How To Repair A Leaky Bathroom Faucet

A leaky bathroom faucet is a common problem that can waste a lot of water and increase your utility bills. In most cases, you can repair a leaky faucet yourself with a few simple tools and some basic plumbing knowledge.

The first step is to identify the type of faucet you have. There are two main types of faucets: compression faucets and cartridge faucets. Compression faucets have a washer that seals against the valve seat to stop the flow of water. Cartridge faucets have a cartridge that contains both the washer and the valve seat. Once you know what type of faucet you have, you can follow the steps below to repair it.

Repairing a Compression Faucet

1. Turn off the water supply to the faucet. 2. Remove the handle by unscrewing the screw that holds it in place. 3. Remove the packing nut by unscrewing it with a wrench. 4. Remove the washer from the packing nut. 5. Inspect the washer for damage. If the washer is damaged, replace it with a new one. 6. Reassemble the faucet by following the steps in reverse order.

Repairing a Cartridge Faucet

1. Turn off the water supply to the faucet. 2. Remove the handle by unscrewing the screw that holds it in place. 3. Pull the cartridge straight out of the faucet body. 4. Inspect the cartridge for damage. If the cartridge is damaged, replace it with a new one. 5. Insert the new cartridge into the faucet body. 6. Reassemble the faucet by following the steps in reverse order.

Preventing Future Leaks

There are a few things you can do to prevent future leaks from your bathroom faucet:

Use a water-saving faucet. Water-saving faucets use less water than traditional faucets, which can help to reduce the amount of water that leaks out of your faucet.

Install a leak-detection device. A leak-detection device can alert you to a leak in your faucet so that you can fix it before it causes any damage.

Regularly inspect your faucet for leaks. By regularly inspecting your faucet for leaks, you can catch them early and repair them before they cause any damage.

By following these tips, you can help to prevent future leaks from your bathroom faucet.