Would You Like a Free Expert Consultation?

Las Vegas Handyman 

Not every project goes as well as planned. We would be happy to spend a few minutes answering your questions.

Subscribe by Email

Your email:

Browse by Tag

Pro Handyman Blog

Current Articles | RSS Feed RSS Feed

Faucet Leak At Base Of Spout

  
  
  

kitchen faucet spout leakA faucet that leaks at the base of the spout might not actually be leaking where you think it is. Since water runs downhill, check around the aerator to make sure the water isn’t dripping from there are simply running down the underside of the spout where it collects on the base of the faucet. It may be that you can remove the aerator and clean it up and the leak will stop. Otherwise, you have a decision to make.

If you have a single handle faucet with this problem, the repair is pretty easy. If you have a faucet with separate handles, you might consider replacing it if you have a lot of corrosion around the base. The choice is yours.

If you have a single handle faucet, you can replace the O-rings. You will need to remove the handle, which involves lifting a cap and removing a screw. You can jiggle the spout back and forth while lifting it off. You will see two O-rings on the faucet body, one at the top and one at the bottom. Replace these O-rings and use plumbing grease or liquid soft to lubricate them. You don’t want these to twist as they will allow water to pass and leak out. Once the O-rings are on, carefully slide the spout back on.

Replace The Faucet Seat Along With The Stem

  
  
  

faucet seatIf you have a two handled faucet and you have a drip from the spout, feel the water for whether it is warm or cold. That will tell you which side of the faucet needs to be repaired.

You will have two components to stop the leak, the stem and the seat. The stem is attached to the handle and rotates to allow water to pass to the spout. The seat is what the stem pushes against to stop the flow of water. Many people will replace the stem because it is easy to get to, but the seat is a little different.

The seat can get pitted and allow water to pass. You can use a seat resurfacing tool to remove the rough areas. This tool is basically a small abrasive wheel the grinds off the rough areas.

If you want to replace the seat, you will need a seat wrench. This tool is shaped like the letter “L”. One leg slides into the hole in the middle of the seat, and the other leg is used as a handle to unscrew the seat from the faucet. The new seat just screws back in.

Place the stem back in place and then finally the handle on the stem. Turn the water back on and there shouldn’t be any leaks.

Tags: 

Leak Where Garden Hose Connects To Faucet

  
  
  

garden hose leakIt is pretty common to see a leak when you turn on the water to your garden hose. Maybe it is the faucet, maybe it is the hose. Here are a few steps to stop it.

Of course, the first think to do is to tighten the hose connection. I know this sounds like a no-brainer, but you would be surprised. The next thing I would look at is the rubber washer at the hose connection. Unscrew the hose and look into the threaded connection. You should see a rubber washer. If you don't see one then you have found your problem. It may also be the case that the washer is torn or twisted. Just replace the washer and be done with it.

If you still have a leak, inspect the the hose for damage, particularly where the hose connects to the threaded connector. If there is damage here, you can buy a repair kit, or buy a new hose if yours is a cheap vinyl one.

Finally, make sure that it is not the faucet that is leaking. If it is, You may get by with tightening the nut that sits right below the handle. The worst case is that you have to replace the hose faucet.

Tags: 
All Posts