How Do You Repair a Faucet?

A basic kitchen faucet repair by a professional plumber can cost you around $250, which includes the parts needed. Or you can purchase a new faucet for under $100 or as much as $400 and up, then pay the plumber between $100 and $250, or more, to install the new unit. 

Another option is to do your own faucet repair. Yes, there are kits available at your local hardware store or at any big box home improvement store. Those kits will come with instructions, the manufacturers usually have how-to videos on their website, and you can find hundreds of online YouTube videos to guide you through doing your own faucet repair job. 

Are all faucet repair kits the same?

Did you know that a dripping faucet can waste up to 10,000 gallons in 1 year?  How much is that costing you on your monthly water bill?  Probably a lot more than the $20 it would cost to buy a faucet repair kit and stop that dripping. 

If you’ve never done a faucet repair before, it may seem daunting. But once you have completed the project, you’ll have some confidence to tackle that running toilet next! By performing just basic repairs like a kitchen faucet, you’ll save money and prevent additional damage to your home. 

To answer the question, are faucet repair kits the same, no they are not. The first thing you need to determine is how old your faucet is. An older faucet is going to be a little different than the modern faucets we have today. 

Let’s say you have a modern type of faucet for the sake of this question. The problem is usually going to be the cartridge, the ceramic disk, or the rotary, depending on the type of faucet. To get the right kit, the best thing you can do is remove your current faucet and take it with you to the hardware store or big box home improvement store. A knowledgeable staff member can help you determine which faucet repair kit you need. 

These are for common faucets: 

• COMPRESSION WASHER FAUCET:

This is the oldest style of faucet and is still used. Faucet repairs for this type are usually done by replacing the rubber washers in the handles that seal the water flow. The handles only move side to side, getting tighter as you turn the water off. 

• CARTRIDGE FAUCET: 

Typical of a bathroom sink faucet and has two handles and a spout. While the handle goes up and down turning the water off and on, the insides of the faucet have a cartridge that controls the water by moving up and down.

• DISC FAUCET: 

Disc faucets are found in newer faucets and are more expensive. The single level that is on top of the cylindrical body operates these durable and reliable faucets. 

• BALL FAUCET: 

The cold and hot water is controlled by a ball joint that has a single handle with a rounded cap on the spout top. The handles are pushed up and down for adjusting the pressure and moving it left or for temperature adjustments. This is a popular faucet choice in kitchens. 

What tools are used to repair a leaking faucet?

Even for a homeowner that has never picked up a screwdriver before, you can accomplish a faucet repair within an hour in most cases using just these tools:

• A four-in-one screwdriver
• A set of Allen wrenches
• A basic pair of pliers
• A pair of slip joint pliers

Have your faucet repair kit and a package of O-ring seals in various sizes.

How do you repair an old faucet?

Older faucets are the compression type of faucet that has a washer inside the handles that compresses as you tighten the faucet handle to shut the water off. This washer will wear out over time, causing the faucet to drip. Fortunately, this is a quick and easy faucet repair, and less expensive than calling a plumber. The following steps will walk you through how to repair a sink faucet: 

• Turn the Water Supply Off: There is usually an oval-shaped shutoff valve under the sink and turning it clockwise will turn the water off. If your sink doesn’t have this valve, you’ll need to turn the water off at the meter. Once the water is off, turn the faucets to the on position to let out pressure.

• Remove the Faucet Handle: Your faucet may have a decorative cap on the cold and hot knobs. Lift that caps off and you’ll see a screw there. Remove the screw and then using the pliers if needed, lift the handles straight up. 

• Remove the Valve Stem: With the handles removed, you will see another cover on the valve stem assembly. Using your pliers, remove this cover and the valve stem assembly. If your faucet doesn’t have a cover, there should be a hex-nut to the valve stem assembly. This can be removed using an adjustable wrench or pliers. 

• Remove the Stem Washer: Sitting in the valve seat should be the old washer with a screw holding it in place. This is the part that is worn out, or maybe even missing, and causing the dripping. Remove the brass screw, then using a flat-head screwdriver, pry the washer out. Now clean the end to remove any debris, deposits, and residual rubber. 

• Install the Replacement Seal: From the package of assortment, find the washers that fits, and you can also replace the rubber O-ring at the valve stem assembly while you have it all apart. Then push the replacement into the valve seat and secure it with the brass screw. Replace the O-ring if desired and coat the O-ring exterior with waterproof grease for plumbing.

• Reassemble the Faucet: Thread the valve stem into the faucet body, tighten it with pliers so that it is secure then reinstall the handle and the cap. 

A stem-type faucet will start leaking because the stem has gone bad, usually caused by rust. This faucet repair can be done easily and quick yourself, saving you money from hiring a plumber.  The following steps will walk you through how to repair a faucet stem: 

• Step 1 – Turn the Water Off
• Step 2 – Drain the Water Lines, Open the Faucets
• Step 3 – Remove the Faucet Handle
• Step 4 – Remove the Stem
• Step 5 – Replace the Stem and Washer
• Step 6 – Turn on the Water On

For this and most faucet repair needs, you can find several online videos from the faucet manufacturers and on YouTube that will guide you through this process as well as the steps on how to repair a faucet handle.  Most of these products come with instructions in the package too.