Maintaining the Home:
Interior Maintenance

Repairing Dripping Faucets

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A dripping faucet is a common household problem that most people can fix themselves. To repair a dripping faucet, follow these steps:

1. Shut off the water to the faucet, either at the pump or where the supply enters the house (usually on the side next to the street). It should be near the water meter. Some installations have a valve under the sink or lavatory, which is convenient. (Vis. 1)
   

   Vis 1

2. On some faucets the handle must be removed to get at the bonnet. To do this, remove the screw on the top of the faucet and remove the handle. Lay out all parts in the order you take them off so you can put them back in that order later. (Vis. 2)

   Vis. 2

3. With a monkey wrench or adjustable wrench remove the bonnet. (Vis. 3)

   Vis. 3

4. Remove the valve stem by rotating the handle in the same direction as you would to shut off the water. The assembly should come out. (Vis. 4)

   Vis. 4

5. Remove the screw on the bottom and pry out the old rubber washer. Be sure to replace the washer with the same size and type. If you do not have a washer of the appropriate size you might try reversing the present washer. This would be a temporary solution especially if the washer is a flat disc and not a coned washer. Measure the diameter. For the first replacement buy a package of assorted sizes and remember what size your faucet requires. (Vis. 5)

   Vis. 5

6. Check the valve seat to be sure it is not scored. (Vis. 6)

   Vis. 6

7. Reassemble the faucet in the reverse order you disassembled it.
8. Turn the water back on.

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Repairing Single-Lever Faucets

Single-lever (one handle) faucets are trickier to repair than the stem faucets previously mentioned. There are several different styles of single-lever faucets, with each being repaired differently and some often requiring special tools for disassembly. Most manufacturers sell a complete repair kit for their brand of faucet. The rotating ball faucet is the most common, and below are the steps in its repair.

1. Under the shank of the handle is a screw that must be removed with a hex wrench. Do not take the screw all the way out. It is easily lost. (Vis. 7)

   Vis. 7

2. If the drip is from the spout, replace the two rubber valve seats and steel springs in the bottom of the faucet body. Unscrew the cap assembly and lift out the ball/stem and cam assembly. (Vis. 8)

   Vis. 8

3. With fingers on long nose pliers, remove the valve seats and springs. Push replacements firmly into place. While you have the ball out, check for corrosion and replace if necessary. (Vis. 9)

   Vis. 9

4. When replacing the ball, make sure that the peg that projects from the side of cavity fits into the oblong slot on the ball. (Vis. 10)

   Vis. 10

5. Replace the cam assembly as shown, making sure that the small tab on the side fits into a slot on the faucet body; screw on the cap assembly. (Vis. 11)

   Vis. 11

6. Before reattaching the faucet handle check for leaks around the stem by moving the ball/stem to the "on" position. If there is a leak, use the tip of a small screwdriver to tighten the adjusting ring by turning it clockwise. If, in order to stop the leak, you have to tighten the ring so that the handle is difficult to work, then the entire cam assembly needs to be replaced. (Vis. 12)

   Vis. 12

This material was adapted from publications produced by Michigan State University. Michigan State publications can be found on the Web at http://www.msue.msu.edu/msue/

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