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There are three types of washerless faucets: ball, disc and cartridge. The ball faucet has a handle that moves freely, attached to a plastic or metal ball that is slotted and rotates within the faucet itself. Changing the position changes the amount of water flow, and the temperature of the water.
The disc faucet has a ceramic disc in the middle of the housing, surrounded by three seals. These seals move to control the volume and temperature of water flow, depending on the direction in which the disc is moved.
The cartridge faucet has a narrow plastic or metal cartridge resting within the faucet. The movement of the cartridge itself, as well as the surrounding O-rings, control the volume and temperature of the water flow. - Washerless faucets are easier for you to repair than their compression counterparts. Their assembly kits are simple to open and understand, and the parts are easier to install and replace. Home improvement has been made much more accessible by such improvements.
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With a ball faucet, if you have a leaky handle, you should tighten the adjusting ring. You should also check the cam washer that rests above the wall--this can be removed with a kitchen knife or a ring wrench. If these steps don't work, the leak is coming from worn springs or valve seats. These can be pulled out with a pencil or long-nose pliers and replaced. Corroded balls should be replaced--in the same position in which it was removed. If the leak is down at the base, put in new O-rings.
With a disc faucet, if it is single-handle, lift the handle after pushing the spout to one side or the other. Take an Allen wrench and take out the setscrew, and then the decorative cap. Loosen the two screws and lift out the disc assembly. You will then be able to see three inlet seals. Replace all of these, and line up the holes with the faucet base. If this does not work, you will need to replace the cartridge that holds the discs--kits are available at home repair stores. If it is double-handle, you will need to replace the O-ring or stem unit assembly if the leak is at the handle. If the leak is at the spout, pull the spring and seal out with long-nose pliers.
With a cartridge faucet, you will either need to replace the cartridge assembly or the O-rings. Make sure that your replacement parts exactly match the worn out parts. Take off the trim cap to change the O-ring. Then, take out the spout sleeve and the retainer nut. A screwdriver or long-nose pliers will help you take out the cartridge, making note of how the retainer clip is sitting, so that your replacement part can go in the same way. Make sure that when you replace the cartridge, you have the stem face the same way as the old part--otherwise, hot and cold water may be reversed. - Just because you have replaced one part does not mean the leak is fixed. Keep testing and tightening the water until you are sure all of the leaks are gone.
- You don't have to be like Dagwood, though--if you feel like you are about to do more damage than good by repairing this yourself, call a licensed plumber, or at least go up to Home Depot and ask for some more help.
