Leaky faucet repair on your own can save money. Washer type (compression) and washer-less are two basic kinds of faucets. Some tips to stop drips are:
- Faulty washers are often the culprit. Washers may be replaced but still not fit properly to stop the drip. The best preventive solution is to buy a washer-less faucet.
- Close the faucet tighter to stop the leak temporarily until you are ready to fix it.
- You can stop the sound of dripping water by tying a long string around the end of the faucet. The water will drip on the string and run down silently.
- For a washer type faucet, examine the stem. If the threads are badly corroded replace it. If it’s dirty then clean it.
- Look at the washer, if it is flat or has a groove worn in it, replace it.
- Replace the brass screw if it’s damaged.
- Any faucet that requires a frequent washer replacement has a damaged washer seat. Either reface the seat with a seat dressing tool or replace it.
- Install the correct type of washer. Preferably use a swiveling washer.
- Put silicon grease or petroleum jelly on the threads of the stem to lubricate faucet action.
- If the leak is around the stem and not the spigot, install new packing or O-rings.
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