How to Stop a Leaking Fixture

Plumbing fixtures usually leak for a couple of reasons. Most often a gasket has worn from water corroding the rubber or plastic material. As a fixture, like a faucet, is used, water pouring through it eventually will break down the plastic or rubber, causing leakage from the faucet joints. This is a simple fix and can be done in a matter of minutes.

Towel
Wrench
Needle-nose pliers
Twisted-in wire brush
Gasket

Instructions

- 1
  Shut the water supply off to the sink where the fixture or faucet is attached. If no shut-off valve is installed, turn off the main water supply to the house.
- 2
  Turn the faucet to its most open position to drain any excess water inside. Then place a towel under the sink to catch any water that may drip onto the floor.
- 3
  Unfasten the hot and cold water handles by loosening the retaining screws with a screwdriver and/or unfastening the retaining ring or cartridge with a wrench. This will free the faucet from its mounting position on the sink.
- 4
  Gently twist the faucet stem with a wrench or pry up with a screwdriver. This is where the water pours out when the faucet is turned to the "On" position.
- 5
  Remove the old gasket from the fixture, it will be a circular piece of rubber or plastic. Take the old gasket to a plumbing supply, hardware or home improvement store. Purchase a gasket of the same thickness and diameter.
- 6
  Insert the new gasket into the fixture and replace the end of the faucet. Hand tighten it first, then tighten down with a wrench thereafter. Replace the handles in the reverse order of their dissassembly.
- 7
  Turn the water supply back on and observe the fixture to ensure it does not continue to leak.

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