Repair Leaking Faucets

Repair Leaking Faucets

Leaks are annoying, wasteful, cost money, and stain fixtures. Most leaking faucets are caused by worn out washers.

Supplies Needed To Repair Faucets:

Box of assorted sizes of washers, unless you know the size.

Screwdriver

Adjustable wrench

How To Repair:
First, turn off the water at the shutoff valve nearest the faucet you are going to repair, then turn on the faucet until the water stops flowing.

Loosen packing nut with wrench. Most nuts loosen by turning counterclockwise. Use the handle to pull out the valve unit.

Remove the screw holding the old washer at the bottom of the valve unit. Put in new washer and replace screw.

Put valve unit back in faucet and turn handle to the proper position.

Tighten the packing nut.

Turn on the water at the shutoff valve.

Faucets may look different, but they are all built about the same.

Mixing faucets used on sinks, laundry tubs, and bathtubs are two units with the same spout. You'll need to repair each unit separately.

Is water leaking around the packing nut?

Try tightening the nut. If it still leaks, remove the handle and loosen the packing nut. If there is a washer under it, replace the washer.

If there's no washer, you may need to wrap the spindle with "packing wicking"; replace packing nut and handle.

Turn water back on at the shutoff valve.

THE DANGERS OF COMBUSTIBLE INSULATION

THE DANGERS OF COMBUSTIBLE INSULATION

Do-it-yourself project can easily create a lethal situation.

Check your home for combustible insulation.

The most common type of exposed combustible insulation found in houses is polystyrene -- the

white plastic insulation commonly used to make disposable coffee cups.

It comes in one-quarter inch to four-inch thick sheets. It is often exposed in basements, crawl

spaces and garages.


When plastic insulation burns, it gives off a tremendous amount of heat.

The fire tends to travel very quickly across the surface of the plastic and gives off thick, black, toxic smoke.

If you find this insulation in your home, cover it with drywall to protect it from fire and reduce

flame spread if it does burn.

If polystyrene insulation has been glued to the inside of your garage door, there's no way to

adequately protect it -- simply remove it.



Polystyrene was often used by Do-It-Yourselfers, as inexpensive ceiling tile for T- bar ceilings.

Using combustible plastic insulation as suspended ceiling tiles is a disaster waiting to happen.