How To Fix A Leaky Faucet

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• Did you know that household leaks can waste
  nearly 1 trillion gallons of water annually in
  the USA? According to the United States
  Environmental Protection Agency, leaks can waste
  10,000 gallons of water every year per household
  and 10 of homes have leaks that waste 90 gallons
  or more per day. Fixing leaky faucet can save you
  more than ten percent on your water bill!

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• A faucet is a device that delivers water from a
  plumbing system. It has some components which
  include a spout, handle(s), lift rod, cartridge,
  aerator, mixing chamber, and water inlets. Almost
  every homeowner at one point or another faces the
  problem of leakage of a faucet. Here are some
  instructions you can follow to fix a leaky faucet.

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• Before You Start
• There are some precautions you need to take
  before trying to fix the faucet. It will make the
  job easier down the road.

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• The first step is to shut the water off under the
  sink. Then close the sink drain and cover it with
  a rag to catch dropped parts. Moreover, it is
  important to tape the jaws of your wrench with a
  layer of duct tape to avoid scratching the
  fixtures. Next, you need to find a place to lay
  the parts in order of removal. At last. make sure
  to use distilled white vinegar and a soft
  scouring pad for removing mineral deposits on
  faucet parts.
• Here are the 5 steps to fixing a leaky faucet

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• 1. Shut Off the Water
• Begin by turning the water off. Do not make the
  mistake of taking apart the faucet, else you
  could end up with a flooded kitchen or bathroom.
  Locate the shutoff valves below the sink
• to turn off the water to the fixture.
  Alternatively, you can also turn off the main
  water supply for the entire house. Turn on the
  faucet to verify that the water is shut off and
  to relieve pressure from the lines. Cover the
  drain with a lid to avoid losing any small parts
  down the hole

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• 2. Remove Faucet Handles
• You can use a flathead screwdriver to remove the
  decorative handles from the faucet. Use a
  high-quality screwdriver to remove the screws
  holding the handles in place. Sometimes you will
  find screws and other handle parts are corroded
  that can make it difficult to remove them. You
  can use lubricants to loosen the parts. Set the
  parts aside and make a note as to where they go
  and how to reinstall them.

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• 3. Inspect the Faucet Parts
• Use the wrench to loosen the packing nut and
  reveal the stem. You can then twist or pry the
  stem off of the valve. Inspect the packing nut
  and the stem for signs of buildup or corrosion.
  Additionally, check the O-ring and the washer in
  the valve seat to make sure that they are in good
  condition too. Clean the parts as needed to
  remove any buildup or deposits, and then set them
  to the side.

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• 4. Clean the Valves
• After all of the parts have been removed from the
  faucet, you can inspect the valves. There is
  likely a fair amount of mineral depositing or
  other buildup. Pour white vinegar over the
  affected areas and allow everything to soak for
  several minutes. This helps dissolve the deposits
  to make them easier to remove. Use the scouring
  pad to clean the surfaces. Remove the stopper
  from the drain and pour clean water over the
  valves to rinse away any dirt and debris.

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• 5. Put the Faucet Back Together
• Put the faucet back together in reverse order of
  the order you followed when you took it apart. If
  any of the parts are overly corroded or damaged,
  be sure to replace them with new parts. Now, turn
  the water supply back on and inspect the faucet
  for leaks.

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• Know When to Replace the Faucet
• As with anything else, faucets deteriorate with
  age and need to be replaced sooner or later. If
  the faucet you are working with is old, then it
  might be time to replace it with a new one. Many
  faucets have a lifespan of about 10 years before
  they require major repairs or replacement. If you
  are frustrated with not being able to fix your
  leaky faucet yourself, dont worry! Plumbing911
  has your back. You can give a call on (866)
  720-0911 a Toll-Free number.