How to Fix Common Plumbing Problem
                     HOW TO FIX 
COMMON 
PLUMBING 
PROBLEM 
 Homemakerchic.com
Learn how to fi x some common plumbing 
problems yourself.  This guide wi l l  teach 
you how to handle the plumbing problems 
you wi l l  most l ikely encounter in your 
home.
FAUCET  PROBLEMS
First ly,  turn off  the water running into the faucet.  There 
should be a shutoff  valve on the pipes next to or under the 
sink.  Turn on the faucet so the water left  in the pipes drains 
out.  
Next,  cover the bottom of the sink with a towel so you don’t  
lose parts down the drain. I t  is  a major hassle to get them 
back out.  
COMPRESSION FAUCETS
Compression faucets have two handles,  one for hot water 
and one for cold water.  When you turn the water off , the 
handles move smoothly and consistently.  There may be 
decorat ive caps on top of  the handles.  Pry them off  with a 
screwdriver and take out the screw underneath.  Below the 
handles is an O-r ing support ing a stem, si tt ing on a washer.
CARTRIDGE 
FAUCETS
 To fi x a leaking cartr idge faucet,  unscrew the handle 
remove the retaining cl ip using pl iers.  Remove the cartr idge 
and the O-r ings,  which are probably the source of  the 
problem. Take them to the hardware store to get 
replacements. Coat the new ones in grease before 
reassembling the faucet.
BALL  FAUCETS
 Unscrew the handle and pry off  the cap with pl iers,  then 
use them to l i ft  the col lar off  of  the bearing.  Use the cam 
tool that comes with the replacement kit  to remove the cam. 
Instruct ions for i ts use should come with the kit .  Then 
remove the bal l  bear ing and the washer.  Take out the inlet 
spr ings and seals with needle-nosed pl iers.  Apply a layer of  
grease to the new O-r ings that came with the kit .  
Reassemble the faucet with the new parts from the kit .
DISK FAUCETS
Unscrew the handle,  and remove the metal part s ituated 
beneath i t .  Unscrew the cyl inder and remove it  and the seal.  
Take the cyl inder and seal to the hardware store to buy 
replacements and reassemble the faucet.
INFORMATIO
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