How to Fix a Faucet Washer

A worn washer can cause your faucet to drip.

Faucet washers are attached to the bottom of the valve stem. This stem is open and closed by turning the faucet handle. When closed, the washer seals tightly against the valve seat inside the faucet, keeping the water trapped inside the pipes. A worn out or dirty faucet washer won't seal, resulting in a leaky faucet. Fixing a faucet washer is simply a matter of removing the valve stem and cleaning and greasing the washer.

Things You'll Need

• Flat bladed screwdriver
• Phillips screwdriver
• Wrench
• Silicone grease
• Teflon plumber's tape

Instructions

1. Turn off the water for the faucet where you want to fix the washer. Look directly beneath the basin to find the water supply valve. Most water supply vavles will have a round or oval shaped handle at the end. Turn this to the right to shut off the water. Open the faucet and allow any water inside to run out.

2. Remove the faucet handle. Look at the base of the handle for a small screw. Remove this and pull the handle straight off. If you don't see a screw, pry off the temperature indicator label on the top of the faucet with the edge of a flat bladed screwdriver. Unscrew the faucet handle screw counterclockwise to remove. Pull the faucet handle off.

3. Adjust the wrench so it fits snugly around the hexagonal nut at the base of the valve stem. Turn this counterclockwise until the faucet stem is loose, then remove by hand.

4. Turn the valve stem over. Remove the retaining screw at the bottom. Pull the washer out of the hollow.

5. Clean off the washer with the toothbrush. Remove any built up calcium or sediment deposits. Insert the washer back into the valve stem. Secure with the screw. Apply a few drops of silicone grease to the face of the washer.

6. Wrap the threads of the stem with Teflon plumber's tape. Insert the stem into the faucet socket. Tighten with the wrench.

7. Slip the faucet handle over the end of the stem. Insert and tighten the faucet screw. Replace the temperature indicator if it was removed.

Tips & Warnings

• Badly worn or damaged washers should be replaced.

• Don't force the handle into place on the stem. There are grooves in the top of the stem that fit into the bottom of the handle. Turn the handle until it slips into place.

References

• Hammerzone: Replacing a Faucet Washer
• This Old House: Fixing a Leaky Faucet
• Family Handyman: Replacing a Leaky Tub Faucet