Plumber West Covina installs and repairs the pipes that supply drinking water, remove waste, and control sewage. They may also work on plumbing systems for new construction projects.
The career offers solid job security and a reasonable salary. Many plumbers start out as apprentices and advance to journeyman and master plumber status through a training program that can last up to four years.
A dripping faucet can be more than just annoying—just one drip per second wastes 3,000 gallons of water each year. Fortunately, a few simple tools and a little plumbing technique can fix the problem for most single handle faucets. Turn off the water supply, remove the handle, and disassemble the faucet to access the internal parts. Then replace the cartridge or clean the ceramic disks, if necessary. Reassemble and test for leaks.
Start by turning off the water supply valve, which is usually a small screw or lever under the sink. Then remove the faucet handle and pry off the decorative cap to expose a screw that holds the handle in place. Use a screwdriver to loosen the screw and gently lift off the handle.
Before removing the handle, you should be able to identify what kind of faucet you have. Some have a compression stem with two handles for hot and cold, while others have a cartridge or disk type with a single handle. Knowing what kind of faucet you have will help determine the steps you need to take to repair it.
If you have a ball or Delta style faucet, the handle can be removed by removing the cap and collar, then unscrewing the top of the handle to expose the inner parts. For a Moen or other cartridge type, you’ll need to remove the handle assembly and either replace the ceramic disks (if they are worn out) or the entire cartridge (if it is defective). Once the new parts are installed, reassemble the handle, turn on the water supply, and test for leaks.
A cartridge-style faucet is a bit more complicated, but not difficult. You’ll need to remove the handle, then unscrew the dome assembly and metal handle adapter underneath. You’ll also need to remove the plastic pivot stop by hand or with a wrench, and you may need to remove the brass retainer clip with a pair of pliers. Once you have all the parts removed, reassemble the handle and cover plate, tighten the set screw with an Allen wrench, then screw in the handle firmly.
Repairing the Faucet Seat
If your faucet’s handle leaks while it is on or off, the problem is probably a faulty valve seat. This is a small fitting at the base of the faucet that seals with a washer when it is shut off and opens to allow water through. If the metal seat is worn or rusty, it won’t create a tight seal and water will drip through. This is an easy plumbing repair that can be done by the average homeowner.
A bad valve seat can also cause a faucet to make a squealing noise when turned on or off. This is because the washer that closes and opens to allow water through is seated directly on top of the valve seat. If this washer wears out, it will no longer grip the valve seat and will cause it to vibrate or rattle while turning. The easiest solution is to remove the washer and coat it with petroleum jelly or other household lubricant. This will stop the squealing and make the handle easier to turn.
In some faucets, particularly two-handle compression or cartridge faucets, the valve seat is removable. This can be helpful if mineral deposits have collected around the inlet hole and prevented the seat from sealing completely. In this case, it may be possible to replace the seat or “O” rings to eliminate the leak.
If the valve seat isn’t reusable, you can replace it with a new one from a plumbing supply outlet. A machinist with a valve seat grinder can also grind and dress the existing seat to give it a smooth, uniform surface that will seat well with the washer and prevent leaks.
Before attempting to replace the valve seat, it is a good idea to shut off all water lines and drain the faucet by turning on it. It is also a good idea to remove the decorative cap from the faucet handle and loosen and remove the set screw holding the handle in place. Then, open the cartridge and remove the adjusting ring to expose the ceramic disc cartridge and screw that holds it in place.
Repairing the Faucet Cylinder
Leaking cartridge faucets can be a real pain, but fixing one is fairly simple. First, shut off the water supply, either at the faucet or by locating your house’s shutoff valve and turning it off. Then remove the handle, if necessary, to access the screw holding the handle to the valve body. The screw may be hidden under a plastic cap that you can remove with a knife blade, or it may be exposed as an Allen-head set screw. You’ll also need to remove the decorative escutcheon, if present, and possibly a chrome sleeve that holds the handle. If you don’t have a hex wrench, a small screwdriver should do the trick.
The next step is to disassemble the faucet cylinder. Depending on the design of your faucet, this might involve unscrewing the handle or it might require removal of a spanner tool, which is often included with the repair kit. If you’re lucky, the old cartridge will have a name printed on it that you can match up with images online to find a new one. Otherwise, take the old cartridge with you to the store and use a tool like Danco’s Cartridge Finder or the Stem Finder feature on its website to help locate a replacement.
If the cartridge is in good condition, it’s probably just a matter of replacing worn washers or O-rings that are keeping the flange seal tight and preventing water from flowing through. Clean any mineral deposits from the flange with distilled vinegar and scourer pads before replacing them. Also, apply silicone lubricant to all the rubber components, including the cartridge stem.
Alternatively, you could replace the whole cartridge if the flange seal is badly worn or cracked. But this is not recommended for most homeowners because if the cartridge is damaged, you’ll also need to replace the retaining nut and the plastic cam and packing, which can be difficult for most people to get their hands on.
Whether you’re replacing the cartridge or repairing an existing one, a good plumber will always begin by carefully shutting off the water supply before attempting any repairs. This is usually done by locating and shutting off the water valve located underneath the sink, but it may be more convenient to turn off your house’s main water valve instead.
Repairing the Faucet Valve
One of the most common causes of drips and leaks from faucets is a worn valve seat. Depending on the type of faucet, you may be able to replace the seat without having to install a new faucet. To do this, shut off the water supply and remove the handle. Insert a seat wrench into the hole and turn it counterclockwise to loosen the old seat. Then, screw in a new one, being careful not to misalign the tab on the cam with the notch in the seat.
A single-handle faucet that leaks from the spigot or handle can usually be fixed by replacing the cam and cartridge. Leaks from the spigot can be caused by poor adjusting-ring tension, while those in the handle are typically caused by a worn cam gasket.
Before attempting to replace or repair any parts, check the faucet for mineral deposits, especially those around the spout, valve body, and handle. Clean these with a scouring pad and distilled white vinegar, then coat any rubber parts that have been exposed to water with nontoxic plumber’s grease.
Some drips can be caused by clogged aerators, pipes, or pressure regulators. These can be cleaned or replaced to eliminate the problem. In other cases, a slow flow of water can be caused by defective O-rings or washers that are worn out. Replace these with the correct size, and coat them with nontoxic plumber’s grease to prevent leaking.
For cartridge- or disk-type faucets, it is possible to fix most problems without removing the entire handle assembly. If the handle is stuck, try applying a sudden shock to it or using heat, but be careful not to damage the finish. If the adjusting ring is stuck, it may be corroded and need to be removed with penetrating oil.
Alternatively, you can try tightening the adjusting ring to stop a handle leak. Start by turning off the water, then remove the handle by prying off a decorative cap and unscrewing the set screw with a screwdriver or Allen wrench. Unscrew the dome assembly under the handle, then unscrew or remove the metal handle adapter and plastic handle cap. If the adjusting ring still won’t turn, use the spanner tool included in your faucet repair kit to loosen it.
