Eric Delmar/istockphoto
DCL
You wouldn't let money just leak out of your pockets. Why would you let water drip out of your faucets? Water costs money, therefore, it can be said that H2O = $. And if you have a leaky faucet, it means that you would let money go to waste. Water is a dreadfully precious resource and so is cash. Why would you waste either of them? Want to fix the leak in your cash/water flow? Here's how.
- Screwdriver
- A New Washer
- Turn off the water. Look underneath your sink. There will be a nest of pipes under there. Find the switches or levers on those pipes and turn the water off. NOTE: Righty-tighty, lefty-loosey.
- Turn on the faucet for a spell. With the water off, turn on your faucet and let any trapped water drain.
- Plug up the drain. You don't want a washer or your wedding ring falling down into the drain while you're working. That's very much like what happens in situational comedies.
- Use the screwdriver to remove the faucet handle. Pry off any fanciful caps or coverings with a flathead screwdriver. Unscrew the handle. Lift the handle out of its place.
- Replace the washer. Nine times out of ten, a leaky compression faucet is caused by a bum washer. Remove the old washer and put a new one on. You may have to take the old washer to the hardware store to find a exact-sized replacement.
- Put the handle back on. Replace the handle and turn on the water. It shouldn't leak now. Call a licensed plumber if it still leaks.
