We rely on the predictability of faucets more than we realize. And modern humans are pretty spoiled by them. Long gone are the days of hauling water to the house from a nearby well. And that gratitude isn’t often fully appreciated until the convenience is gone. If you’re dealing with a malfunctioning faucet on your end, consider these steps for leaky faucet repair in Port St. Lucie. You can try fixing it yourself, or call in the experts for a professional job. 

What causes the problem requiring leaky faucet repair

The first step in fixing your leaky faucet is to know what kind of faucet you have. Common household faucets usually fall in one four categories: ball type, cartridge, ceramic disk, or compression. The guilty culprit for a leaky faucet tends to involve valves, washers, seals or O-rings. Once you figure out the type of faucet you’re dealing with, and the culprit causing the problem, you’ll be one step closer to leaky faucet repair.

First steps for leaky faucet repair

The very first thing you’ll need to do to successfully fix your leaky faucet is to shut off the water supply to the faucet which is probably under the sink. It’s smart to lay a rag over the drain hole so that no little pieces inadvertently fall where you don’t want them to. With a wrench, you’ll gently remove the decorative cap if there is one, and quickly get into the cuts of the faucet. Have a mild solution of white vinegar nearby and a course scrubbing pad that you can use to remove any mineral deposits that might have collected on the faucet parts. 

What next?

If you have a compression faucet, you’re probably looking for a malfunctioning O-ring that needs to be replaced. If you have a ceramic faucet, you’ll probably need to replace the seals to stop the leak. If you have a ball-type faucet, there’s a good chance you’ll be replacing the spring and seat. Replacement kits for these sink types are sold at most home improvement stores.   

Or leave it all to the pros

Fixing a leaky faucet isn’t the most difficult project in the world. But some people would rather not be bothered with understanding the inner workings of their bathroom or kitchen faucets. If that sounds more like you, pick up the phone and call an expert in to get the job done fast. You’ll be back to the modern conveniences of running water, on demand, in no time.