How To Fix or Repair A Leaky Shower Faucet? When you need to fix that leaky shower faucet, you need to Disassembly the shower faucet into shower heads, washers, diverter valves… And this isn’t exactly like taking a walk in the park …
When it comes to home design and remodeling, Sanliv is a good brand while selecting faucets and fixtures for installation in the bathrooms and kitchens. Whether a handheld shower faucet crafted to perfection in brushed nickel, a supremely chic two handle bronze outdoor shower faucet or a brass single hand shower faucet that adds a touch of class to your bathtub, each piece seems to have been dipped in an infinite ocean of style and elegance.
But all the elitist trappings of unparalleled sophistication get slightly watered down when you’re faced with what many regard as the harbinger of doom and gloom, a leaking faucet. A sense of deflation grips all of us at the very thought of how to fix this nuisance. After all, let’s face it; the repair or replacement of a dysfunctional faucet is not a plumbing task that elicits the most piquant of reactions from homeowners.
Many a time when you need to fix that leaky shower faucet, you need to delve into how how shower heads, washers, diverter valves – in essence all the parts that go into making shower faucet assemblies – work. And this isn’t exactly like taking a walk in the park …
No matter what kind of shower faucet you have in your bathroom – copper, chrome, brushed nickel, or the best Roman tub white shower faucet money can buy, chances are at some point of time you would have to either repair it or replace it. You would need to understand at least a bit about how faucets work unless you would rather get a new one instead.
Certainly Not That Cerebral
There are no two ways about the fact that a leaky faucet results in a tremendous drain. And so one does not require great powers of imagination to understand that it must be fixed, without any further dithering.
But ask all those homeowners that did suss out names of experienced plumbers from comprehensive yellow pages, and the picture is anything but encouraging. For, unbeknownst to most people, their services can actually leave a gaping hole in your wallet.
So where does the solution lie? I’m sure the thought of fixing this universal problem yourself has never crossed your mind. Well, the good news is that with a few plumbing tools, rudimentary skills and sound advice, you can actually leave all those impeccably trained professionals pretty high and dry.
Also, there are dozens of websites dripping with advice on repair procedures created by well-heeled faucet manufacturers that more than put an end to your consternation.
They’ll Keep You Afloat
In this battle against the recalcitrant faucet, you’re ably assisted by a battery of helpers or tools. They include:
Adjustable wrench and pliers
A set of socket wrenches
A flathead screwdriver and hammer
An assortment of ‘O’ rings and washers
Teflon tape
Other tools like a small chisel, penknife and a flashlight
Get To The Bottom Of It
With plumbing tools and hard-to-dampen spirits in place, it’s now time to address this contentious issue with gusto. Here’s how:
First, ascertain the temperature of the water leaking from the faucet, before turning off the water at the water heater. Depending on whether the water is hot or cold, remove the valve body assembly accordingly.
Cut-off the water supply completely, either in the bathroom or in the basement.
Open the faucet and allow all the remaining water to drain completely.
It’s now time to target the faucet handle. Turning clockwise, take off the faucet handle screw. Locating this screw may call for some effort, as sometimes it can be traced to underneath the snap-on cover. This cover comes off with a little help from a knife or screwdriver.
Using the same tool, remove the faucet handle. If it’s a little intractable to deal with, use a few drops of penetrating oil. The handle of a hammer can be brought to use to separate the handle and the stem of the faucet.
It’s now time to inspect the insides of the shower head. If the rubber gasket leaves a black residue, the message is clear- waste no time in replacing it. There must be no discrepancy as far as the size of this part is concerned.
Place the ring flat inside the shower head assembly. Remember; spare no effort in putting it in its place!
Lime deposits have no place in and around the handle, so they must be treated with removal products.
Replace the handle without exerting too much pressure. Tighten only till it stops turning with a normal amount of pressure. The shower head must also be slowly threaded into place.
In case, the leak exists in the joint between the pipe and the head, then Teflon tape wrapped around the threads in the same direction is your best bet. About two wraps tightly wound are considered good enough. Make sure you are able to see the ridges of the threads, but they should not cut through the tape.
Delirious With Anticipation?
It’s now time to put your efforts to the ultimate test. Turn the faucet on, and in case there are no drips or leaks, you can certainly pat yourself on the back. But if, to your utter horror, the trickle continues unabated, it doesn’t mean you have to hit the panic button just yet. Just unscrew the faucet head and tighten the handle a wee bit more. And if there’s still no respite, the yellow pages are your only succor.
No More Sleepless Nights
It’s just not the shower faucet, but even a leaking kitchen faucet has the inveterate tendency to give homeowners sleepless nights. But buoyed by the sparkling results in the bathroom, it just takes functional tools like an adjustable wrench and screwdriver and a nuanced understanding of the faucet design and parts like washers, seals and ‘O’ rings to ensure that the leaks are history.
As for me, I managed to seal the fate of the leaky faucet, without running out of steam. Wish the Italians had displayed the same kind of verve and tenacity.
