3 common faucet repair fixes

The faucet in your kitchen, bathroom or tub may leak from time to time. It may even spray water in a wayward direction or become loud and squeaky. Faucets generally have a lifespan of 10 years or more so they probably don’t need to be replaced, but little problems like this are common and can be addressed and fixed with very little experience. A faucet repair doesn’t take much, in fact here are three common faucet fixes that could be accomplished in a few hours or less.

A squeaky, screeching or clanking faucet

In the event that you start to hear strange sounds coming from your faucet, you most likely need to do one of the following: replace the rubber washer, replace a cracked part of the hardware within the assembly or repair the threads of the faucet. All of these projects require a disassembly of the faucet and then a reassembly.

Squirting or dripping faucet

A dripping or squirting faucet is likely caused by the diverter, a small valve located in the stem of the faucet. You will need to disassemble the handle and pop out the diverter with a screwdriver. Then carefully take the diverter and soak it in a solution of equal parts white vinegar and boiling hot water. Reassemble with the clean diverter in place and it should be as good as new.

A faucet with an Inconsistent flow

A clogged aerator, the screw on screen that cover the mouth of the faucet, is most likely to blame when you witness an inconsistent flow coming from your faucet. Remove the aerator and flush and deposits or buildup from it and then reattach it. If the aerator is blocked completely or crusted over, you may consider replacing it. A new one is inexpensive and can be found at your local hardware store.