Quick Fixes for Faucet Leaks: What to Do When Your Faucet Drips

The faucet is one of the most frequently used fixtures in the home. Over time, it may develop problems such as dripping or leaking. What should you do if the faucet base is leaking?

DIY Guide: Fixing a Water Leak at the Base of Your Faucet

1. If you notice that the base of the faucet is leaking, the first thing to do is turn off the water valve in your home. Next, unscrew the small screw at the top of the faucet handle and remove the handle. You may find a screw hidden under the knob or below the knob, so check there first. After removing the knob, loosen and take out the valve core inside.

2. The issue may be due to the valve core being loose or damaged. You can simply replace it with a new valve core. After that, reassemble the handle and knob. Turn on the water valve and check whether the leaking problem persists. It is also possible that the gasket inside is causing the issue, in which case you should replace the gasket.

3. Once you complete the sealing work, the leaking problem should not occur again. If you still can't resolve the issue, you may consider replacing the entire faucet.

Dealing with ongoing leaks in cold and hot faucets:

1. If the temperatures have recently dropped, the faucet may have cracked due to freezing, and some low-quality faucets may leak when temperatures rise again. First, analyze the structure of the hot and cold faucet, which includes a handle. If water is leaking around the faucet, this indicates a problem.

2. Confirm whether the nut may be loose. Prepare a screwdriver and an adjustable wrench, then remove the handle to inspect all the components of the faucet. Use the wrench to remove the nut and the screws holding the gasket, checking whether any screws or the valve core are damaged. If any are damaged, you'll need to replace them with new parts. Make sure to get a gasket of the same model, and check that the old gasket is flat.

3. Next, fix the new gasket onto the valve core, reassemble all the components, and turn on the water valve to check if there are still any leaking issues.

In summary, if there is a leak at the base of the faucet in your home, it is usually due to a damaged valve core. Simply replacing the valve core or replacing the entire faucet typically resolves the problem, so it's not a major hassle.