One of the most common plumbing problems people have to deal with is a leaky faucet. Wherever the leaking is happening it adds up to a lot of water for one year, if it is from a hot tap you are also wasting the cost of heating the water that is just dripping down a drain. In times when we all should be trying harder to conserve things like water and energy, a drippy tap might seem like just a nuisance, but it is something that needs to be dealt with quickly.
Kitchen faucet repair is something you can try yourself by changing a faucet tap washer. If things get worse, you can call in a local plumber to handle it for you. Here is a look at some of the steps you can take to handle it, or how to find a plumber if you do not want to risk it!
Easy steps to handle a leaky kitchen faucet
As long as you have some basic tools like an adjustable wrench and a screwdriver you can take a look at yourself before you pay for a professional to come out. You will also need duct tape and Vaseline or plumber’s grease.
- There are in general four main kinds of faucets, ceramic disc, ball, compression and ceramic, so when you decide to take care of your kitchen faucet leaking you need to know which type you have so you handle it correctly and get the right spare parts.
- Turn off the shut-off valve under the kitchen sink and drain the pipe so you do not get water everywhere. Cover the sink drain once the water is drained so that should a small part drop it does not go down the drain and create its own situation! Also, take your wrench and the duct tape and cover the jaws with the tape so it does not damage the fixtures with its teeth.
- Begin with the handle and start to take the faucet apart. Pay attention as you unscrew to make sure you know what goes wear for when it is time to put it back together. Have a cloth where you place all the parts so it all stays in one place and nothing rolls away as you take a look at the leaking kitchen faucet.
- If you have a ball, cartridge or ceramic disk faucet then it is likely that the problem is with a broken or old O-ring. In some cases, those types might also have a problem with a valve seat that is corroded. Replacing these parts will cost less than $20.
- The compression faucets have problems with leaking often when the washer becomes worn out. So when you take off the handle and remove the stem check that part to fix a leaking kitchen faucet by replacing the washer.
- Put on some Vaseline or plumber’s grease to lubricate it and use either distilled white vinegar or a scouring pad to remove mineral deposits on each part. Giving it all a good clean can help and you might as well while there!
- When you have replaced the part that is broken you have completed your kitchen faucet repair you can then put back on all the parts. Once back together turn on the water and check the faucet.
Finding a plumber if you need one
If you do not have the tool or any general repair skill or you just do not have the confidence on how to fix a leaky kitchen faucet or the time, then, of course, you need to call in a plumber. Three main ways to find yourself a professional and experienced plumber are:
- Ask people you know – Ask your friends, neighbors, family and see who they use and if they can come out to you. Look for someone with a good reputation to handle your leaking kitchen faucet.
- Check local phone books – Another place to look is your Yellow Pages or another local phone book. Many advertise in them, or you can just find their listing contact information and call them. Compare at least a couple before you hire someone.
- Search online – Online tends to be a lot of people’s first place they look nowadays. You can check their websites and also get an idea of what others have said about them. When you do not know how to fix a leaking kitchen faucet then call someone who does.
Conclusion
Whether your kitchen faucet leaking at the base or it is dripping from the spout, a plumber can fix it and check there are no more serious issues behind the leak.
