« Baker Brothers Blog

Posted on: December 1, 2014
By: Baker Brothers
Posted in: Preventive Maintenance, Kitchen Remodeling, Plumbing

Drip. Drip. Drip. Nothing is quite a bother like a leaky faucet. If you have waited too long and are already tortured out of your mind, call Baker Brothers to repair your faucet immediately. If this is a recent issue and you feel like putting on your handyman hat, then follow the steps below.

1. Examine the faucet closely to determine where the leak is coming from. Leaks around the base require a different repair method than a drip from the end of the spout.
   
2. Turn off water supply to the faucet. Shutoff valves are located under most sinks. If you cannot locate a shutoff valve, simply close the main water valve to your entire home. Check to make sure the water has been shutoff before moving on to the next steps.
3. Cover the drain hole with a strainer basket or dishcloth to avoid losing small parts.
4. Remove parts of the faucet and set aside in the order in which they are removed. When all parts have been removed, check the interior of the valve for bits of deteriorated parts or mineral deposits. Use a cloth to clean the interior. Loosen mineral deposits by soaking parts in vinegar.
5. Before replacing worn parts and reassembling your faucet, open the water shutoff valve slightly to flush out extra debris loosened during inspection. Take worn parts to your local hardware store for easy replacement.
6. Reassemble your faucet in the same order, with replaced parts. Open the faucet to the middle position and gradually open shutoff valve to allow water flow. Leave the faucet open until water flows freely and all air is out of the pipes.

If you are still experiencing a leaky faucet after attempting the steps above with appropriate replacement parts, don’t hesitate to call Baker Brothers for expert help. Like all fixtures in your home, the kitchen sink needs care, cleaning, and sometimes replacement. It’s important to respond to minor leaks and malfunctions as soon as possible to ensure longevity of your home fixtures.