Faucets leak because the cartridge is worn out or damaged.
A dripping faucet is a noisy nuisance that wastes water continually. If you pay for water by the gallon, dripping faucets cost money as well. Fixing dripping faucets is fairly simple, however. It only requires about 20 minutes of your time and one special part. The replacement cartridge, used in most home faucets, solves all leaks and drips. Remove and replace this part when your faucet begins to wear out and stop the dripping for good. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Turn off the faucet by shutting the supply line valves underneath the sink. Turn the two knobs clockwise until they stop and no longer turn to close them.
2. Remove the faucet's handle. First locate the set screw in the handle. This is a small Allen head screw located on the base of the handle, or underneath a cap on top of the handle. Pry off the cap, if your faucet has one, with your fingers and remove the screw with an Allen wrench. Pull up on the handle to lift it off the faucet.
3. Unscrew the bonnet under the handle. This is a dome-shaped part threaded on the bottom. Turn counterclockwise to unscrew and remove this part. Unscrew the retaining nut under this part with a wrench and remove it.
4. Lift the cartridge up and out of the faucet by the stem -- the rod on top of the faucet. Replace the cartridge with a replacement made just for the brand and model faucet you own. Consult your hardware store for this particular part.
5. Replace the retaining nut and tighten with a wrench. Replace the bonnet and tighten this by hand. Push the handle onto the stem of the cartridge. Insert and tighten the handle set screw. Insert the cap in the screw hole, if your faucet has a cap.
Tags: this part, your faucet, dripping faucets, handle This, with wrench
