

Use a flathead screwdriver to gently lift up the decorative cap, exposing the screwhead underneath.Īs you proceed, it’s a good idea to place the parts in order of removal so that they are already organized in the correct order when you need to reinstall the parts. Make sure the drain is closed, then look for a small circle on the top of the handle that may have an “H” for hot or a “C” for cold. In order to fix a leaky faucet, you will need to gain access to the internal components of the faucet, so the first step is to remove the decorative cap from the top of each handle. It’s similar to how a bottle cap screws onto the top of a plastic soda container.
#Old time sink faucet handles leak how to#
How to Fix a Leaky Compression FaucetĪ compression faucet holds back water in the plumbing system with a small rubber washer that tightens in the valve seat. Find the section below that describes how to fix your type of faucet. Faucets without washers are known as washerless faucets, and they include cartridge, ceramic-disk, and ball-type faucets.

Faucets with washers are known as compression faucets. There are two basic categories: those with washers and those without. Before you begin the repair, determine the type of faucet. Repairing a leaky faucet is a relatively straightforward plumbing project, but there are different ways to fix different kinds of faucets. ( Click here for plumbing tips everyone needs to know.) If you don’t have a good drain cover, simply place a kitchen towel over the drain to prevent small parts from falling in. Next, open the faucet to release any water left behind in the line, and then close the drain. There should be one for hot and one for cold. Usually, the valves are below the sink basin, close to the wall. Start by turning off the water to the sink. The first step to repairing a leaky faucet involves preparing the faucet and sink. Geological Survey reminds us that one drip every minute wastes 34 gallons per year. After all, the leaky faucet calculator provided by the U.S. Stopping the dripping as soon as you can saves money and resources. Even before then, yours may start to leak, either from the nozzle or at the base of the fixture, so it’s important to know how to fix a leaky faucet.Īs soon as you notice that a faucet is dripping, try to make the repair immediately. According to the National Association of Home Builders, it’s safe to expect the average faucet to last about 15 years.
