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How
Can I Fix Those Leaky Faucet Drips?
If your faucet continues to drip and waste
water when turned off then you have a problem that is all too
typical. In today's article we will give you the information
that you need to know in order to fix this common household
problem.
There are several types of faucets found in homes today, including
the washer type, the washer-less type, the spring-and-valve
type, and the disk type. The repair procedure differs for each
type. Because replacement parts vary so much, it is best to
find a hardware in your area that has replacement part reference
books and to work with them to find the parts you need. When
possible, try to determine the manufacturer of the unit before
you go to the hardware store, and take the old parts along
with you for reference.
What to do: If
a faucet begins to leak, never use excessive force to try
to close it because that will only cause damage. Nearly all faucets can be taken apart to replace defective
parts. Before beginning to work on a faucet, turn off the stop
valves on the hot and cold lines. If you don't have stop valves,
you will have to turn off the main water supply valve and work
on the faucet when the rest of the home can get by without
water (or have a plumber do the work).
With washer-type faucets, dripping water is often caused by
worn out washers. Replacement involves taking out the screw
in the handle (which may be covered by a decorative cap), taking
off the handle, loosening the packing nut, and removing the
spindle and washer assembly. A screw holds the washer in place.
Replace it with the correct-size washer and reassemble.
Note: If washers must be replaced often, it may be a sign
that the faucet seat is worn. If the seat is replaceable, install
a new faucet seat insert, or reseat (smooth the seat with a
seat dressing tool). If a worn faucet seat is not removable,
the only option is to use this tool. For other types of faucets,
consult product sheets, detailed how-to books, or your local
parts supplier.
If the faucet that drips is more than 5 years old, you may
want to consider replacement rather than repair - unless the
original is a high-quality faucet. More expensive, quality
replacement faucets are generally worth the money; they can
last up to three times as long as inexpensive faucets, saving
both replacement and labor costs.
Tip: If there are no stop valves near the fixture where a
faucet must be replaced, consider installing new stop valves
at the time of the replacement. They will allow you to isolate
the fixture and still have water throughout the rest of the
house the next time the faucet needs attention.
Faucet
Handle Leaks When water comes out along the handle of the faucet when it
is turned on, you have yourself a faucet handle leak. Some
faucets, usually old-style units, use either a washer or packing
(which looks somewhat like greased yarn) to keep water from
escaping along the spindle. In this case, the problem will
most likely be with the washer or packing material under the
packing nut, not the faucet's washer .
What to do: If
water is leaking around the handle area, remove the handle
and try to tighten the packing nut. If this doesn't
correct the problem, remove the packing nut. If there is a
washer under it, replace it. If there is no washer, you will
need to unwind the old packing and replace it. After wrapping
the spindle with new packing material, replace the packing
nut. The packing nut will compress the packing material in
place. Replace the handle and turn the water back on at the
shutoff valve.
Mixing faucets, which are used on sinks, laundry tubs, and
bathtubs, consist of 2 separate units, with the same spout,
that need to be repaired separately. Most packing nuts may
be loosened with an adjustable wrench, and most will loosen
by turning counterclockwise. (Caution: Avoid using excess pressure
with wrenches because it can cause damage and create the need
for new parts.)
Tip: When buying packing material, ask your supplier to see
any improved versions in stock. Some newer, nylon-coated materials
help faucet handles turn easier and last longer than the older
packing materials do.
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SolveYourProblem.com : 2007
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