Before a faucet can be fixed, you or your plumber will need to know what kind of faucet you have. There are two main types, compression and washerless. Compression-style faucets are normally found in older buildings, and they have two handles. Washerless faucets are more modern in design, and they are equipped with a single lever or knob to control the flow of both hot and cold water into the tub.
Before you take a faucet apart, soak any connections in lubricating oil to make sure that the bolts and nuts aren’t damaged when they are removed. Plug the sink to keep parts from going down the drain, and keep all pieces so that the faucet can be reassembled. Make sure that the pipes are drained and the water is shut off at the valve or the main shutoff point.
Most leaky compression faucets can be fixed by tightening the packing nut or replacing the packing. Leaks can also be fixed by replacing the washer or the valve seat. If you think that you won’t be able to handle the job, you should call in a professional plumber.
Sun, Oct 11, 2009
Plumbing Info