How To Fix A Loose Faucet In Bathroom Sink

How To Fix A Loose Faucet In Bathroom Sink

FIX OR DITCH:

The Lifespan of Faucet

Modern kitchen and bath faucets are generally well engineered and can easily last a decade or more depending on what type you have and factors such as how hard your water is. Many people choose to replace faucets as a design decision when remodeling, but there are more practical reasons that may lead you to replace a faucet. These include:

* When its finish is worn away and its handle discolored or cracked.

* The threads on the aerator or spout are worn or corroded, making aerator replacement difficult.

* Its internal parts are so worn that replacement washers, O rings, screws, clips, and valve assembly simply don't solve the problem any longer.

5:124 || OUT OF TUNE:

Every time you go for a glass of water, you have to deal with a screeching faucet.

THE QUICK FIX

It's a matter of rubber. Rubber washers age and harden and can make a particular sound when water passes over them in a hurry. If your faucet is making a screeching sound, it's most likely an older version with washers. Replace the washers with an inexpensive kit from a hardware store, or replace the whole faucet if it's time to update.

5:125 || SOUND PLUMBING:

A clanking faucet has you wondering if your water supply is safe.

THE QUICK FIX

A clanking, clicking, or mechanical sound signals a problem that needs to be investigated. Although it could be coming from the pipes, if it sounds distinctly like it is coming from the faucet itself, you'll need to take the faucet apart and reassemble, looking for cracks in any of the pieces and making sure that the entire assembly has been tightened well.

5:126 || SQUEAKY HANDLE:

The guest bathroom has a squeaky faucet that's starting to draw comments.

THE QUICK FIX

Sometimes the threads of the faucet stem become worn. The easy way to correct this is to remove the faucet handle and coat the threads of the handle stem with plumber's grease and then reassemble the faucet. This will usually make the handle easier to use and make the whole structure as quiet as it should be.

5:127 || FREE FLOW:

Your friends are on their way over for a cocktail party, and the powder room faucet spits rather than streams.

THE QUICK FIX

The most likely culprit of an inconsistent water stream from a faucet is a clogged aerator--the screw-on screen that covers the mouth of the faucet. Remove the aerator and flush any lime or mineral deposits until the screen is clear, then reattach it. In cases where the aerator is entirely blocked or crusted, it's easier to just swap the aerator with an inexpensive replacement available from hardware stores and home centers.

5:128 || SQUIRT ALERT:

The kitchen sink sprayer offers a dribble where once there was a spray.

THE QUICK FIX

Low flow in a kitchen sink sprayer is often associated with the diverter, a small valve located in the stem of the faucet. Take the handle assembly apart and pop out the diverter with a screwdriver and soak it in a bath of equal parts white vinegar and boiling hot water. Reassemble the faucet with the diverter in place, and the sprayer stream should be as strong as ever.

5:129 || SPOUTING OFF:

You need to remove the tub spout, but taking it off seems close to impossible.

THE QUICK FIX

Professional plumbers use a "strap wrench" to remove fittings that could be scratched, but chances are you don't have one of those in your toolbox. You can make do with a pair of slip-joint pliers. Jam the handles into the mouth of the spout until they are secure, and then turn the spout counterclockwise.

5:130 || WATER TORTURE:

It will be days before you can replace the washer in your bathroom faucet, but by then you'll have severe sleep deprivation from the sound of the dripping.

THE QUICK FIX

Tie a long string around the end of the faucet so that the water drips onto the string and runs down it silently.

5:131 || FILL-`ER-UP TUB:

The water starts draining from your bathtub as soon as you have it filled.

THE QUICK FIX

Many lever-action stoppers don't form a watertight seal against the drain. Fortunately, the fix is easy. First, unscrew the round overflow plate from the end of the tub. Gently pull on the plate until the attached linage assembly slips out from behind the tub. The linkage is composed of several metal pieces, including a threaded rod. Turn the rod two or three revolutions to lengthen the entire linkage assembly. Replace the linkage and screw the overflow plate to the tub wall. Raise the control lever on the overflow plate and turn on the water. Check to see if the water remains in the tub. If it's still draining out, remove the overflow plate and lengthen the linkage a bit more.

5:132 || TOO HOT TO HANDLE:

Washing your hands can be a scalding experience. When it comes to tap water, how hot is too hot--and what can you do about it?

THE QUICK FIX

Many water heaters have temperature settings well above 120 degrees F. Reducing the water heater's temperature is not only more energy efficient, it's also safer.

First, measure your hot water temperature. It's best to do this in the morning, before anyone has used any hot water. Turn on the tap and let it run for 2 minutes before reading the temperature with either an outdoor or a candy thermometer--just hold it under the water stream until the temperature is stable. If the temperature is 120 degrees F (or slightly above), you don't have to do anything. But if you're above 125 degrees F, you're in the danger zone (see chart). Here's how to turn it down.

The thermostat on a gas hot water heater is usually outside the tank at the bottom. On an electric water heater, look for two panels screwed to the top and bottom of the tank or one panel along the side of the tank--the thermostat will be located under these panels. The thermostat should be set on the "low" setting or within the "energy-efficient range." If the temperature at the tap is too hot at this setting, adjust the thermostat to a lower setting.

Wait 24 hours before testing the water temperature again (you might not get an accurate reading otherwise). Continue to test the water temperature and adjust the thermostat setting until the water temperature falls between 120 and 125 degrees F.

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How To Fix A Loose Faucet In Bathroom Sink

Source: https://www.popularmechanics.com/home/how-to/a3968/4303977/