Repairing your own faucets will save you money.
No matter the brand of faucet, repairing leaks does not require a visit from the plumber. Homeowners with little to no previous plumbing experience can repair a leaking faucet in less than an hour. Most hardware stores will carry an exact replacement for your faucet's valve stem or cartridge. If you are unsure about the exact type you need to buy as a replacement, take the old one with you to the store as a guide. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Shut the main water valve for the house, cutting off the flow of water going to the faucet. Turn the faucet on to release any leftover water pressure.
2. Pull up the center cap on the control handles and remove the screw hidden underneath. If there is no cap, locate the screw on the base of the handle and remove it with an Allen wrench.
3. Pull the handle off the faucet assembly, or heat it up with a hair dryer and then pull it off if the handle is stuck. If you still cannot remove the handle, clamp a handle puller around the handle and twist the center rod clockwise to pull it off the faucet.
4. Use a wrench to twist any adapter pieces or nuts sitting on the valve stem counterclockwise until they come off. Pull out any pins or clips in the faucet assembly using needlenose pliers.
5. Remove the valve stem or cartridge using an adjustable wrench. Use a cartridge puller tool to remove the valve stem or cartridge if you are unable to twist it out with the wrench. Coat the threads of the replacement valve or cartridge with plumber's grease, then reassemble the faucet in the reverse order you took it apart.
Tags: valve stem, stem cartridge, valve stem cartridge, faucet assembly
