Identify and fix leaks
A leaky faucet can waste up to 11,350 litres of water each year. Fixing that hot water leak can save you up to $33 per year in your electricity costs.
Fixing a leaky faucet
Materials and supplies
- Towels
- Screwdriver
- Scouring pad
- Wrench
- Gasket
- Plumber’s putty
Skill level
Advanced
Time required
1 hour
Worn-out washers are the main cause of leaks in faucets, and a new one generally costs about 25 cents. Here’s a step-by-step guide to fixing a leaky compression faucet with handles for hot and cold:
- Start by turning off the water. If you look under your sink, there will be a handle you can use to shut off the water flow.
- Plug the sink with a cloth, or towel to stop small parts from going down the drain.
- There is likely a decorative piece on the handle, sometimes labeled hot or cold. You’ll need to remove this to expose a screw.
- Using a screwdriver, loosen the screw and remove the handle. This will expose a valve.
- Tighten the valve with a wrench and turn the water back on to see if this fixed the leak. If the faucet is still leaking, turn the water back off.
- Remove the valve completely by unscrewing it, and examine it:
a. Check the threads for corrosion and dirt, then clean with a scouring pad.
b. Check the bottom of the valve for a gasket. If it looks deteriorated, remove the screw and replace the entire gasket. - Once the valve has been fixed, apply some plumber’s putty along the threads to create a water tight seal.
- Put the valve back in place, replace the handle and turn the water back on to check to make sure the leak is fixed.