How to Repair a Leaky Indoor Faucet

A leaky faucet can drive you insane with its constant drip. It is not something that will just go away if you ignore it; it costs you money with wasted water and loss of sleep. So take it upon yourself to learn how to fix the leak without having to spend more money on a new faucet. With some common sense, time and determination, you can do it yourself.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Flathead screwdriver
• Crescent wrench
• Utility knife
• Ziplock plastic bag
• O-ring
• Seat washer
• Heat-proof plumber's grease

Fix a Compression Faucet

1. To determine which handle of your faucet is causing the drip, find your shutoff valves and turn off one at a time. Once you have determined the culprit, keep the shutoff valve off, and turn the faucet on to drain it of any existing water that may be remaining in the pipes.

2. Once you have determined which faucet is in need of repair, remove the handle. Firmly grab the handle and pull it straight up. If the handle does not come up immediately, there may be a screw that is holding it in place. Take your flathead screwdriver, and gently pry off the decorative H or C cap. Use the screwdriver to unscrew the screw.

3. Use the crescent wrench to loosen the packing nut. Unscrew the stem from the packing nut.

4. Remove the seat washer from the stem, and use the utility knife cut off the O-ring. Place both the O-ring and the seat washer in the zip lock bag, and take it with you to the hardware store to buy your replacements.

Reassembling Your Faucet

5. At the hardware store pick up your replacement O-ring, seat washer and a small container of heatproof plumber's grease.

6. Using a small daub of heatproof plumber's grease, coat both the O-ring and seat washer.

7. Reassemble your faucet by first placing the replaced seat washer above the washer screw. Place the new O-ring atop the seat washer. Place the stem next, and place the packing nut on top of your reassembled faucet. Put the handle on last.

8. If you had to remove the handle with a screw, you will have to reattach the handle with the screw. Replace the decorative H or C cap with a push of your thumb.

9. Once you have reassembled the faucet, turn on the shutoff valve and turn your faucet on. Your faucet should be leak free.

Tips & Warnings

• Compression faucets leaks are usually caused by a faulty seat washer. If the faucet still leaks after you have replaced the O-ring and seat washer, try to tighten the connections with a bit more force.
• Although you have replaced your O-ring and seat washer, the faucet may still leak. If you still have a leak the problem may be the valve seat. You may have to break down and purchase a new assembly unit.