Should You Do Your Own Faucet Repair or Replacement?

Replacing or repairing a faucet is not rocket science, but it can be more difficult than you may think. Many do-it-yourselfers will attempt a faucet project, especially if they have replaced a faucet in the past. However, not all faucets are the same and many of the newer models are more complicated than the simple versions of the past. Here are a few things to consider before attempting a faucet repair or replacement on your own.

Do You Have the Right Tools?

There is nothing more frustrating than getting into the middle of a plumbing project and realizing you don’t have all the right tools. Your new faucet may need different size wrenches or sockets to tighten parts than your old one. Needing to buy different tools can be an added expense.

Unforeseen Problems

It is a common issue to start a plumbing project and realize there are bigger problems than you initially realized. Once started, you often cannot stop until the job is done without losing access to your sink or tub. Make sure you are ready to tackle whatever plumbing issue may reveal itself during the project.

Protecting Your Investment

If you are upgrading your faucet to a newer, more expensive model, you want to ensure it is installed right. It may be worth it to hire a plumber that guarantees their work to protect your investment; damaging an expensive new fixture or needing to replace it down the road due to improper installation are common issues with DIY plumbers.

Even a smaller plumbing project like faucet repair or replacement can benefit from the expertise of a professional plumber. Save yourself time and trouble by hiring a professional to get the job done quickly and correctly.

Posted on behalf of:
Seagraves Plumbing Sewer & Septic
4980 Plant Atkinson Rd SE
Smyrna, GA 30080
(494) 792-2221

Fixing A Kitchen Sink Sprayer

Kitchen sink sprayers are useful tools but they also tend to have more issues than other components of the sink and are one of the most common kitchen repairs. Sink sprayers easily get clogged, they can leak in several places and even stop working all together. Luckily, they are fairly easy to fix if they start to have any problems.   

One easy maintenance step to keeping sprayers working well is to clean the aerator on the nozzle itself to make sure deposits do not clog the small holes. Using a toothbrush with vinegar and water usually will do the trick.  

Leaky Sprayers

Sprayers can leak from a couple of places: the base of the sprayer, the hose leading to the sprayer or from the nozzle itself. Most leaks are due to washers needing to be replaced or a crack in a hose. 

  • Leaking from the base of the sprayer. This usually means the washer needs to be replaced.
  • Leaking at the end of the hose. The coupling that holds the hose to the faucet may simply need to be tightened.
  • Hose leaks. If there is a drip or leak coming from the hose, it most likely has a crack and needs to be replaced.

 Non-Working Sprayers

If water is not coming out of the sprayer or just cold or hot water, water pulsates or water continues to come out even when not being used, there may be a problem with the diverter valve in the spray head. This valve releases water when you press the spray head handle and can get clogged or stuck. Often cleaning the diverter component can fix the problem; other times it must be replaced. If cleaning the sprayer does not solve the problem, call your local plumber for kitchen repairs to sink sprayers or kitchen faucets .

Fixing Water Leaks In Your Home

A small water leak in your home such as a dripping faucet may not seem like much, but over time several small household water leaks can add up to a lot of water and money down the drain.  According to the EPA, the average home wastes about 10,000 gallons of water per year due to water leaks.

By correcting water leaks in your home, you can conserve water and save big on your water bills.  Most water leaks can be easily repaired by a good plumber.  In some cases, you may be able to fix the leak yourself.

Common types of leaks include dripping faucets and leaky toilet flappers.  More serious leaks include a leaky water supply line or a leaky lawn irrigation sprinkler system.  Many small leaks can go unnoticed for years.  One way to check for leaks in your home is to make sure all water using appliances are turned off (don’t forget the icemaker) and read your water meter.

Check the water meter again after a couple hours.  If the reading has changed, you have a leak somewhere.  Faucet, tub and shower leaks are easy to spot.  Have your plumber repair the leaky faucet or replace it with a new low flow fixture for even more savings.

A few drops of food coloring in each toilet tank will tell you if your flapper valves are leaking.  If the water in the bowl changes color, then your flapper valve needs to be replaced.

If your water meter still indicates a leak after repairing all of the indoor leaks, then the problem may be in your lawn irrigation system or your water supply line.  Your plumber can isolate these systems, locate the leaks, and go over your leak repair options.

Fixing a Leaky Faucet

Is your kitchen sink faucet linking? If you have an older style compression type faucet, you may be able to fix it on your own by replacing the washer. Compression faucets are common in the kitchen. Often times, the rubber washer deteriorates or becomes hardened with age. Replacing a damaged washer often returns a leaky faucet to operating like new.  So before you call a plumber, here’s how to try to fix it yourself.

Before starting on the faucet repair, make sure you turn off the water supply to the faucet.  There is usually a shutoff valve under the kitchen sink or you can turn off the water supply to the entire house.  Be sure to turn the faucet on to bleed off the excess water pressure.

Remove the faucet handle by unscrewing the retaining screw.  Now, remove the valve stem using a wrench or deep socket.  Once you have removed the valve stem, you will be able to see the washer attached to the stem by a screw.  Remove the screw, replace the old washer with a new one and reassemble the faucet.

If your faucet is still leaking after you’ve replaced the washer, then you may have a more serious problem such as a damaged valve seat.  At this point, it’s probably time call a plumber to get a professional opinion.  Your plumber will be able to find the cause of the leak and help you decide whether you are better off fixing the original faucet or replacing it with new faucet.

Replacing a Tub and Shower Faucet Set

For most homeowners, replacing a tub and shower faucet set is a big job best left to an experienced plumber.  Replacing kitchen and bathroom sink faucets are a job that a competent handyman can handle, but in most cases a bathtub and shower set is another matter.  Whether you are updating your bathroom with new bathroom fixtures or your old tub and shower faucet set has worn out, you will need to call a reputable faucet repair plumber to handle the job.

Kitchen and bathroom sink faucets are usually installed so that access is relatively easy.  The hardware that attaches the faucet to the sink is accessible through the cabinet.  In addition, the water supply lines that run to the faucet are easily removable with a wrench and pre-made flexible lines are available at any home supply center to hook up the new faucet.

A tub and shower faucet set presents a whole host of issues not present with sink faucet.  There is usually no easy way to access the valve and water supply lines without tearing apart the bathroom wall.  If you have a pre-formed tub or shower insert, it will need to be removed to get to the valve and plumbing.

You may get lucky and be able to access the plumbing from behind by going through the wall in an adjoining room, but it is still going to be a lot of work.  Once you have access, tub and shower valves are soldered in place so it will not be a simple matter of unhooking the water supply lines.

The bottom line is if you need or want a new tub and shower faucet set, call a reputable local plumber and have the job done right.