The sound of a dripping faucet is not something homeowners want to hear. It’s not only an annoying sound but also a huge source of wasted water. It’s estimated that a faucet that drips at one drip per second can waste more than 3,000 gallons per year. This is almost 200 showers. Even a subtle dripping faucet can increase your water bill. So, it is worth fixing as soon as possible. The good news is that most dripping faucets can be fixed in a couple of simple steps that most homeowners can do themselves.
In most cases, the faucet drip is caused by the cartridge. This can wear out. Here is how to fix it:
You’ll know immediately if you forget to do this step. And you will have a mess to clean up. Shut off the water supply to the faucet before you do anything. This is found under your kitchen or bathroom sink. If there is not a shut-off valve under the sink, shut off your main water supply for your home.
How you remove the handle will depend on your faucet type. There may be a screw behind the handle to unscrew. Some simply twist off. If you are not sure, you can usually find an instructional video on YouTube on how to remove the handle for your specific faucet model.
The cartridge is the piece that regulates the hot and cold water supply. Use a wrench to loosen and then pull the part out. Inspect the cartridge and other elements of the faucet. Look for signs of wear and tear.
Install a new cartridge. Make sure you are using the same type and size of the cartridge. If you are not sure which one to get, visit your local hardware or plumbing parts store. Insert the piece and put the handle back together
Reconnect the faucet handle. Turn the water back on and test the faucet. Your leak is gone!
Note: Some faucet repairs may take more steps. Different faucet models and manufacturers have different parts so make sure you are using the proper parts.
If you are not sure you can DIY or if you want the peace of mind of knowing the job was done by an experienced plumber, give us a call and we’ll happily come to your home and fix your leaky faucet.
If you are thinking about replacing your leaky faucet, check out our large selection of bath and kitchen faucets from industry-leading brands such as Moen, Pfister, Riobel, Groche, and many more.
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At Bradshaw Plumbing & Renovations - the safety and well-being of our staff, our customers, and our community is our top priority. Rest assured that we are monitoring the COVID-19 situation closely, and taking the necessary precautions to keep everyone safe and healthy.
To help with prevention, we have put the following protocols in place for our staff:
1.) Providing staff members with ample supply of: hand sanitizers, disinfectant wipes, masks, gloves, face shields, and eye protection.
2.) Asking customers if they have been diagnosed with or exposed to COVID-19, or if they have any cold or flu symptoms, prior to entering their home or business.
3.) Team members have been instructed to keep safe social distance, to avoid shaking hands when serving customers, and to work at least 6 ft away from others at all times.
4.) Any staff member that develops cold or flu-like symptoms will refrain from working immediately and be asked to contact Ontario's Public Health Agency to follow the COVID-19 testing and self-isolation protocols.
5.) Should the situation present itself, our staff members have the right to refuse entry into a property if they feel they are in harmsway.
6.) The parts department is available from Monday to Friday for curbside pickup of essential plumbing repair parts.
7.) Please note that during this time, the showroom will be closed until further notice.
Thank you for your cooperation and understanding, as we all do our part to keep eachother safe and healthy during these challenging times. We will get through this together.