How do you deal with a damaged faucet?
Next to assuming that the water heater is going to be providing hot water, we naturally assume the faucet it flows from is going to work too. But, water can be damaging to most things, even things that are manufactured to be used in and with water, including the faucet. Faucet repairs are more common than you think because not all faucets are something that can easily be replaced. Fortunately, when you find yourself in need of faucet repair in Pottstown, PA the professionals at Drainmen Plumbing Inc can provide you with answers to any questions you may have.
Should you perform a faucet repair on your own?
You have a couple of choices when it comes to faucet repairs: Hire a plumber or handyman to complete the repair, or do the repair yourself. Yes – for many basic faucets, repairs are fairly easy. For example, you may be wondering how you can stop a faucet from dripping. Well, this will depend on what type of faucet you have, and we’re going to give you basic steps for four different types.
First things first, no matter what type of faucet you have dripping, turn the water off under the sink. If there isn’t a turn-off there, turn it off at the meter. Next, using a drain plug or rag, cover the drain to keep anything dropping down the drain. Now, wrap the wrench jaws with duct tape so that you don’t scratch up the faucet. And now, you’re ready to begin your faucet repair job:
Cartridge-Style Faucet
- Pry any decorative cap off the handle and remove the handle screw. Then tilt the handle back and pull it off.
- If a threaded retaining clip is holding the cartridge, using needle-nose pliers, pull it out, and then you should be able to pull the cartridge up.
- Remove the spout and using a utility knife, cut off the old O-ring, you’ll be replacing those with heat-proof plumber’s grease.
- Take the old cartridge to the hardware store and find the exact matching length, and make sure the stem end matches too where the handle attaches.
Compression Faucet
Most compression faucets that are leaking need the seat washers replaced. Using a small flat-head screwdriver, remove the decorative handle cap so the attachment screws are exposed.
- Use the screwdriver and remove the handle screw so that you can lift the handle off.
- With the duct-taped wrapped crescent wrench, unscrew the packing nut and use a duct-taped adjustable wrench to loosen the stem in the faucet body.
- From the bottom, unscrew the rubber washer from the stem and remove and replace the seat washer.
- Coat the washers with heat-proof plumber’s grease.
- Pop the stem out and replace the O-ring, which is likely the culprit causing the need for a faucet repair. Make sure you get the exact size of the O-ring and coat it with heat-proof plumber’s grease.
- The washer, also referred to as a retainer may be damaged. You can grind it with sandpaper to make it flush again, but it is pitted, you’re better off replacing it.
- Remove the stem, and the top end with emery cloth till it is smoothed.
Ceramic-disk Faucet
- Push the handle back so you can access the set screw and remove it.
- Remove the escutcheon cap and unscrew the mounting screws on the disk cylinder, then lift it out.
- With a blunt flathead screwdriver, remove the neoprene seals, they’ll need to be replaced.
- With a soft scouring pad and distilled white vinegar, clean the openings of the cylinder and then rinse with clear water.
- Replace the seals and reassemble the repaired faucet.
- With the handle in the “on” position, slowly turn the water back on and test.
Ball-type Faucet
There are many different parts of this type of faucet, and finding the leak can be challenging. It is recommended to either buy an entire faucet repair replacement kit or call a plumber for faucet repair.
What is the average price to fix a faucet?
There isn’t a base price to quote on faucet repairs. The type of faucet is the key component to pricing, which includes the parts and the time it takes for the faucet repair to be complete.
What is the most frequent failure in a typical faucet?
A leaking faucet is a constant reminder that water is being wasted that you’re paying for! Not to mention the waste of a natural resource! Both money and natural resources are reasons enough to get any faucet repair done sooner rather than later.
There are four different kinds of faucets, which we have listed below, along with steps for repairing three of them. The ball type of faucet, repairs are more detailed and complicated, and having it done professionally is always the better solution.
Compression faucets rely on rubber washers for sealing the valve seat. These rubber washers wear out with daily exposure to water, and this is the usual reason why they leak and need faucet repair.
The other faucet types have either a neoprene seal or an O-ring and again, water can cause these to wear out, which leads to faucet repairs.
When The Water Flows
Are faucet repairs worth the money and time to do? If you have a specially ordered faucet, yes – for sure, a faucet repair is the better option. If you have a tight household budget, doing faucet repairs is going to be less expensive than replacing the faucet. If you’ve found yourself in need of faucet repair in Pottstown, PA or any nearby cities our team can help with any questions you may have, so just reach out to us. Call 484-366-9362 today.