Q&A for How to Fix a Leaky Faucet

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Question

Do I need to shut off the main water supply before I do this?

David Balkan
Professional Plumber & CEO of Balkan Sewer & Water Main
David Balkan is a Professional Plumber, CEO of Balkan Sewer and Water Main Service, and President of Balkan Sewer and Drain Cleaning. As a hands-on owner of these companies for over 40 years, David is knowledgeable about water service lines, sewers, and drain line issues. David is a Committee Chairman of the Master Plumbers Council and has sat on the Executive Committee of the Sub Surface Plumbers Association of New York for over 30 years. His knowledge and solution-oriented approach contributed to Balkan Sewer and Water Main Service being the largest and most trusted service in New York City and the recipient of the 2017 Angie’s List Super Service Award.

David Balkan

Professional Plumber & CEO of Balkan Sewer & Water Main

Expert Answer

No, every sink has its own shutoff valve that you can use. It should be under the sink. You just need to turn the water supply to the sink off.

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Question

The handle to turn off the hot water doesn't stop the flow. Is the handle defective?

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This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

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Staff Answer

It might be but it's extremely unlikely. Reach under the sink and feel around the underside of the handle for a nut. Tighten that nut by hand and your faucet should work.

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Question

My compression faucet handles are solid and there are no screws anywhere. What should I do?

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Staff Answer

See the seam where the handle meets the faucet fixture? Slide a flathead screwdriver in that seam and pry the handles up.

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Question

My leak is located at the shut-off valve for cold water underneath the sink. What sort of parts do I need to buy?

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This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

Before you buy anything, grab a wrench and tighten the nut right behind the valve. The plumber's tape on that nut's threading can degrade over time which can cause a leak. Luckily, turning that nut a few times should fix it. If the leak is coming from under the sink, try tightening the nut under the sink handle. If none of this works, just replace the supply line entirely.

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Question

How do I determine the cause of a leaky faucet?

Community Answer

If it is leaking from the tap, it is probably the seat washer. If it is leaking from the handle, it is probably the O-ring.

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Question

While my faucet has two handles, they do not have a top that I can remove (hot/cold). They have a very small hole on each side of the faucet, but I have no idea what tool to use. What kind of faucet is this?

Community Answer

From your description, it could be the compression faucet type and that "small hole" on either side of the two handles is indicative of where to begin to unscrew them.

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Question

What can I do if my water faucet outside for the garden drips?

Community Answer

Replace the O-ring inside of it, it's probably very old. If that doesn't work you can actually get a valve that goes over top of your outdoor faucet that is fail safe.

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Question

What if there are no turn off valves under sink?

Community Answer

Find the main valve of the water coming to your apartment or house an shut it off. You'll have no water in the whole residence for the duration of the repair.

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Question

The type I have in my bathroom has neither holes nor caps. What can I do?

Community Answer

I have the same issue, no holes or side screws, but the handles are loose. I asked my hardware guy, he says these are throw away types that cannot be worked on (they're not made to come apart). I am going to replace the faucet.

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Question

I removed the screw on a compression faucet handle, but the handle still doesn't come off. What is holding it on, and how do I get it off?

Community Answer

If you have an older faucet and it has calcium building up, that has the potential to cement the handle to the fixture. To deal with this, use Lime Away or CLR on the area to help dissolve the calcium.

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Question

I put in a new faucet. It worked for a day, but now no water comes out of either the hot or cold. The water is turned on underneath the sink. What else can I check?

Community Answer

Unscrew the little screen where the water comes out of the faucet. It may be plugged with debris that was dislodged when you were working on the pipes.

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Question

Can I fix the leak without turning the water off if I have the first type of shower in the article?

Community Answer

Always turn the water off. It's easier than mopping up 30 gallons of water if you do something wrong.

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Question

The stem won't come out. How can I get it out?

Community Answer

You can try putting the handle back on, tighten the set screw and pull up on it; or use lubricating oil to soften up rust buildup between stem and stem housing and then pull it up. You may have to get aggressive with channel locks and pull the stem out; however, that may damage the handle stem. Lastly, before you put a new stem in, wipe inside the stem valve to remove any rust or slime, then open the shut off valve to allow water to just bubble over the top for 10 seconds. This removes debris that will get up inside your faucet line and seriously reduce your water flow.

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Question

I have a pinhole leak on the top of the spigot on my kitchen faucet. How do I repair it?

Community Answer

You might try JB Weld and pack the hole using a Q tip, but it could be unsightly. Petroleum based fluids will clean residue off after it has set for 10 minutes. Other than that, you could just replace the faucet as the hole will most likely get bigger.

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Question

What should I do if the screw is stripped?

Community Answer

If the screw is stripped, then that means that it can no longer be used. Buy a new screw that fits the same dimensions of the old screw at your nearest hardware store.

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Question

For a leaky faucet, can I unscrew the tip that the water comes out of into the sink and replace a washer there?

Community Answer

Suppose that the washer is washed into the drain? It is best not to put unscrewed parts in the sink but on top of the counter and where they are sure to be safe.

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Question

If I shut off the main water supply to repair a faucet, do I need to turn off the supply to the water heater as well?

Community Answer

Not as long as you are not running any hot water.

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Question

I have two handles on the faucet. How do I take them off?

Community Answer

Pop off the caps marked hot and cold and there will be a screw under them. Remove the screw and lift the handle off.

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Question

What should I do if the under-sink valves do not turn off the water so that I can fix a leaky faucet?

Community Answer

Turn off the main water source. It's usually found near the water heater. Be advised you won't be able to use your other water appliances until you finish fixing the faucet.

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Question

I have a Master Plumber brand sink faucet that leaks from the bottom of the base. How can I fix this?

Community Answer

Add putty, or sealent. Maybe it needs to be tightened, or possibly a part needs to be replaced.

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Question

What do I do if water is still running through the water line after I tightened the valve as tightly as possible?

Community Answer

Shut the water off further upstream and replace the valve. You may have to shut the water off at the street.

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Question

It is really hard to reach the knobs that turn off the sink. Do I have to turn the water off to fix this for a compression sink?

Community Answer

No, it is not difficult and, yes, always cut off the water.

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