Informer asked:


bathroom sink has a slow drip. not bad yet but i’d like to intercept before it gets there. i know how to use your basic tools and i follow directions quite well so if anyone can give me a step by step i could save the plumber a trip.
my bad!! i should have mentioned that the tap is dripping. if it were the drain i’d call a plumber. its yucky down there. i’m too chicken to try that.
JAN

6 Responses to “how do i stop a slow leak without calling a plumber?”

1. ALDEN on February 11th, 2009 10:18 pm

   ALEX

   It depends on where the leak is coming from. If it is at the drain there are universal drain kits at the hardware store. They are availble in both plastic and chromed steel. There are often directions on the package. If the leak is from the water delivery side, you can replace the faulty part. If the leak comes after the shut-off valves you can turn them off and replace what needs to be changed. If the leak is before the valves you will probably have to turn the water off to the house.

2. GORDON on February 14th, 2009 5:10 pm

   GORDON

   Unscrew the trap, wrap Teflon tape around the threads, and ***** it back together. Do this for all of the parts of your particular sink that you can unscrew. Oh, and it would be a good idea to turn off the water while working. Teflon tape can be purchased at any reputable hardware store

3. DANIEL on February 15th, 2009 5:25 am

   OLIVER

   assuming you are talking not about the drain but the faucet…

   1st turn the water feed off before the next step
   maybe a valve under the sink or else in the basement,
   if necessary, turn the water off for the whole house.
   take the faucet handle off,
   remove the stem with an open end wrench,
   see a washer?
   made of rubber?
   then you’re in luck
   get a new washer at hardware store,
   put it all back and turn water back on.
   if it’s a newer model faucet it might have o-rings instead of washers.
   you gotta be a little mechanically inclined to attempt this,
   but i think you are or you wouldn’t ask this question

4. LUKE on February 17th, 2009 11:48 pm

   JIMMY

   There are two things that can cause this leak, one is the Rubber washer you will find on the end of the Valve Stem-(faucet ) Careful not to warble the head of the screw- replace the washer- most often this is on the Hot Side. 2. The valve Seat. a tiny brass insert screwed into the Valve body-gets a ***** in it- it takes a Special seat tool to remove it- but they are cheap, Insert the Tool, and turn CC. it screws out install a new one.

   Make sure the Water to the faucet is turned off.

5. CURTIS on February 20th, 2009 11:50 am

   BRYAN

   This isn’t all that hard to do.
   First turn off the water to the faucet.
   Second use a pair of pliers to loosen the lock-nut (located between the handle and the faucet body)
   Third remove the stem (by turning the handle till the stem comes out)
   Fourth look inside the faucet body at the seat. If the seat is pitted and not smooth then it can be removed with a seat wrench (an inexpensive tool available at any hardware store)
   Fifth replace the washer on the stem (the ***** is sometimes stuck but the person at the hardware store can help you to remove it or replace it if needed.)
   Sixth reassemble the faucet in the opposite way that you disassembled it.
   Last turn the water back on and check for leaks.

   That’s all there is too it.

6. ED on February 22nd, 2009 8:03 pm

   JACKIE

   This link will cover a few of the different kind of faucets. Some of the pages are a little slow, but be patient. Hope it helps.