A compression faucet is a common faucet found in many homes and is relatively easy to repair. Often, people compare kitchen faucets between moen vs kohler but that has nothing to do with whether either will or will not need repairing. Whether you are a DIY enthusiast or a beginner, repairing a compression type faucet is a very simple and easy job. This article will look at 10 easy tips for fixing a compression type faucet.
- Turn off the water supply valve
The water supply valve is normally located under the sink; do not attempt to dissemble the faucet without first removing the water supply.
- My water supply is not located under the sink what should I do?
If your water supply is not located under the sink then you may have to turn off the water supply to your entire house.
- Turn the faucet on
Drain all water built up in the faucet before continuing to disassemble anything. Any water left in the hoses will give you a big headache if you forget to empty them first.
- Remove the handle
In order to take the compression faucet apart you must first remove the handle, with a standard screwdriver.
- Remove the locknut and take the stem out
After the handle is removed you must loosen the locknut in order to pull the stem out, if the stem is attached to the entire unit then unscrew it and proceed to the next step.
- Washer
The most common reason that a compression type faucet will fail or leak is due to a faulty washer, which is located on the bottom of the stem. If the washer is damaged, remove it, and take the entire stem to your local hardware store. As a former hardware store worker I can say it is much easier to find the right washer if you bring in the entire set up.
- Problem with damaged washers
If the washer cannot be removed easily then you can cut it off the stem, which means you must bring in the stem to the store to find an exact fit. Make sure to get a properly fitted washer in order to stop leaks.
- Reinstall the compression faucet
Once the new washer is attached, you will want to reinstall the faucet and run it for a few minutes to check for water pressure and leaks. Carefully check for leaks because you will not want to do this project again in the near future.
- Still leaking and having problems?
Sometimes the stem can be corroded, which will cause leaks and other various problems. Check for corrosion and or superficial damage on the stem that would cause leaks before reinstalling the entire unit.
- Purchase a new faucet
If the compression faucet is, still having problems you may have to purchase a new faucet system instead of spending hours trying to fix the old one.
- Is there a website I can visit that helps more with this project?
www.lowes.com has some great step-by-step disassembly instructions for compression type faucets, click here for more info.
