A dripping tap is irritating and increases your water bill. Thankfully, it's not that hard to fix, if you're able to recognize the faucet model and get the right tools. Why pay a plumber if you can do it yourself? Here's how to fix the four most popular types of faucets.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Getting Started
Step 1. Turn off the water that reaches the tap
Look under the sink and look for the pipes that go to the faucet. Along these pipes there should be knobs that you can turn to shut off the water. Turn them clockwise to close them.
Step 2. Close the drain
Use the sink plug or a rag. There is nothing worse than a screw or washer dropped down the sink drain.
Step 3. Determine what kind of faucet you have
A compression tap it has two screw knobs, one for hot water and one for cold water, and it is easy to recognize it at first glance. The other three types of faucets all have a central mixer that you can adjust to get hot or cold water as you like. It is necessary to disassemble the faucet before being able to understand the model because, although they may all look the same outside, inside the mechanisms are different.
- A tap with ball valve contains a ball bearing.
- A cartridge tap contains a cartridge of various materials and often the mixer has a decorative cap.
- The ceramic disc faucet it has a ceramic cylinder inside.
Method 2 of 2: Repair the Faucet
Compression
Step 1. Remove the two knobs
Remove the decorative caps, if necessary (usually those with the words "Hot" and "Cold"), unscrew and remove the knobs.
Step 2. Use a wrench to remove the nut
Below you should find a stem, which is above the O-ring (plastic circle); this rests on the gasket (which is usually rubber), and which is often responsible for the dripping.
Step 3. Pull out the stem
In this way you can see the O-ring (thin) and the gasket (thick).
If the leak is in the knobs, replace the O-ring. Take the old one to the spare parts store, to use it as a model, and don't make a mistake with the purchase
Step 4. Remove the gasket
It should be held in place by an upside down brass screw.
Step 5. Change the gasket
As there are several sizes, you need to take it with you to the store as a sample to find the right one. Cover the replacement gasket with plumber's grease before installing it.
Step 6. Refit each knob
At this point, the less severe leaks should have been fixed.
With ball valve
Step 1. Buy a replacement kit
Ball valve taps have many pieces that will need to be replaced and some of them need special tools to be assembled. Note that it is not like replacing the entire tap. In these kits you will find everything you need, tools included; they cost around 20 euros and you can find them in the "plumbing" department of many DIY stores.
Step 2. Unscrew and remove the mixer
Lift it up and set it aside.
Step 3. Use the pliers to remove the cap and stud
Loosen the tap cam. Use the tool included in the replacement kit. Remove the cam, washer and ball.
This resembles a "ball joint": a rubber ball (usually white) that moves is attached to the joint and releases or blocks the flow of water
Step 4. Remove the intake seals and springs
To do this you need to reach the internal mechanism with pliers.
Step 5. Replace the O-rings
Remove the old ones and coat the new ones with plumber's grease before installing them.
Step 6. Put in the new springs, gaskets and cam washers
They should all be in the kit; in practice you have to follow the procedure as before, only in reverse.
Step 7. Reassemble the mixer
The leak should be fixed.
A Cartridge
Step 1. Remove the mixer
Detach the decorative cap, if needed, unscrew and remove the mixer by tilting it back.
Step 2. Remove the retaining clip if necessary
It is a circular, threaded piece (usually plastic) that holds the cartridge in place and that can be removed with pliers.
Step 3. Pull the cartridge so that it remains in an upright position upward
This is the position it assumes when the water comes out to the maximum.
Step 4. Remove the faucet spout
Put it aside and locate the housing of the O-rings.
Step 5. Replace the O-rings
Remove the old ones by cutting them with a cutter and coat the new ones with plumber's grease before installing them.
Step 6. Reassemble the mixer
The leak should now be fixed.
Disc Ceramic
Step 1. Remove the nozzle cap
After unscrewing and removing the mixer, find the metal nozzle that rests immediately under it.
Step 2. Unscrew and remove the ceramic cylinder
Below you will see several neoprene seals.
Step 3. Remove the gaskets and clean the cylinder
White vinegar should work very well for this purpose, especially if you have hard water. Leave it to soak for several hours to remove the encrustations and then decide whether or not to change it.
Step 4. Replace seals if applicable
If they look cracked, frayed, thin or otherwise damaged (or just want to be sure), take them to the parts store and buy more of the same type.
Step 5. Reassemble the mixer and, very slowly, turn on the water
Opening the water with too much pressure can break the ceramic disc.
Advice
- The faucet may not look like the ones described above (e.g. ball valve faucets can be placed on one side of the sink for a more elegant look). However the internal mechanisms are the same.
- If you notice a lot of limescale on the faucet knobs, remove them with an anti-limescale product. These deposits can be the cause of the leaks.
