Fix a leaky faucet in 4 easy steps

A leaky faucet is not only annoying, it can end up being costly for the wallet and the planet. All good reasons to stop putting off that faucet repair job!

If you think that a dripping tap is harmless, think again. As well as making a maddening noise that could drive you to drink, every drop of water that drips uselessly from your faucet wastes what is rightly called “blue gold”. Depending on how much the faucet is dripping, up to 4.5 litres an hour can be lost. At the end of a year, that could add up to more than a hundred baths! And, if you have a domestic water meter, your bill could start rising as well.

Unless you want to throw money out of the window, all while wasting this most precious of resources, it is always best to avoid procrastination and proceed quickly with any faucet repairs.

If you’re not very handy, and if a manufacturer’s installation and maintenance instructions seem more like a riddle than anything else, or if you just don’t have the time to tackle the problem, you’re much better off entrusting your faucet repairs to an expert. A plumber can take charge and fix the problem, allowing you to go about your normal activities, worry free.

In older models, the valve stem of a traditional faucet ends in a valve seat and washer, while more modern styles are based on a system of ceramic disc cartridges. However, no matter which type of faucet you have, your plumber will be able to repair it in the blink of an eye. Here is a summary of the key steps that are typically involved in any faucet repair.

1. Before doing anything, the plumber will check to make sure that the faucet can be repaired.
2. Then he or she will turn off the water supply valve. A conscientious professional will take the time to plug the sink so that pieces do not fall down the drain while the faucet is being dismantled.
3. The next step is to remove the faucet’s mechanism in order to change the worn out washer or the cartridge in which the discs are damaged.
4. The plumber should also clean the opening of the housing, put everything back together properly, and turn on the water again.

Of course, a leaky faucet could also be the opportunity you were waiting for to change your fixtures completely. Now you can purchase the latest in styles that go perfectly with your sink and modern décor. For top quality work, be sure to call on the expertise of a plumber when replacing your fixtures or carrying out faucet repairs.