Faucet and other plumbing repairs do not have to be itimidating.
To those who have little or no experience with plumbing repairs, those repairs can seem intimidating. However, there are some basic repairs that just about anyone can accomplish if the right tools and procedure are used. The main issue with most plumbing repairs involves leaks, either from the faucet or the plumbing under the sink. Professional plumbers can be expensive. You can save that money by attempting to fix basic plumbing problems yourself. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
Faucets
1. Turn off the water supply to the faucet by using the water stops under the sink or the main water shut off for the entire house.
2. Pry off the button caps on two handle faucets or unscrew the Alan screw at the base of a single handle faucet to remove the handle or handles. On two handle faucets use a screwdriver to remove the screw under the button cap to remove the handles. If replacing the handles, screw on the new handles.
3. Use an adjustable wrench to remove the retaining nut that secures the cartridge or valve stem. Many times a leaky faucet can be traced to a worn out cartridge or valve stem or a bad washer. Remove the washer and cartridge or valve stem and replace with new parts and reassemble the faucet. Turn on the water supply.
Drain
4. Locate and familiarize yourself with the drain pipes under the sink. Standard sink drains have a straight pipe attached directly under the sink drain. A curved pipe, called a p-trap is attached to the straight pipe. Another straight pipe is attached to other end of the p-trap that goes into the wall or floor.
5. Use a pair of slip joint pliers to tighten the large nuts that connect the different drain pipes together. If you are experiencing leaks under the sink, one of the most common causes is loose drain pipes. If items are stored under the sink the pipes can become loose from being bumped accessing those items.
6. Replace drain pipes that are cracked or leaking from any place other than where they connect to other pipes. Replacement pipes can be purchased at a hardware or home improvement store for a few dollars. They can be replaced by inserting them in place and securing the nuts which fasten them to the remaining plumbing.
Water Supply Hoses
7. Locate the water shut off valves under the sink. There should be one for the hot and one for the cold. They are attached to the faucet stems with water supply hoses.
8. Inspect the water supply hoses for leaks. If there is water seeping from the connections, use an adjustable wrench to tighten the nuts at both ends of the water supply hoses. If the main body of either hose is cracked or leaking it must be replaced.
9. Shut off the water supply by turning the shut off valves all the way to the right.
10. Use an adjustable wrench to unscrew the leaking water supply hose.
11. Install the new water supply hose by attaching it to the faucet stem and to the shut off valve. Use an adjustable wrench to tighten the nuts but ensure that you do not over tighten them.
Tags: under sink, water supply, adjustable wrench, drain pipes, cartridge valve, cartridge valve stem, plumbing repairs