Tips On How To Fix A Faucet That Leaks

Cartridge spout is the most common faucet type at home. It can be single or double-handed. Inside the spout, you will see a plastic cartridge. It controls the water flow as you turn on and off the valve. The good thing is you can fix the leaks of the cartridge faucet without any plumbing expertise.

The process will need approximately one hour for completion. Its step includes-

1. Carefully, remove the decorative cap from the top of the handle. Make sure you don’t damage it while prying off the faucet handle.
2. Use the screwdriver to remove the screws. Once you have removed the screws, you should tilt the handle. When the handle loosens, remove it.
3. In most cases, a retaining clip with a threaded design will hold the cartridge in its place. Use the plier to remove the threaded clip. After that, using a bit of your force, pull off the cartridge. You may wear gloves for safety as they may cut your hands.
4. Also, you can use the Allen wrench to remove the Allen screw and then pry off the threaded retainer clip to remove the cartridge from its location.
5. When the cartridge comes out, inspect the faucet parts to fix the problem. In most cases, a worn-out O-seal or washer is the cause of leaks. So, remove the O-seal rings with a new one. But for this, you will need to go one step forward.
6. Use the pliers set to remove the water spout. Then access the old O-ring and replace it with a new one. Also, inspect if there’s anything else that’s causing the leak.
7. Then, replace the cartridge. Ensure that your new cartridge matches the length of the old one. You can follow the user manual of the cartridge replacement kit for a quick and effective replacement. The stem length also needs to match the old stem for a perfect fit.

Once done, reassemble the faucet and turn it in to see if it still leaks or works properly.