Tap, tap, tap! That’s the tiny sound of a leaky tap that seems to get louder the more it leaks. It grows louder at night, especially when you already have a limited amount of hours of sleep.
Aside from the annoying dripping sound, that leaky faucet will waste a lot of water and end up costing you a fortune on water bills. So, we propose a quick fix to this problem.
Leaky taps are usually caused by a worn-out cartridge – the little stem on which the faucet handle sits. This cartridge is pretty simple to replace on your own, and we’ve provided six easy steps to help guide you during this repair
Tools & Materials Needed
- Wrench
- Allen keys
- Adjustable Pliers
- Flathead screwdriver
- Phillips-head screwdriver
- Silicone faucet grease
- New faucet cartridge
Replacing a Faucet’s Cartridge in Florida?
1. Shut Off the Water
Turn off the water to prevent a watery mess during your repair work. You can either do this at the house’s main water supply or by turning off the water valves below the sink.
After turning off the water, open the faucets to empty any remaining water into the sink.
2. Remove the Faucet’s Handle
Using your Allen keys, remove the screws on the side of the faucet handle. Once removed, lift the handle and set it aside together with the screw. Make sure both items are in a safe place.
3. Remove the Cartridge
Using your adjustable pliers, grip the retaining nut of the cartridge and turn counter-clockwise to loosen it. Once it’s loose, you’ll be able to turn out the nut by hand and remove it. With the nut removed, you can pull the cartridge out.
4. Put New Cartridge in Place
Take the new cartridge out of its packaging and apply a pea-sized amount of silicone faucet grease to it. Then, place the new cartridge in the now-empty slot. Make sure to align the tabs, which will help you slide the cartridge into place easily.
Now that the cartridge is in place go ahead and put the retaining nut back into place with your wrench.
5. Reattach the Faucet’s Handle
Grab the handle and screw that you set aside in the second step. Put the faucet handle back into its place. Using your Allen key again, secure the screw back into its place. Make sure the handle is secure.
6. Turn the Water Supply Back On
For the final step, turn the water back on and let it run out of that faucet for about a minute. Watch out for any leaks to ensure that the problem has been fixed.
That was easy, wasn’t it? If, after following these steps, you find that you still have a leaky faucet, don’t hesitate to call Erica's Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Restoration for assistance. Give us a call.
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