How to Change Out Bathroom Faucet Washers

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By skyedanzer
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The dripping in the bathtub is causing you to lose sleep at night, your about to lose your mind if you endure another night of dripping. Below are straight forward instructions on how to replace your faucet washer.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Screwdrivers
Washers
Wrench
Towels

Step 1

Turn off the water. You can usually find this tap at one of the corners of your basement or possibly in a crawlspace. Turn the tap all the way to the right to close.
Step 2

Open the leaking tap fully to discharge all the water in the lines, you may hear a loud popping sound don’t worry this is just air that was trapped in the line after you shut it off.
Step 3

Put the plug in the drain (you don’t want to lose screws etc. down the drain) use a flat head screwdriver insert into slot in the middle of the tap and pry out the (H) or (C) tab located in the center of the tap, (these may just have red (for hot) or blue (for cold) for identification purpose). Set the cap somewhere safe.
Step 4

Loosen the tap cover so that you can gain access to the cartridge. Use a Philips screwdriver (the one with the star). Turn the screw until you have removed it entirely, put it with the cap you already removed.
Step 5

Pull firmly and straight out on the tap and it will come off. Now you have access to the cartridge, using and adjustable wrench loosen the cartridge. There may be a gush of water once you remove the cartridge but as long as you have turned off the water there is nothing to worry about.
Step 6

At the bottom of the cartridge you will see a rubber washer, usually these washers are attached to the cartridge with a small Philips screw, take this screw out and slip off the washer, you will likely see that the washer is grooved or sunken these are obvious signs of wear. Take the washer to your local hardware store and purchase 2 washers; it’s always a good idea to buy 2 to save yourself a trip next time.
Step 7

Set the washer into the cartridge and tighten the screw all the way down, it’s a good idea to apply some heatproof faucet grease to the bottom of the washer and around the threads for added protection.
Step 8

Screw the cartridge back in by hand carefully and tighten it down with your wrench. The inside of the faucet handle will have a star like seat. Inspect ensure these groves line up when pushing the handle back on. Insert screw and gently tighten. Do not over tighten these screws.
Step 9

Put the cap back on you may need to tap it in place with the bottom of your screw driver do so gently.

Comments

saucywriter said

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on 11/17/2009 You are so handy! Do you make house calls? Great article, good steps.

cincin1 said

on 11/17/2009 Good to know tips on changing bathroom faucet washers. I know my way around a kitchen, but when it comes to the handyman specials like changing washers -- well I am all thumbs. This information provides a quick and easy solution to try before grabing the phone and yellowpages. Good Job!