Can I Fix My Own Leaky Faucets Myself?
Faucets don’t last forever. With normal wear and tear, faucets like any mechanical part will eventually wear out and stop functioning properly. So the question is, “Can I fix my own leaky faucets” myself, or do I need a plumber?
What Are The Causes Of A Leaky Faucet?
Frequent Faucet Failure
If you have done a lot of DIY repair on a faucet and it continues to go bad, it’s time to replace it. Most faucets can last a long time when properly repaired a few times. If you can fix a leaky faucet you can save money. But the cost of parts and your time can add up and you need to replace it.
Loose Parts
If there are loose parts and your faucet isn’t functioning any more, even though you’ve tightened it several times, It’s time to replace your faucet.
Broken Parts - Corroded Valve Set
If upon inspection you see that the valve set is corroded and not functioning, the rubber or nylon parts won’t seal against the corroded part. The faucet needs to be replaced.
Problems with the Washers - Seals
If you disassemble your faucet and the washers or seals are worn down, you may need to replace the washer or even the entire faucet depending on the type. Washer issues usually happen to compression faucets.
The age of your faucet
Faucets usually wear out in 15-20 years. With a few repairs in between, you can expect to get the maximum life out of your faucets.
Why does my faucet leak?
Leaky faucets can be very annoying and in some cases very costly. The constant dripping can make annoying sounds, stain otherwise nice sinks, and raise your water bill.
Problem with O-Ring/Seals
Rubber and nylon O Rings seal the gaps between the moving parts of the inside workings of a faucet. These parts keep the water running freely where it should and prevents water from getting out where it shouldn’t. With regular use or age, these parts can deteriorate, break, or just wear out completely.
Corroded Valve Seat
The valve seat is where the faucet mechanisms and the spout join up. Depending on how hard your water is, minerals and deposits and sediment can build up and cause corrosion on the valve seat causing a leak.
Worn Out Seat Washers
In older faucets the seat washer can become damaged or worn. These can usually be replaced easily. Newer faucets have cartridges that may need to be cleaned or replaced instead of washers.
Worn Out Cartridge
These faucets can lose their watertight integrity due to wear, and deposits of minerals. Sometimes these can be removed, cleaned, and reinstalled. But other times, the damage is too great and they need to be replaced.
Can a leaky faucet affect my water bill?
Every year there are thousands of gallons of water wasted by households with leaky faucets.It may not break the bank, but over time it does add up. Many people can’t afford to just let that money go down the drain.
How Much Will It Cost If I Don't fix My Leaky Faucet
Depending on the size of the leak, an average family spends about $20 a month in unneeded water costs. Other leaks can cost $40 to over $110 a month.
If you have 1 leaky faucet and all your faucets are about the same age, this cost can double quickly. While you’re putting off the repair to one faucet another joins it and the costs can escalate quickly.
Can Water Leaks Cause Damage To My House?
We just discussed the financial loss for only losing water down the drain. What if the water leaks but doesn’t go down the drain? It will run down and find the lowest level to sit in. In most cases these spots are actually small openings into the room below. If it starts on the highest floor, it can do structural damage to your home on each floor of your home.
Where Else Can There Be Leaks?
Other areas to watch for are pipes, pipe joints, shutoff valves, washers, dishwashers, toilets, water heaters, under sinks, behind walls, and ceilings. You can also get a saturated yard which can actually cause slab leaks. It’s something you need to pay close attention to .
Should I Fix My Own Leaky Faucets ASAP!
Fortunately most leaks can be fixed by the homeowner who has basic skills with tools. Maybe you can fix a leaky faucet, but procrastination to do a repair is like “Dog Years”. You say you’ll get to it in a few weeks, then those weeks turn into months, then it is “Just the way it is”. Most leaks are not difficult. You can save hundreds of dollars just turning a wrench, pulling out a small faucet part and replacing it with the new one. Lowes has some excellent videos on fixing home plumbing problems. Or just call Handyman Mansfield and use our handyman services.
Do I Need A Plumber to Fix My Own Leaky Faucets?
It’s true that repairing or replacing a faucet is not rocket science. Sometimes it is very easy to fix a dripping faucet. Many times the homeowner can do this job themselves, if they have the right tools and experience. So are you up for the task of leaky faucet repair? If not then call a plumber.
Plumbing Tools
Though most people own or have access to basic tools, when it comes to plumbing, there are some unique tools that most people don’t have. Some faucets require a special tool. Most of the time, you have to go buy the “Special Tool” that you’re only going to use one or two times. The overall cost of the repair may warrent such a purchase.
You Need Plumbing Experience To Fix A Leaky Faucet
I knew a young guy who was proud of the fact that he purchased a home. An older man asked him what kind of tools he had purchased. The young man said “None.” The older man laughed and said “You don’t own a house, you just “got owned”, by contractors!” The more experience you gain with tools, the better you can answer the question “Can I fix my own leaky faucets myself?”
Several Types Of Faucets
There are many types of faucets. The fact is that a sink faucet won’t work for a tub or other application. So not all faucets work for every need.
Then there are several Types of faucets based on their inside mechanisms. You have Ball faucets, Cartridge faucets, Disc faucets, and the older inexpensive Compression washer faucets. There’s a bit to learn in order to repair or replace them yourself.
When Something Goes Wrong
Usually Your goal in doing it yourself is to save money in exchange for your time. Sometimes you buy your parts and extra tools and you are happy with yourself because you are going to do this type of thing yourself from now on. You need to understand what things could go wrong. You could run into pipes that don’t match your new faucet. You could break your aging shut off valve under the sink. If you research it you’ll see the many bad experiences of others. Not to say you shouldn’t improve your skills and save money but you need to do your homework and have a backup plan. Let Handyman Mansfield provide this service for you.
So Should I Fix My Own Leaky Faucets?
This depends on your tools, experience, and whether or not you do your homework before trying it. You need to research every step of the process before you attempt it on your own. If you’re not comfortable doing certain plumbing jobs, give us a call at
877-760-1614