Is my leaky faucet fixable?

Submitted by FromThatOtherPlace t3_116nii6 in DIY

The handle needs to be bent and positioned in a specific angle for the faucet to 100% stop leaking.

It's quite a nuissance and I'd love to try and fix it. However I have no handyman or DIY skills.

Would this be fixable for someone like me? or do I definetly need to replace the entire thing and hire a plumber?

Thanks!

https://preview.redd.it/096ugr08i7ja1.png?width=2448&format=png&auto=webp&v=enabled&s=29825efdfa1fbe5e966b88b312d9ed9083d396f7

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Convergecult15 t1_j97eutp wrote

Replace the entire thing, they’re cheap enough that it’s not worth trying the repair. It’s also not a hard thing to replace so I don’t think you’d need to hire a plumber if you’re comfortable using a crescent wrench. You can easily find a guide on YouTube, the hardest part will be emptying out the cabinet beneath to get access,

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Synaps4 t1_j97fo3p wrote

If you take it apart (and you probably can) you will probably find one of two things.

  1. It has a plastic interior part that is rubbed down so it doesn't work like it should, and you can't replace that part so you'll have to buy a new one.

  2. You have hard water, lime scale buildup may be blocking part of the mechanism. If this is the case you could soak the entire thing in a solution to remove the lime scale.

Both options will usually take up enough time that working an extra few hours at work (if you have that option) and then replacing the faucet is cheaper.

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continue_improve t1_j97gk3i wrote

Are you talking about leaking from the faucet or from the handle? If it's from the faucet, it might be a spring inside the valve body that helps seal the water that is no good. You can just take apart the handle and replace the spring and seal. BTW, alot of these faucets are lifetime warranties. You can call the manufacturer and they will send you parts for free. You don't need a receipt for the faucet.

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MysteryMan8472 t1_j987ksk wrote

If you search for the faucet by brand and model you are very likely to find a YouTube video showing step by step how to take the handle off and replace the rubber o-rings or seals underneath that are causing the leak. I personally wouldn’t replace the whole thing.

As an aside, once you get it fixed, a gentle hand goes a long way towards preserving the life of those seals. When you turn the faucet off, just pull the handle gently far enough to stop the water, don’t slam it down hard against the stop. That tends to abuse the seals and then once they start leaking a little you naturally try to just close it a little harder to make it stop and that starts a spiral effect where the seal just gets more and more cut up or squished.

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No_Difference_4079 t1_j98l6p3 wrote

Other poster is right that you would save time just working 2-3 overtime hours but I would very much encourage you to try fixing it. As long as shut-off valves are easily accessible and everything else works, it will probably take a small Allen wrench(hex) a Phillips and/or flathead screwdriver, and a common pair of pliers, though adjustable pliers would be better.

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53romeege t1_j98tir4 wrote

you need certain tools, and if you're not handy at all, it could be a real pain

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imnotsoho t1_j999n1x wrote

You know the best way to get DIY skills? Yeah, that's right, DIY. Make sure you can turn the water off under the sink, remove it and take it to a hardware store to find the right fit. You may need a "basin wrench" but other than that won't need any specialty tools.

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NerdEmoji t1_j99bu2p wrote

If you don't want to fix it, this is more handyman territory than plumber territory. Shouldn't be that expensive. However, your best bet is to at least attempt it. Worse case scenario, you can't fix it and have to buy a new faucet.

Usually when I'm attempting a DIY, I figure out make and model then do a search for it, like 'x faucet leaking at handle' then see what comes up on YouTube. Lots of good info on the major brands out there. Also if this is a higher end faucet, they are built to be repairable. The cheap $40 ones you get at the big box stores you can easily replace the gasket if it doesn't stop dripping when you turn it off, but something like the handle leaking might be a toss it and replace scenario.

I learned to replace my first washer on a faucet in my kitchen when my husband was too busy and my landlord's handyman kept blowing me off. The bedroom was off the kitchen so it was making me nuts. Took me about five minutes once I found a YouTube, watched the video, found the washers at the hardware store and a screwdriver to remove the screw. You can probably do this if you have any amount of patience. Oh and the will to clean the cabinet out, but you'd have to do that for a handyman anyway. Good luck!

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