Leaky Faucet Repair: 10 Tips to Stop Drips

Leaky faucet repair on your own can save money. Washer type (compression) and washer-less are two basic kinds of faucets. Some tips to stop drips are:

1. Faulty washers are often the culprit. Washers may be replaced but still not fit properly to stop the drip. The best preventive solution is to buy a washer-less faucet.
2. Close the faucet tighter to stop the leak temporarily until you are ready to fix it.
3. You can stop the sound of dripping water by tying a long string around the end of the faucet. The water will drip on the string and run down silently.
4. For a washer type faucet, examine the stem. If the threads are badly corroded replace it. If it’s dirty then clean it.
5. Look at the washer, if it is flat or has a groove worn in it, replace it.
6. Replace the brass screw if it’s damaged.
7. Any faucet that requires a frequent washer replacement has a damaged washer seat. Either reface the seat with a seat dressing tool or replace it.
8. Install the correct type of washer. Preferably use a swiveling washer.
9. Put silicon grease or petroleum jelly on the threads of the stem to lubricate faucet action.
10. If the leak is around the stem and not the spigot, install new packing or O-rings.