Do-It-Yourself Bath Faucet Repair

A leaky faucet is a common home-plumbing problem. When left unattended, this leads to water damage and stained fixtures. While all faucets share certain common characteristics, it is essential to know the Gate Valve design of the faucet to be fixed. This helps in determining the necessary replacement parts, as well as the required techniques.
Compression Faucet
Repairing a compression faucet requires a screwdriver, an adjustable wrench, a razor knife, O-rings and washers. Shut water supply off. Open faucet and drain. Pull index cap off. Remove handle screw. Loosen retaining nut with wrench and pull out by hand. Use screwdriver to remove stem. Pull washer off and replace with a new one. Cut O-ring off using utility knife. Use heat-proof grease to coat and then slip back on to stem. Arrange stem in the faucet body. Install the retaining nut, handle and screw. Turn water on and check for leaks.
Ball-type Faucet
This job requires a repair kit, screwdriver, channel-type pliers, utility knife, and an Allen wrench. Shut off water supply and drain faucet. Loosen handle setscrew with the Allen wrench. Tighten adjusting ring with wrench included in repair kit. Replace handle and turn water on. If the faucet still leaks, turn water off and remove handle. Using the channel-type pliers, unscrew cap and remove cam, washer and ball. Remove valve seats and spring. Twist upwards to remove spout. Grease new O-rings and replace old ones. Install spout, valve seats, spring, cam, washer and ball. Screw cap on and install handle. Test for leaks.
Ball Sleeve-type Cartridge Faucet
Necessary tools are channel-type pliers, needle hose pliers, utility knife, screwdriver and O-rings. Shut water pressure off and drain faucet. Detach index cap and handle screw. Lift off handle. Remove retaining nut with channel-type pliers. Use needle-nose pliers to pull retaining clip. Pull out the old cartridge with channel-type ZD Valve pliers. Twist off spout and remove old O-rings. Install new ones and replace spout. Tighten retaining nut with pliers. Slip inner lever over retaining nut. Replace handle, screw and index cap. Test for leaks.
Disc-type Cartridge Faucet
This bath faucet repair requires a screwdriver, a new cartridge and an Allen wrench. Shut water supply off and drain faucet. Remove index cap with screwdriver. Take out handle screw and faucet handle. Use the Allen wrench to loosen setscrew and remove handle insert. Unscrew dome cap. Remove cartridge mounting screws and detach cartridge. Replace cartridge. Tighten mounting screws. Screw dome cap on. Reassemble handle insert, handle, handle screw and index cap. Test for leaks.