is bad for the environment.

Finding a good plumber near you is not difficult. You could go the old-fashioned route and ask friends and family for a recommendation. Or, go online and read the online reviews left by others who have used plumbers in your area.