There is nothing more annoying in a home than a leaky faucet. It drips all night, creating a noise that although small ends up driving everyone nuts. If it is dripping, odds are it is leaking a lot when you actually go to use it, making a mess. It's also a big waste of water, and in this day of environmental awareness no one wants to send gallons and gallons of water uselessly down the drain. The good thing about a leaky faucet is that there is no reason to pass up on your dream home for sale because of one; they are a relatively easy fix.
That's right, repairing a faucet that leaks is one of the easiest home projects that a person can do, without calling a professional. If you bought a home for sale realizing you had faucet problems, then you don't need to worry because we are going to talk you through the process of fixing that leaky faucet.
The first thing you need to do is to make sure you have all the tools necessary to do the job. Again, don't get too anxious here. Most people have the basic tools they will need for this job just hanging around their home, just check in that tool box in the closet. A crescent wrench, pliers, some putty, and maybe a faucet will be all that you need. The next thing you need to do is turn off any nearby electrical that may be in contact with or too close to the area you will be working.
When you begin, your first task is to turn off the water. Believe it or not, many people forget that step when they begin installing new water fixtures and it can lead to quite a mess. Water damage is a big hit in the potential gains when you put your property for sale on the market, so if it does start to leak everywhere make sure to clean it up right away. The water line can be turned off under the sink, and if not there just turn off the main water. Then turn on both faucets to make sure any water hanging around in the faucet gets out.
Next, detach the water lines under the sink with your crescent wrench. Look here to buy one if you do not have one. You're still under the sink, so take the time to get the nuts holding the faucet in place out with your pliers. Remove the old faucet. Before you put the new one in, take the plumber's putty (a plumbing washer can work here too) and put it around the edges of the faucet hole. This will help seal it property when you place the new faucet in.
Put the two new nuts in place, but remember not to tighten them too much! Connect the water lines, and you have fixed one of the most common problems in your average home or condo today.
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