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How To Fix Seven Types Of Leaky Faucets

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Millions of faucets each years start to drip, run, or simply just start to leak. Most of the times these faucets never get repaired and then wind up getting replaced. The problem is that this is just very wasteful and can be avoided but most people do not know how easy it can be to repair a leaky faucet of any kind. We will show you how to fix a leaky faucet, but not only for one type of faucet but seven different kinds of faucets that may be around your home or business.How To Fix Leaky Faucets

All of these faucets can be repaired using ordinary hand tools. The parts you may need to repair your faucet can be bought at any local hardware store, an online plumbing supply merchant or even a local plumbing supply house. The fact is that 90% of leaky faucets can be repaired in under two minutes for under $5.00. That’s a lot better then spending hundreds of dollars on a completely new bathroom or kitchen faucet.

So let’s talk about what usually leaks on faucets and why they leak. There are actually several kinds of leaks you can have on a faucet. There are three parts of any faucet that will leak the most. The first part is the faucet stem washer. This washer can breakdown over time and just a small pinhole or part of it that wears away can make that faucet drip. The second most common part that will leak on a faucet will be the faucet stem seat. The faucet seat generally will go bad if the washer has been leaking for sometime and has been ignored. Faucet seats do not usually wear out on there own.
Single Lever Faucet Cutaway Diagram
However when you replace a faucet washer it is always a good idea to change the seat if you have one available. The third and last most common part that will leak on the faucet will be the “packing”. The packing is a type of rope is used in certain types of faucets like outdoor hose bibs , single handle kitchen faucets and more. This packing is held in by a “packing nut” which is designed to tighten down so that the leaky faucet can be tightened to stop the leak.

So now that we have described what type of leaks you can have and how they are generally repaired we will go into more detail on each particular faucet and show you how to fix the drip. Please remember that not every faucet will be able to be repaired due to some common reasons. Sometimes products like “washer less faucets” or plastic faucets ca simply just break forever, but 95% of faucets can be repaired with a few minutes of your time. Let’s get started shall we.

How To Fix A Dripping Faucet:

Before we can even get started explaining how to fix a dripping or leaking faucet we will first tell you that you will need a few hand tools. You will need a pair of pliers, flat head screw driver and a Philips head screw driver. If you also have a pair of channel locks that will be good as well. If you are looking to replace a stem, seat or a washer you will need a stem removal tool on some faucets and you will need the seat removal tool to pull the seat from the faucet.

How To Fix A Kitchen Faucet:

The most common problems that will cause drips or leaks on kitchen faucets are bad washers and loose packing rings. If you have a single handle kitchen faucet that is leaking you will want to tighten the packing nut that is on the faucet. You will need to take an Allen key or screwdriver and loosen the set screw that is holding the faucet handle on. Once you remove the handle you can tighten the packing ring a half turn. Once you have tightened the packing nut put the handle back on and open the faucet. If you still have seepage or a drip remove the handle again and give the pacing nut another half turn. Repeat this process until your leak stops. You do not have to tighten the handle set screw all the way back down until you have finished adjusting the faucet packing nut.

If you have a two handle kitchen faucet that has a drip and you think it may be the seat or washer then use or “how to change a faucet washer and seat” guide below.

How To Fix A Leaking Bathroom Faucet:

The first thing you will need to determine before you go and try to fix the leaky bathroom faucet is to make sure its not a washer less faucet. If it is a cheap plastic washer less faucet with out removable stems you might as well just buy a new faucet but make sure the new faucet is rebuild-able. You could always hire a licensed Plumber as well if you can not determine the type of faucet you have.

However if you do have a bathroom faucet that does have washers, seats and stems you can use our guide below to learn how to change the faucet seat and washer.

How To Fix A Bathtub Faucet:

The bathtub faucet is a bit different then a kitchen sink or bathroom sink faucet. Your bathtub could be a stand alone shower body with a wide spread hot and code valve system or a combination shower body that controls the shower head and the tub spout. Depending one what type you have will depend on what type of repair you will need to do. Lets start the process of elimination to determine what type of shower valve you have.

Here are some questions that will help you determine what type of shower valve you have.

Do You have a wide spread faucet or a single handle faucet?

If you have single handle faucet you will need to change the “shower body cartridge”. Look for the make of the valve and buy the replacement shower body cartridge for your shower. Moen and Delta shower bodies are very common in new homes. So if you have bought your home within the last 5 years your probably have a Moen or A Delta Faucet that is defective or even just worn from age. The cartridge can be bought at most home centers as well as plumbing supply houses.

If you have a three handle faucet or a wide spread faucet then you can replace the faucet washers , faucet seats and stems in your valve.

How To Fix A Leaky Shower Faucet:

If you have already replaced the washer , cartridge or even the complete shower body and when you shut your shower off you still have a leaky shower faucet or shower head then you you can fix this by removing the mineral buildup inside of the shower head or faucet. What happens is over time the water will leave deposits in the openings in the shower head or faucet and then over time then will start to clog. The shower head is designed to drain fast so that it does not drip all night, but if you have a shower head that is built up with mineral deposits then whats happens is the water that is left over in the shower head after you close the valve will take longer to drain because it is all clogged with minerals. To fix a clogged shower head, remove the shower head and soak it in some mineral remover.Mineral removers for shower heads and faucets can be found anywhere online or in retail stores. You might also want to think about installing a house house water filter to remove those minerals right from the start so you will not have this problem in the future.

How To Fix A Leaking Tub Faucet:

The tub faucet is basically the same thing as the bathtub faucet but rather just a shorter way to say bathtub is to say “tub”. So if you are looking to learn how to fix your bathtub from leaking or dripping then follow the instructions in this guide.

How To Fix A Leaking Outdoor Faucet:

The outdoor faucet known commonly as the hose bib or the hose spigot. This type of faucet has “packing” around the valve stem and can be tightened by using a pair of channel locks. Be careful not to over tighten the packing nut because this will make the valve to hard to open because you will be the pushing the packing down to much resulting in a locked valve stem.

How To Change Faucet Washer And Seat:

Faucet Seat and washer replacement diagram
You will need some tools to completely remove a washer and faucet seat. You will need a Philips head & Flat head screw driver as well as a seat removal tool which is basically a metal rod with a special tip that fits inside the seat.

Here is a step by step guide on how to remove and replace the washer and seat.

1) Remove the faucet handle. You will most likely have to remove the hot and cold inserts that cover the screws. Once you remove them remove the screw and pull the handle off.

2) Once you have removed the faucet handle you will not want to remove the faucet valve stem. Depending on what type of faucet brand you have will depend on how the stem comes out but most will with have a holding nut, clip or can be spun in the reverse direction of the valve when its in the on position.

3) Once the stem is removed you will want to flip it over and unscrew the brass washer screw out of the bottom of the stem. Once the washer screw is removed you can remove and then replace the washer. If you do not have any washer left or if your even missing the brass screw then do not worry as you can buy a new washer screw for the stem. It is also very important to make sure the seat of the stem is not worn or in fact you will have to replace the stem.

4) Once you have replaced the washer on the stem you will now want to change the faucet washer seat.Using your seat removal tool turn the seat counter clockwise and remove the seat.

5) Once you have changed the seat and the washer you can put the faucet back together knowing that your faucet will now be drip free.

This concludes our leaky faucet workshop. We hope you enjoyed the lesson.

68 Comments

  1. I’m writing about the drip in my kitchen faucet. My fixtures are deltas and sometimes when you take washers off and replace them with new ones that won’t fit. My washers are beleved with a flat bottom that I can’t get in the base to put the stem cartridge and all the pieces back together to turn my water back on. I want to know is there a difference between delta and regular washers because I got universal washsers but what ever I use to try to push the washer down it won’t go . What can I do? Please help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  2. Have you changed the ‘seats’?

    There are different size washers, so you will want to want to match the size, but you will also want to change the seat as well, and for that you will need a seat tool.

  3. I have an outside bib. It suddenly started leaking thru the faucet itself (not thru the sides) Do you have a diagram (as you do for the others). So I know what needs to be replaced and what sizes will I look for.
    I dont think its been frozen as its been covered and is less exposed than others that aren’t leaking. Thank You.

  4. My hose bibb is also leaking since I turned it on for during the warmer weather. It’s nothing fancy. Just a handle that you turn. I will buy some composite paster colored washers, but then where do I install them? Thanks for your help.

  5. Replaced small spring and o-ring in base and valve stem. Still have dripping faucet. Any ideas? Base worn out? Stem not pressed far enough into base?

    ???

    TIA Gene

    • Hi Gene,

      Did you also change the “seat”. Usually you will need to change the seat of the faucet as well.

      Let me know if you need more help,

      Joseph

      • Thanks for replying!

        What are you calling the “seat”? I replaced the small flexible ring on the spring in what I think is called the “base” below the bottom of the stem. That is what I meant by “o-ring.” Now I realize that “o-ring” could be interpreted as the o-ring around the upper part of the stem assembly.

        Gene

        • Hi Gene,

          Some faucets will have a “seat”

          This screws into the faucet body.

          If you look at this image you can see the seat on the faucet stem to the left:

        • Oh thanks, I hadn’t noticed that type of mechanism. I do have the cartridge type, though. After four hours of fiddling around, I did manage to stop the drip. I have the cartridge installed 180 degrees out. A nuisance to learn to learn to turn the handle the other way, but not leaking is a real pleasure. I don’t know that reversing the cartridge had anything to do with it, but I’m not ready to spend another hour or two trying other versions of my setup:)

          Thanks for your help.

          Gene

  6. Have you checked your water pressure? Anything over 60 pounds is considered high and this can lead to even “new” parts to leak.

    Also, make sure that you are not using knockoff rebuild parts like Danco as they are second grade to the quality that OEM parts provide in regards to a true rebuild of a faucet.

    Most times when I am called to a home, this is the #1 reason why I am there; the cheap rebuild parts didn’t work and the property owner instantly assumes they did something wrong.

    They did, but it had to do with the purchase in the quality of parts they used, that’s it most times.

  7. My water pressure is set for 20-low 40-high. It seems not to be particularly powerful, so that isn’t likely to have been the problem. And there has been no change in the pressure tank and switch from before to after the problem developed. While I was at the sink, I went ahead and changed the hot water spring and seal. I bought a new Delta set of these for my repair. I have pretty old faucet units, so any age-related deterioration would not surprise me. I got it to where it doesn’t leak, and I’ll leave it alone until next time it does. Next time, it may be to spring for a new fixture — yes, quality!

    Gene

  8. I HAVE A APPROXIMATELY 50 YEAR OLD HOUSE WITH A LEAKY OUT DOOR FAUCET. CAN YOU CHANGE THE WASHERS ON THE OLDER FAUCETS. I AM A LITTLE WORRIED ABOUT THE OLDER PIPES BREAKING IF I HAVE TO CHANGE THE WHOLE FAUCET (WHICH IS WHAT ALMOST HAPPENED TO THE OTHER LEAKY FAUCET IN THE BACK YARD). THANK YOU

    • Hi Darren,
      You could cetainly attempt to change the washers however, depending on age, water conditions, and the condition of your hose bibb it may not work. The stem if replacement is needed will probably not be available and the seat on these cheap valves cannot be replaced. Many times the water leaking past the seat and washer eodes the seat leaving a groove which will only tear up a new washer after a few uses. It is possible to use a seat cutter to smooth the seat.

      What it all boils down to if it was me I would not bother trying to play with the old valve but instead would go ahead and replace it. They are cheap valves and are really not designed for repair.

      My recomendation would be replacing it with a Woodford Frost-Proof Sillcock and you should be good for years to come. They are pricey but properly installed you will not have to shut it off in the winter and all components including the seat can be replaced. The condition of your pipes is another matter and If you are not comfortable dealing with them you should probably use the services of a plumber.

  9. I replaced the seat and the entire cartridge in my leaking kitchen faucet, but I think that I over-tightened the cartridge when I was installing it. Now it is leaking from the base of the handle. What will I have to do to fix my mistake? Thanks.

    • Hi Jody,

      Generally the leaking you are talking about would be caused by worn components in the shower valve.

      Several scenarios exist that could cause this and it would depend on if the water was running into the washer as the leak occurs or, if you were doing a hot wash load and the water heater was reheating.

      The first scenario where the water was filling the washer may be the result of a lower water pressure which on some valves such as Delta and Peerless use a rubber cup type of seat that uses water pressure to assist in sealing. The rubber seat is badly enough worn that there is no longer enough pressure to seal properly while the water is running. Repair of the valve would be required.

      The second scenario is that the water heater is reheating resulting in thermal expansion in a closed system causing an increase in pressure causing worn components to leak. In this case again it would be a matter of fixing the valve and installing a thermal expansion tank to absorb the increase in pressure caused by thermal expansion. This would be fairly easy to verify with the use of a gauge that screws on to a hosebibb.

      I hope this helps you out, Redwood

  10. I have a double handled Moen faucet in my bathroom. The hot side is leaking. I have tried replacing the o-rings on the cartridges……….still leaks. So I swapped cartridges and it is still leaking from the hot side. I am baffled! Any advice???

    • Hi Larry,

      When you say that you swapped cartriges I’m not sure if you swapped the hot & cold or, swapped in new. If you swapped sides I would definitely try new and see what happens then. The new cartridges O-Ring should be lubricated with a grease per Moen specs when installed. The cartridge relies on the O-Ring to seal against leakage and it is possible that it may have been damaged on insertion into the valve body. The bore of the faucet body may also have some debris from the old O-Ring bonded to the bore causing a rough spot or the bore may have been scratched or eroded from the leak also. If the bore of the faucet body is not smooth where the O-Ring seats it will leak. You may be able to clean it up with a wire fitting brush or, fine plumbers cloth to get a seal. The worst case scenario is the faucet may require replacement. Contact Moen at 1-800-BUY-MOEN for free replacement parts you have a life time guarantee.

  11. need to replace seat and washers on cold handle in tub. took cap and screw off can’t get handle off to get what i need. this is a very old four fingered wide spread faucet set. any help please

  12. Here’s my problem and I hope someone can help. When you turn on the shower more water comes running out of the tub faucet then comes out of the shower head. Plus all of the water running out of the faucet is cold so it makes it hard to control the temperature of the water coming out of the shower head. Help Please :)

    • Hi Tianna,
      I have a few questions that need answering before I can help you out.
      What kind of mixing valve do you have for your tub/shower and what do you do to divert the water to the shower head?

      Are we talking about a single handle, two handle, three handle mixing valve?
      If there is any indication of the brand name that would be very helpful.
      To divert the water to the shower do you turn the center knob on a 3 handle valve, pull up on a knob on the end of a spout, pull down on the spout, or push a button or, move a lever on the single handle valve?

      Thanks,
      Redwood

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