How to Fix a Leaky Bathroom Faucet

A leaky faucet can look like a minor inconvenience, but all that water down the drain adds up. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), faucet leaks can waste up to 8 gallons of water a day, and with the cost of all utilities going us, fixing those leaks saves money and the environment (see link in Resources).
A basic faucet repair shouldn't take much time or effort, but it probably will require a trip to your local home improvement store for replacement parts. The most likely culprit causing that leak is probably the washer. Faucet washers can get stiff and crack over time, losing their effectiveness as sealers. The good news is that they're inexpensive and usually easy to replace.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Phillips head screwdriver
• Flat head screwdriver
• Soft cloth
• Washer

Disassemble the Handle

1. Turn off the water at the shutoff near the sink. If you can't locate a shutoff, you can turn off the water to the house until the repair has been completed.

2. Take off any decorative cap covering the screw on the faucet handle. This is a feature on newer faucets that usually just pries off. Use some care, though, because they're usually made of plastic and scratch easily. To avoid accidental scratches, cover your flat head screwdriver with a soft cloth or rag.

3. Unscrew the nut holding the handle in place.

4. Unscrew the rod and remove it.

5. Remove the screw at the washer.

6. Remove the washer.

7. Inspect the washer for wear. If you don't see any wear, you can clean the area, re-seat the washer and reinstall it, but the safest thing to do now that you've begun the process is replace the washer.

8. Clean the cavity, rod and handle with mild soap.

9. Evaluate the rod for wear too. If it looks worn or corroded, replace it too.

Repair the Faucet

10. Make a drawing that will show you how things should to go back together.

11. Use the existing washer as a template to source a new one. There are a number of ways to do this.
    Generic washer sets are sold that contain dozens of washer of different sizes. If you have a set of washers like this, you may be able to match your washer that way.
    You could also try to find a washer made specifically for your brand of faucet. This is called an only equipment manufacturer (OEM). Sometimes home improvement stores will have a specific section for these kinds of plumbing parts. To purchase a replacement washer this way, your best bet is to identify the manufacturer and model of your faucet before you go shopping.
    The third way you can locate a source for your faucet's is by checking the bins in your local home improvement or plumbing supply store and visually matching the type of washer you have to one that looks the same. This is easier to do if your existing washer is in good enough shape to make a useful template.

12. Attach the replacement washer.

13. Reattach the screw.

14. Insert the stem, and screw it back into the fixture.

15. Reattach the handle, and snap the decorative cap on.

Tips & Warnings

• Usually a washer replacement will take care of problems with leaky bathroom faucets, but if this fix doesn't do the trick, the washer seat may be the culprit. You can replace a worn washer seat without replacing the entire faucet assembly, but try a washer replacement first.

Resources

• EPA's Simple Steps to Save Water