We’ve all been there, trying to fall asleep and the only thing we can focus on is that dreaded sound: drip, drip ,drip. So you get up and you think I just have to turn the handle tighter to make the drip stop, yea if it were only that easy!

But you don’t need to call a plumber and spend money on a service call with a few easy steps you can become your own “master plumber”.

The first thing you need to do is turn off the water supply to the sink, most of the time the valve is located right underneath, if not you need to follow the plumbing line to the nearest shut off valve. If the valve resists being turned, put a drop or two of oil right where the stem disappears into the large nut. Then use a wrench to loosen the nut one complete turn, and tighten it back up by hand. Wait for a couple of minutes and then you should be able to turn the valve off.

The second thing to do is remove the stem from the top of the fixture, then there will be nut that needs to be turned counterclockwise to be taken off. Grasp the handle and turn it counterclockwise, as if you were turning on the water. The whole thing will lift out in your hand. If you have a ball-type fixture, there will be a setscrew on the lower surface of the handle itself, remove the screw. There will be a plastic ring or cap just unscrew and remove then pull out the ball assembly.

Your almost finished, just need to replace the washer, which should still be attached the ball assembly you just pulled out, there’s a screw holding it on so remove that, replace it with the new washer, tighten the screw back on, be sure not to go to tight where the washer starts to become damaged. Reinsert the stem assembly, and twist it firmly clockwise (don’t over tighten it). Tighten the large nut back into place. Turn the water valve back on and that’s it! If it still leaks it may mean you have to replace the valve seat or replace the entire fixture. You will need to purchase a repair kit that you can find at your local plumbing supply or hardware store.

Use the following steps to replace the ball type fixture: Using the end of the screwdriver, lift out the rubber seats and springs. Replace them with the new ones in the kit. Tug the spout off the base by turning it from side to side and lifting up. Then use the screwdriver to leverage the old O-rings off the base. If they need to be cut off, make sure that you clean off any remaining pieces. Roll the new O-rings over the base to replace them. Re-seat the faucet by turning it from side to side while pushing down. Place the ball assembly back in there, and screw the rounded, knurled cap back on. Before retightening the adjusting ring with the special tool, turn the water back on. Then tighten the ring until no water leaks, but don’t over tighten it. Replace the handle, and tighten the setscrew. You should be all set! It’s a good idea before starting this job to go to your local plumbing supply with the make of your faucet just to make sure that all the necessary parts are available.

Drip, drip, drip. There are many inconveniences to be reckoned with when you have a leaky faucet in your home. First of all, the noise can range from a minor tapping in the background to a major barrier to sleep at night. You stand to lose some money in terms of energy costs, as well, if the water you are losing is hot. If you live in an area where you pay for water usage, you could end up with a hefty bill simply due to a leaky faucet- your leak may lose you gallons of water every day, in the home repair equivalent of death by a thousand cuts.

There are several ways to remedy your situation when you encounter a leaky faucet, some of them band-aid solutions and some of them more permanent. One temporary solution is to purchase a faucet washer- a small piece of metal that can screw on to the opening of your faucet to delay the drip action. The water is still leaking, but the amount being lost is what is being dammed. This strategy does not work for very long, however, and can even be detrimental in that it might make you forget that you actually have to repair that leak sometime.

The more permanent solution. Of course, is to find the source of the drip and repair it. This is a relatively simple procedure that most people will be able to accomplish on their own; if you use a plumber for it you will be spending some big bucks that you won’t really have to.

Writing and reading about fixing your leaky faucet is actually a more involved process than the actual doing, for the simple reason that before you can fix the problem you must determine what type of faucet you have. This will help determine the problem and the procedure need to fix it.

There are four basic types of faucets- ball type, disc type, cartridge type, and compression type.

Compression type faucets are the oldest and most common types of faucet, and can be identified in two steps. The first step is visual- if your faucet has separate handles for the hot and cold water, it is either a cartridge or compression faucet. You can determine which your faucet is either by feel or by taking the mechanism apart and again examining it visually. Compression faucet handles are meant to screw down and up in order to shut off or release the water flow- you have to add pressure in order to turn the tap off the whole way. A cartridge faucet does not require this added pressure, it simply swings easily shut and the water flow is cut off.

If you choose to make sure about your faucet type by taking the mechanism apart, first turn off your water. Remove the handle and examine the casing inside the faucet. Compression faucets will have a shaft leading down into the body of the faucet. Cartridge models will have the insides encased in plastic.

The cartridge type of faucet is washerless, as are the other two types, ball and disc. Ball types are operated by a single handle that swings back and forth between the hot and cold by a ball mechanism at the base of the faucet. Disc types have a single handle that extends outward towards the faucet and moves up and down to turn the water on and off, with a smooth horizontal pattern to adjust the levels of hot and cold water.

Once you have determined what kind of faucet you have, you will need to follow the correct procedures for repairing the drip according to the type of faucet you have identified.

The kitchen is the heart of many homes. This is the room where the family prepares and shares meals together. Because so much time is spent here, the fixtures and accessories need to be functional and fit with the style of the room. Kitchen faucets in the sink and kitchen islands are made with style in mind. With so many choices, you are sure to find the right fit for your home. Most people match the fixtures to style of kitchen cabinets.

Styles of Kitchen Faucets

The sink faucet use to be merely functional; the purpose was to deliver water to sinks for cooking or cleaning. Nobody really thought about what it looked like or if it matched the décor in the room. Those days are over. Kitchen fixtures are now available in a range of finishes and styles to match every home.

Some of the available finishes include:

+ Brass (natural is more popular than polished)

+ Weathered brass

+ Nickel

+ Bronze

+ Antique copper

+ Brushed nickel

+ Stainless steel

+ Porcelain

+ Chrome

+ Black

The brushed and weathered look is more popular than the shiny, polished finishes. The polished chrome faucet is most often used in contemporary style kitchens now. Elaborate Victorian designs are available for more formal looking kitchens. Their use as a design feature has resulted in fixtures being one of the most popular upgrades for people purchasing a new home.

If your home has boring fixtures that seem out of date or don’t match your home, replacing them is easy and inexpensive. Just make it part of a small home improvement and decoration project. The price for replacements varies and the finish plays a role in the price. Chrome is the least expensive and most durable material used. Other materials can be quite a bit more expensive and require extra care. Visit your local plumbing or home improvement store to see the various styles available. A plumber can do the job for you in about fifteen minutes.

Installation Procedures

The new faucets are easier to install than older models. Most manufacturers include all connections and fittings needed to install the unit yourself. Complete installation instructions are included with the faucet. Look for complete kits that come with the flexible hoses needed to attach to your water supply. If these aren’t included, you will need to purchase them separately. Don’t be alarmed if you notice particles in the water when you finish installation. This is just particles trapped in the fixture from manufacturing and installation. They will rinse clear if you let the water run for a few minutes.

Kitchen Faucets: Repair and Maintenance

Repairing and maintenance is easier than ever before and can be done by a handy homeowner. Rubber rings can be easily replaced at home when needed. Before working on the sink, turn off the water and cover the drains. Properly cleaning and maintaining your faucet will extend the life and keep it in good working order.

Check the manufacturer’s directions for cleaning the finish. Most can be cleaned with mild soap and water or window cleaner. Don’t use harsh cleaning products, which can damage the finish. Polish matte finishes with a furniture polishes. Check the label to be sure the product you use is safe for the material of your fixtures.

Shower and Bathroom Fixtures

The combination of style and function found in kitchen fixtures has extended into the bathroom as well. There is a wide variety of choices available in shower faucets. You can choose the standard wall mount faucet or go for a removable head. Many can be adjusted to regulate the water flow according to your preference.

There are two basic choices in handles: pull out and individual knobs. Some people find one handle to be more convenient and easy to use. Two handles are more stylish and a variety of styles are available in the handles. You should choose according to the style of your sink or bathtub. Faucets can be matched for the tub and sink, if you choose.