Fix Your Leaking Bathroom Faucet

Dealing with a leaking bathroom faucet is undoubtedly an annoyance no one can tolerate! But here's the silver lining: You have the power to rescue both your sanity and your hard-earned money by taking action today to rectify that leaky faucet. Don't ignore a small drip; fix it promptly. This will prevent it from becoming a big problem that disturbs your peace of mind. Think about how quickly repairing a faucet can make a positive difference. Instead of pondering, “Why is my bathroom faucet dripping?” consider the practicality of seeking plumbing fixture repair services near you.

Keep reading to learn more about how you can fix your leaking bathroom faucet.

How to Fix a Leaking Bathroom Faucet

Causes of a Bathroom Leaky Faucet

At some point, we all have to grapple with the nuisance of a leaky faucet. Regardless of whether you're in an older or more modern residence, the issue of a leaky faucet is bound to arise. Be it your bathroom sink or the faucet in your bathtub, the root causes of leaks are often similar and can be attributed to the accumulation of mineral deposits, the corrosive effects of time, or the malfunctioning of faucet components.

Let's delve into the components that tend to wear down or corrode, inevitably leading to those frustrating faucet leaks.

» Worn-out Internal Washer

This particular component is vital in regulating water flow within the faucet system. The internal washer opens and closes accordingly as you turn the faucet handle on or off. The constant friction in these motions over time can gradually degrade a rubber washer, eventually causing a leak from the sink faucet.

» Faulty O-ring

Cartridge faucets typically incorporate an O-ring, a small rubber disc that can become loose or deteriorate over time, eventually leading to a rupture. The consistent usage and friction that the faucet endures contribute to the gradual deterioration of this O-ring. When this degradation happens, water doesn't merely drip from the spout; instead, it dribbles from the base of the sink or handle.

» Corroded Valve Seat

Corrosion can manifest due to mineral accumulation or friction affecting various components. The deposit of minerals often catalyzes the corrosion process on the valve seat. To prevent further corrosion, the widespread practice involves using white vinegar to eliminate mineral buildup. Plus, incorrectly placed washers during installation can compromise the structural integrity of the valve seat, impacting the seal and thereby leading to faucet leakage.

Also Read: How To Unclog A Bathroom Sink

Tools You’ll Need to Fix the Leaky Bathroom Faucet

Employing tools can prevent causing harm to the faucet while conducting repairs. Possessing the appropriate tools and understanding their correct utilization can simplify and enhance the repair procedure, guaranteeing accurate and lasting restoration of the faucet.

Below is a list of essentials for plumbing repairs, such as leaking bathroom faucets.

  • Adjustable Wrench
  • Screwdrivers
  • Allen Wrench Set
  • Replacement Washers and Seals
  • Plumber's Tape
  • WD-40 or Penetrating Oil
  • Rags or Towels
  • Bucket

How to Fix a Leaky Bathroom Faucet

Follow these steps to repair your leaky bathroom faucet:

Step 1: Halt the Water Flow

Initiating the process starts with putting an end to water flow. The first imperative step involves turning off the water supply at the valves underneath the bathroom sink. Locate these valves, controlling both hot and cold water, and carefully rotate their handles clockwise to cut off the water supply effectively.

Following this, open the faucet to allow for the drainage of any residual water in both the faucet and the interconnected water lines. If your faucet lacks dedicated shutoff valves or the water flow isn't entirely curtailed, you might need to resort to the main water shutoff, thereby stopping the water supply for your entire household.

Step 2: Dismantle the Faucet Handles

With the water supply effectively terminated, the next crucial step involves the disassembly of the single-handle bathroom faucet. This entails locating the compact set screw near the faucet handle's base or rear.

Although the specifics might vary from one brand to another, it's common for these screws to exhibit a hexagonal shape, thereby necessitating an appropriately sized Allen wrench for loosening. Once the set screw is loosened, carefully remove the faucet handle.

Step 3: Extract the Valve Stem

After successfully removing the faucet handle, you'll gain visibility into the inner valve stem or cartridge, which requires extraction. Depending on the type of faucet, the process may vary: for compression faucets, the brass valve stem can be unscrewed, while cartridge faucets necessitate a direct pulling motion. If you encounter difficulties during this phase, referring to your faucet manual or seeking guidance online can prove invaluable.

Step 4: Scrutinize and Substitute Faulty Components

With all elements successfully disassembled, embark on a meticulous inspection to identify the specific component causing the leak. Among the details you'll encounter are rubber washers, O-rings, and seals. If any of these exhibit signs of aging or damage, promptly replace them with suitable replacements.

A nearby hardware store can significantly assist in procuring the necessary replacement parts.

Step 5: Restore Water Flow

Confirm that the faucet is in the closed position and activate the water valves beneath the sink. Allow water to flow briefly while vigilantly monitoring the tap for any indication of leakage. Afterward, turn off the faucet and verify its leak-free status.

Preventing Bathroom Fixture Leaks

Prevention is critical to avoid future leaks. Follow these tips to keep your bathroom faucet in good condition:

  • Regular Maintenance: Inspect your faucet for any signs of wear and tear. Address minor issues with a plumbing expert promptly before they turn into significant leaks.
  • Moderate Water Pressure: If you have high water pressure, consider installing a pressure regulator to prevent undue stress on your fixtures.
  • Professional Installation: Ensure your faucet is installed correctly by hiring a professional plumber. Proper installation can prevent leaks down the line.
  • Avoid over-tightening: Don't apply excessive force when turning off the faucet. Over-tightening can cause damage and leaks.

Summing up

Dealing with a leaky bathroom faucet might seem daunting, but with the right tools and a little know-how, you can fix it yourself. However, if you're not sure with the repair process or encounter complications, rely on the Thousand Oaks fixture repair experts at Conejo Valley Home Services Plumbing & Rooter for help. Schedule an appointment for fixture repair or Thousand Oaks leak detection services by calling (805) 499-0448 or fill out the contact form.

By promptly addressing leaks and following preventive measures, you can ensure your bathroom fixtures stay drip-free and function efficiently for years.

4.8
Based on 110 reviews
powered by Google
Jennifer Friedman
00:45 10 Apr 25
We were on Conejo’s maintenance plan for a while. We found they were very thorough in checking our A/C, plumbing and electric systems. It is worth considering these plans.We had other work done where we felt the pricing was quite high, like for a garbage disposal and for installing a tankless hot water heater. So consumers should be sure to do price comparisons.When they put in our tankless hot water heater, there were a couple of code violations that needed to be corrected, plus we had some questions about the costs. But when our concerns finally reached the Customer Service managers, their response was excellent and all our concerns were immediately and satisfactorily resolved.
Rick Phillips
00:10 03 Feb 25
I strongly suggest getting cost estimates from other companies before hiring Conejo. I was provided an estimate of $7149 to perform what turned out to be 7 hours of work by two (relatively low paid) employees and a couple hours to use specialty equipment to pinpoint failure point. I had a blockage in my home sewer system caused by root intrusion. By using their tool inserted into the sewer pipe they said the blockage was 8 feet deep and under my concrete entryway walkway and would therefore take two workmen 2 to 3 days to complete the repairs. I questioned that pricing since it seemed too high and was provided a reduction of $850 to $6299. That still seemed like a high price but I needed to get the work done quickly so I accepted the bid. (My big mistake.) I monitored the work when their two workmen came to make the repairs. I am retired from SoCalGas so have some knowledge about excavating and fixing damaged pipe. The sewer pipe was only 3 feet deep, not 8 feet deep. The work involved digging and exposing the 4-inch plastic sewer pipe and then cutting out a 3-foot section and installing new pipe, then backfilling the excavation (which was done poorly – was not well compacted – I did this after they left as best I could. I hope my entryway sidewalk doesn’t fail/crack in the future.) They completed the work in 7 hours. I then contacted Conejo and asked to them to reconsider the price since the basis of the estimate was incorrect. I eventually spoke with their plumbing manager, Nick, who said he would speak with the person who developed the estimate and get back to me. Nick never got back to me even though I called their offices twice and texted Nick. The next contact I had from Conejo was a revised bill reducing the charge by $500, leaving me with a bill of $5799. On the positive side, the people I spoke with in their billing and/or scheduling department with friendly and responsive.
Ben Rogers
17:47 26 Jan 25
Conejo installed a new furnace and water heater at my home, and I’m so impressed with the quality of their work. Their prices are competitive and their team is the best!
Pav G
20:40 08 Aug 24
Outstanding Service from Alfredo at Conejo Valley Heating and ACWe’ve had ongoing AC issues for a couple of years, and after trying other companies, we finally found the solution with Alfredo from Conejo Valley Heating and AC. The level of professionalism and quality of work Alfredo delivered was unparalleled.From the moment he arrived, Alfredo impressed us with his attention to detail—respecting our home by wearing booties and carefully assessing the situation. He identified the root cause of our AC problems, taking his time and staying late into the afternoon, even after a long, busy day. As the last appointment of the day, Alfredo made sure our AC was fully repaired before leaving.Beyond fixing the immediate issue, Alfredo also provided valuable advice and options for maintaining our AC in the future, along with some helpful plumbing suggestions. His dedication to his craft and customer service is truly world-class.We highly recommend requesting Alfredo if you’re considering Conejo Valley Heating and AC. We’ve permanently requested him as our go-to technician for any future needs. His work is simply outstanding, and we couldn’t be more satisfied with the service.
Jason D
19:01 13 Jun 24
A home inspection was done for the sale of our home and the inspector flagged our furnace as not having a furnace door switch and being a potential fire hazard. Parker arrived to open the furnace door to find that the switch had a piece of black tape over it to protect it, he removed said tape, job done. Unreal. Thanks Parker.
Cindy Gooden
22:09 04 Jun 24
Gave us an estimate and we decided to wait a few months before booking. I called when we were ready to book, but the person they directed us to never called us back!We ended up choosing another local plumber who charged half what CVHAPR quoted us. I'm so glad we got a second opinion.
Amber Hauptman
18:56 10 May 24
Parker was awesome! He was very informative and answered our million questions! Looking forward to working with him again soon! Thank you Parker!!!
Marlowe Schneidkraut
15:43 29 Jun 23
Easy to set up an appointment. Came on time and called ahead when they were enroute. Work was done promptly and professionally. Technician kept working area clean and cleaned up after service.
Pat Perrine
02:40 15 Jun 23
Professional and on time. Diagnosed the problem and gave several alternatives for repair.
Bob Abraham
15:19 11 May 23
By far the best and most reliable company I've ever used. I've had nothing but good experiences with their plumbing services as well as their Air Conditioning Service. Professional in every sense of the way. Would absolutely recommend them to anyone who wants honest reasonably priced services. Thank you so much.
Thomas Stevens
01:12 05 Apr 23
Very professional and incredibly responsive. We were without hot water and they took care of our situation incredibly quickly. It was not a simple process and they put in overtime to get us done. Very happy and will certainly use them again.
Rebecca Zemlyn
01:41 24 Mar 23
Wonderful experience today with the 65 point plumbing inspection. Gave me peace of mind & I know they will be back to take care of any issues. Loyal customer for heating & air services. Now, with the introduction of plumbing, I know where to go for honest, quality service. True professionals!
Lisa Call
04:08 19 Feb 23
These guys are great! They were prompt, courteous and knowledgeable. And they are careful to not leave a mess (and they even use shoe covers to walk around in your house)! What more could you ask for? A great experience and I will use them again!
Linn Griffin
04:30 08 Feb 23
Conejo Valley replaced our A/C and furnace in 2014, and just replaced our 20 year old tank water heater today. We switched from tank to tankless and were very impressed with the work. The technicians were very knowledgeable and organized; for us, the installation took only 3 hours as the space was pretty easy to access. I highly recommend Conejo Valley! The office called as soon as they left to check on how the installation went. Great customer service. To the technicians, thanks for your hard work!
Terry Hunsaker
03:16 07 Feb 23
Exceptional service from making an appointment with Nancy to Nick repairing leak under kitchen sink. Extremely professional, arrived on time, wear booties (not necessary for me), offered to wear a mask, respectful and neat. Reasonable fair pricing which turned out to be nothing major. I will use them again if needed. Thank you.
Fred GARDERES
17:29 22 Jan 23
Our 20 year old furnace broke down for good over the Christmas break. And it got wet and cold…This team was able to come and quote a new heating system and have it installed, in under 6 days!They were on time, very respectful, and kept us posted continuously throughout the project.We would definitely use them again, and we strongly recommend them!
Michael Martinez
00:42 07 Jan 23
Art did an excellent job. He stayed late on a rainy day to ensure my drain was working. He talked me thru the entire process and took the extra time to locate the issue and fix it as best he could. He got our drain working and gave us the long term solution and cost. I’d definitely use this company and specifically Art again.

Our innovative solution

  • Water Heaters
  • Drain Cleaning
  • Re-Pipe Specialists
  • Sewer Inspection

Why choose Conejo Valley Home Services Plumbing & Rooter?

  • Trusted, certified technicians
  • Emergency Repairs
  • Available 24/7
  • Exceptional Service Guarantee
  • Locally Owned and Operated
  • Licensed and Insured
  • Workmanship Parts Guaranteed
  • Courteous, Uniformed Professionals
  • Convenient Appointment Times

Request Services

Fill the form below to Request Home and Commercial Plumbing Services

Request Service

Fill the form below to Request Plumbing Services, Repair & Installation

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

REQUEST A SERVICE

scroll to top button