I believe everyone has encountered a dripping faucet at home. It doesn’t seem like a big deal, but I know it’s a headache, and long-term water leakage will also waste our water resources, which is not environmentally friendly. You need to queue up to find someone to repair it, and the labor fee is very high, so don’t worry. As long as you have the right accessories and tools, you can solve this problem in less than half an hour. According to research data, about 5% of the water bills in each household are caused by unknowing waste. Therefore, regular maintenance of damaged faucets can not only save resources but also save us money.
It’s not a complicated thing, follow our steps and give your faucet a new lease of life.
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In fact, there may be many possibilities for the dripping faucet. You need to check and confirm one by one. It is best to carry out repairs according to the area.
Filter element wear
If your faucet has two switches, one for hot water and one for cold water, and the filter element is hidden in the two handles, if your double-switch faucet starts dripping, it means that the filter element in the switch has been damaged.
Washer wear
Washer wear is a common cause of faucet leakage. After being used for a long time, the washer often rubs on the valve seat. After long-term wear, it may cause dripping. It may also cause the faucet to drip because you install it incorrectly or have the wrong size. .
O-ring failure
The O-ring is located inside the faucet. Its function is to fix the handle of the faucet and generate friction. Therefore, it will wear out for a long time and cause the faucet to drip.
Water pressure
The pressure of the water flow will also affect the work of the faucet. This reason is relatively easy to solve. You only need to adjust the water pressure of the faucet.
Preparation before you start
Before you start repairing your faucet, you need to make some preparations. First, close the water valve. The water valve is usually under the sink. Just tighten the water valve clockwise. This is to avoid touching the faucet switch when disassembling the faucet. Then prepare the screwdriver and just take out the tool box at home. Just prepare the replacement filter element, pipe grease, and tape.
Tools needed
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4-in-1 screwdriver
Allen wrench
Pliers
O-ring
Washer
Plumber’s Grease
White vinegar
fiber rag
How to repair a leaky faucet
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The first step is to remove the handle. You may need to use a hexagonal wrench to remove the fixing screws. The screws are relatively small so they need to be stored well.
Then lift the faucet and take it off easily. At this time you will see the filter element of the faucet, but there may also be a nut holding the filter element, so you need to use pliers to remove the nut. At this time, the filter element can be taken out and replaced with a new filter element later. After removing the floor, you can see the sealing ring and O-ring. At this time, you can clean the hardware parts with white vinegar, and then replace the sealing ring.
Finally, install the filter element and apply grease on the valve element. Finally, perform the water pressure adjustment, and your faucet should be able to be tightened without water flowing out.
How to tell if a faucet needs to be replaced or repaired
If the repair cost is the same as the replacement cost, then I suggest you replace the faucet directly, because direct repair may cause the same problem next time.
If the practical age of your faucet is approaching ten years or more, then we recommend that you replace the faucet directly, because the faucet looks like water is flowing inside, but it is actually a good place to hide dirt and evil, and you cannot find it. So replacing the faucet is also a guarantee for your health.
How to maintain faucets
You can adjust the water pressure to the appropriate value. Do not use too much water, which will accelerate the wear of the internal parts of the faucet.
The inside of the faucet can be cleaned and parts replaced regularly.
When there is a problem with the faucet, don’t delay and repair it promptly.