Avoid Costly Emergency Plumber Calls: How to Repair Your Dripping Tap
By: John Clayton
Submitted: 2012-02-18 05:41:46 | Word Count: 544
Many homeowners choose to ignore their leaking faucets to avoid unexpected expenses. But 3 gallons of water daily can be wasted because of those small leaks. It can also result to bigger troubles that will cost more in the future. Dripping tap is one of the most common plumbing problems but also one of the easiest to fix. Knowing how to repair your dripping tap can save you from unexpected plumber calls and unplanned expenses.
You should know that leaky faucets are caused by either loose nuts or washer. You can distinguish a loose nut if the water is dripping from the packing nut area or somewhere around the base of its handle. Washer problems can be distinguished when water is running out from the handle of your tap, there are leaks coming from the faucet, or water is being collected behind the faucet handle.
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Though there are various types of faucets today, they still have the same parts and arranged in a similar fashion. Here are the basic steps in fixing your dripping tap.
Things You Need:
• Adjustable wrench or a crescent wrench
• Screwdriver
• Penetrating oil
• Set of washers with different sizes
You can also use pliers as alternative for a wrench.
Steps:
1. Turn the water shutoff of your sink. If you do not have an individual shutoff for your fixtures, you have to use your main shutoff to turn off the water supply of your entire house.
2. Remove the handle. You may want to take note of its assembly in case you have trouble in putting back your faucet. Remove the packing nut by using your wrench or pliers. Packing nut is placed below or inside the faucet handle. Avoid scarring the handle and packing nut with your wrench.
3. Turn the stem to the same direction that you would to turn on the faucet. Continue to turn and wiggle it until you remove the entire valve.
4. Locate the old washer under the valve. Remove the screw that holds it in place. Use the penetrating oil to lube the screw if it is too tight.
5. Replace the parts as necessary. Inspect the screw and the stem. You might need to replace these as well if it is already worn out. Using your old washer as your guide, check for a perfect replacement from your set of new washers. If you do not have a set at your home, bring your old washer to a hardware store and ask a representative for its replacement. Take note if the washer is beveled or flat and make sure that your new one is identical to your old washer. You might also want to replace it with a different one if your think that the washer is not appropriate for the valve.
6. Fasten the new washer in place and reinstall the valve in the faucet. Position the stem and turn it clockwise to put it back in place. Fasten the packing nut and handle with your wrench. Make sure to avoid scarring any metallic part as you reassemble the faucet.
You may now turn on the water supply and check for leaks. If your tap is still dripping, you might need to call for utility personnel or emergency plumbing services to solve the problem as early as possible.
