Plumbing 101: Stopping That Drip, Drip, Drip

Plumbing 101: Stopping That Drip, Drip, Drip

It's the middle of the night and you're lying in bed wide awake -- again. From the bathroom next door you can hear "it:" that subtle yet nagging noise that has been disrupting your rest for the last two weeks. Even if you possess only the most rudimentary of plumbing skills, there are steps you can take to stop chronic drips and take your nights back! Here are some tips.

What Kind of Faucet Do You Have?

The most common causes of dripping taps are worn or loose parts. It will save you tons of time and aggravation if you know what kind of mechanism is operating under the faucet. Compression and ball faucets are the ones most likely to leak, so chances are good you are dealing with one of these two types.

Fixing a Compression Faucet Leak

A compression system will have two separate handles: one for hot water and one for cold, both of which require tightening either to the left or to the right in order to turn off water flow.

--Turn off main water supply and cover drain with a stopper or towel to prevent small parts from falling down the drain.

--Carefully remove the handles either by using a screwdriver or slip-joint pliers.

--Use the pliers to remove the retaining nut and expose the stem assembly.

--Chances are either the rubber washer is corroded or the O-ring is damaged on one or both mechanisms and will need to be replaced.

--If the problem is still not fixed after reassembly, you'll need to bring in a plumber either to replace the entire stem assembly or to change out the faucets altogether.

Fixing a Ball Faucet Leak

A ball system is easily recognizable: it has a single handle that moves over a ball-shaped cap set into a base.

--Ball faucet repair kits are available at any hardware store or home improvement chain and will have everything you need to repair a leak.

--Turn off the water supply then remove the handle using an Allen wrench or screwdriver.

--The leak may simply be caused by a loose locking collar that holds the ball in place. Check to make sure it is tight, and then tighten if necessary. If it was indeed loose, reassemble the faucet, turn on the water and give it a go.

--If the problem is still there, remove the domed cap, cam and cam washer.

--Check the condition of the two small rings inside the faucet as well as the O-ring and replace with parts from the repair kit if necessary.

--Reassemble the faucet in the reverse order of how you took it apart and check to make sure the leak is fixed.

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