We take for granted having running water in our homes and the ability to wash up after bathroom duties freely. All you have to do is turn the sink handle on and clean the liquid flow. While we don’t think about it, if there is a leak, that becomes your priority, and it needs to be fixed.
Before you take things apart, knowing what you are getting into is helpful. Faucets come in four main types. A single-handle control can be a ball, cartridge, or disc faucet. With a dual handle, cartridge faucets are compressed to control hot and cold handles.
Do you have water seeping out of the sink handle? You can contact a plumber for help. Alternatively, tackle this repair yourself with some guidance and tools. Follow these steps to replace parts and make repairs, or hire a plumber to do it for you. Then, you can enjoy water flow without it leaking from the handles.
For DIYers, this is how to fix a leaking sink.
Replace the O Ring
Leaks from the handle are usually due to a worn O-ring, so this is the first place to check. You must take the handle apart to get to the O-ring, so start by shutting off the water supply. For a single-handled faucet, turn off both water lines. For a dual faucet, turn the line off to the leaking tap.
Now that the water is off, you can remove the faucet handle by prying off the decorative cap. Depending on the setup, use a screwdriver, pliers, or wrench to remove the fastener from the tap assembly. You should be able to lift the tap off now.
Look for the leak’s source by inspecting the O-ring and washer. If the O-ring looks damaged or cracked, simply take it to your local home improvement or hardware store and get a replacement part. Now, you can put the new O-ring in and reassemble the faucet in reverse order.
Compression Faucet
This type of faucet is slightly different, so you must remove a nut below the decorative cap using a wrench. Remove the stem, lift the seat washer, and replace it with an O-ring. Put everything back together and see if the problem persists.
Cartridge Faucet
This is likely a single-handled faucet and can be removed by unscrewing the handle and detaching any retaining clip from the cartridge. Remove the spout, and you will find O-rings underneath. Replace them with new ones and apply plumber grease before reassembling the faucet.
Ball Faucet
You will remove a ball faucet by unscrewing the handle, disassembling the cap, and seal with pliers. Remove the inlet seals and springs and replace the O-rings with other parts if worn. Reassemble the handle and see if it is fixed.
Disc Faucet
When you take the cap off the faucet top, you will see a disc cylinder underneath with a few neoprene seals. Unscrew the handle and remove the seal for inspection.
If they are in good shape, wash them out in vinegar and put them back in, but if they are worn or damaged, replace them. Put everything back together and gently turn the water on for the first time so the ceramic disc doesn’t crack.
Other Issues
Beyond the O-rings, other components may contribute to the faucet leak. These could be the ball assembly or ceramic disc cartridge, and all these parts can be replaced while removing the faucet.
Any worn, damaged, faulty, or loose parts will cause this annoying leaking. Even taking the faucet apart for inspection and reassembling it tightly may be all it takes.
If all of this seems like a lot, you are not alone. Most homeowners want to be self-sufficient and feel pride as they accomplish home improvements and minor repairs, but sometimes, problems are just above your pay grade.
If this is the case, you should call in the professionals, such as a reputable plumbing business. These businesses have all the right tools and qualified tradespeople to deal with these issues daily.
While bringing them in for a service call costs you money, your repair will be done quickly and efficiently. This will save you time and frustration compared to taking it on yourself.
