Plumbing is a rewarding career for people who enjoy working with their hands, providing essential services to the community, and solving problems. Plumbers install and repair systems that are used for water distribution, hot-water production, sewage disposal and drainage in homes and businesses.
A high school diploma is typically the minimum requirement to start a career as a plumber. Some people choose to attend a vocational or trade school to learn the skills necessary for the job. Visit https://myjoeplumber.com to learn more.
The faucet handle is the piece of metal or plastic that you turn to open and close the spout. It’s also the component that connects to the spout and valve assembly. In French, the spout and valve assembly is called un robinet (or mitigeur).
Faucet handles come in many styles, materials, and finishes to suit your decor preferences. They’re also available in single- and double-handle models to fit most sinks. To make your choice, consider the size of your sink and the space that you have to work with. Then select a handle that fits your hand comfortably and matches the rest of your fixtures.
A leaking faucet can lead to water wastage and damage your home’s interior. It’s important to fix the leak as soon as possible. This is easy to do with a few basic tools and parts.
Before starting, shut off the water supply to the dripping faucet by closing the valves under the sink. Then, remove the handle by prying off the decorative cap and unscrewing it. Once the handle is removed, you can access the inner components. Depending on the type of faucet, this may involve removing the cap and collar to expose the ball or cartridge, or unscrewing and removing the disk cylinder to inspect the O-rings, seals, and washers.
Once the inner parts are exposed, you can replace the damaged ones. First, make sure you purchase replacement cartridges that match the original model and brand of your faucet. Bring the old cartridge with you to the hardware store to ensure a perfect fit. Also, get some plumber’s grease to lubricate the new cartridge and other parts before installing them.
Leaks can occur in the faucet handle, spout, or stem. Check each of these components regularly for signs of wear and tear or corrosion. Replace them as necessary to prevent a costly repair bill or worse, a flooded home.
To avoid future problems, tighten the set screw whenever the faucet handle feels loose. This will slow the process of stripping the screw threads and reduce the number of times that you’ll need to replace it.
Faucet Stem
The stem in a faucet is a cylinder-shaped tube that extends through the handle escutcheon (the decorative cap on the spout or tub spigot). When you turn the handle, water passes down the neoprene seals on the cylinder and up the cartridge to open and shut the valve. If the spout or tub spigot leaks, the cartridge or seat may need replacing.
Before you begin a repair, shut off the water supply for the faucet. Look under the sink to find the shutoff valve, usually a small, football-shaped handle or lever. Close the valve by turning it clockwise. Identify the type of faucet by the way it works – it is important to know whether you have a compression or non-rising stem. Compression stems have a hex-head screw at the top of the cylinder and compress when they move up, closing the valve. Non-rising stems have a round nut at the bottom of the cylinder which grips on the cartridge to open and close the valve.
Most of the time, when a faucet is leaking at the spout, the problem is the valve stem. First, check to see if the valve stem is leaking around its threads (see Fig. 1). If it is, apply penetrant oil to the end of the stem penetration and to the threads at the bottom of the packing nut and leave it for an hour. This will often loosen the nut enough to remove the stem.
If the hex head of the valve stem assembly is still stuck in the spout, use a pocketknife to pry off the index cover at the top of the handle and reveal the hex-head screw underneath. Remove the handle and set it aside, along with the screw. With pliers, grip the hex-head of the valve stem assembly and unscrew counterclockwise.
Once the stem is out, replace the washer and nut. If the hex nut is too tight, you can break it off by putting the end of the hex key inside it and turning.
Some old faucets used self-forming packing, which you can buy in the plumbing aisle. For newer faucets, you can buy replacement O-rings in a wide variety of sizes. If you are replacing a washer, choose one that is swiveling instead of fixed. The swiveling washer closes with a straight-down action and will outlast fixed washers, which rub against the valve seat to open and close.
Faucet Seat
A faucet seat is a piece that sits inside the faucet body and acts as a seal for the stem. The valve stem has a ridge that goes over the seat, and the washer presses against it to create a tight seal. Over time, this friction can wear down the brass seat, causing a leak. Replacing the valve seat can fix the problem and prevent future leaks.
The first step in replacing the valve seat is determining whether it’s removable. Look for an area that looks like a hexagonal hole or has a slot that accepts a screwdriver. Once you have found the valve seat, turn off the water supply and remove the handle to access the valve body. Then, remove the stem from the valve, and place it, O-rings, and screws aside. Next, if you can remove the valve seat, locate a replacement. You can either resurface the old one by sanding or grinding, or replace it with an entirely new seat.
If you’re not a professional plumber, replacing the valve seat can be a tricky project. A local plumber may be able to help you out if the job is beyond your skillset.
A good quality faucet valve seat is an important part of any household plumbing system. It should provide a firm, snug fit for the valve stem so it doesn’t leak or wear out. If the seat is faulty, it can lead to leaks that require frequent repairs or even complete replacement of the faucet.
If you’re in the market for a new faucet seat, try Danco’s Low Lead Faucet Valve Seat. This high-quality replacement seat will provide a strong, durable seal that stops leaks and saves water and energy. It’s available in multiple sizes to fit most faucets, and it comes with a replacement washer for added security. This makes it a great choice for plumbers and DIYers alike. The valve seat is available in both round and hexagonal styles to suit different faucets. It also has a smooth finish for an attractive appearance. The kit includes a valve seat wrench to make installation easy, and it comes in a convenient re-closable box.
Faucet O-Ring
What looks like a fancy hose under your sink is actually quite an array of parts working together to give you the water pressure and quality you desire. One of those parts, the o-ring, is often overlooked until it starts leaking. This little rubber ring wraps around various areas of your faucet and creates a seal to prevent water from flowing where it shouldn’t. While there are many reasons for a leaky faucet, replacing an old or worn out o-ring is one of the easiest and least expensive fixes.
To start, shut off the water supply to your faucet and drain the excess water in the sink or tub. Next, remove the faucet handle. Most models feature a screw behind the plug button or handle cap (see the Faucet Parts Breakdown to help locate this screw). Once the screw is removed, use a small slotted screwdriver to pry off the decorative cover and expose the hex head screw that secures the handle to the faucet stem. Remove the handle and note the orientation of the screw (you may need to reuse this screw when installing the replacement cartridge).
Next, remove the spout collar nut from the valve body using a spanner wrench or adjustable wrench. Remove the spout assembly from the valve body and remove the spout O-rings (you may need to cut some of the older O-rings with a utility knife) and install new ones. Make sure the o-rings you use are the same size as the originals and be sure to clean them (use a 50/50 mixture of vinegar and water) before installing them. Also, be sure to lubricate them with nontoxic plumber’s grease before reassembling.
The cartridge type of faucet is more complicated than the other two types. With these, the problem is usually either a cracked disc inside the cartridge or the rubber washers that seal it. While you can replace the cartridge, it’s often more economical to simply reassemble the whole faucet and repair or replace the O-rings and neoprene seal. Once the O-rings and seals are repaired, the faucet should leak no more.