A faucet that continuously drips can be annoying. Not only that, it can also become a waste of so much water. Good thing, there is no need to wait for the plumber to come over when you have a dripping faucet. You can DIY this job easily, which can save you a lot of money and headaches as well.
Preparation
Before learning how to fix a dripping faucet, you must first prepare yourself for the job including the tools you will need.
Repairing a leaky faucet is quite easy. There is hardly a skill required. As long as you know how to use a wrench, you are good to go. You need not to master anything to be able to finish this kind of project. What you must be prepared for are the things you will need.
More often than not, an old washer that needs to be replaced causes a dripping faucet. In that case, you will need a washer that fits. Size is very critical. You have to be sure of the size of the washer you need before you buy one. If you have a stock in your toolbox, be ready with different sizes. If you are to buy, open the faucet first and determine the size of the washer before heading to the hardware store.
Fixing
When your tools are ready, you can start off the job by first turning off the water supply. If there is an on/off switch to the valve where your faucet is located, you must switch that off.
After turning off the water supply, you must drain the faucet of any remaining water. Then, use a wrench to open the faucet. Remove the handle until you get to the washer.
Take the old washer and replace it with a new one. Remember to look for the right size. A smaller one will create a leak while a bigger one would not fit.
While you are at it, clean the faucet with a toothbrush or any cleaning agent. Make sure that the accumulated dirt would be cleaned well.
Then, put back the head and the handle. When you already arranged the faucet back, you can turn on the switch to the water supply and test if you are able to solve the drip.
If there is still a leak, you have no choice but to repeat the process. See where you went wrong or whether there is another problem source aside from the old washer or not.
