Bathroom faucets all work the same way. You flip the handle one direction as well as the water starts to flow in the spout. Turn the handle in the opposite direction as well as the water stops. While the exterior of the faucets appear to function the same, manufacturers use three different stem designs within the faucet bodies to control the water stream. Over time, these faucet stems can wearwater and water can drip from the faucet even though the grips are in the “off” position. Replace the toilet faucet stems to stop the drips and help you save money on your water bill.
Shut off the water supply lines from turning the hot and cold valves under the sink. Turn on both faucet handles to release any pressure and water in the lines.
Pry the caps from the surface of the bathroom faucet grips using a small, flathead screwdriver. You faucet may not possess caps but may have exposed screws on top of the grips or small setscrews on the surfaces of the grips.
Remove the Phillips screws in the tops of the toilet faucet grips using a Phillips screwdriver, or utilize a little hex key to loosen the setscrews on the surfaces of the grips. Pull the faucet grips off to expose the stems.
Utilize pump pliers to loosen the retaining nuts in case your toilet faucet employs cartridge stems. Loosen the packing nuts if your faucet employs compression stems. Loosen the mounting nuts if your faucet employs ceramic stems. Pull the stems from the faucet body.
Take your old stems to a home improvement or plumbing supply shop to compare and buy precise replacement stems.
Insert the capsule stems into the faucet body. Fit new O-rings over the threads at the bottom of the compression stems. Coat the top of this stems in plumber’s grease before inserting the compression stems into the faucet body. Install rubber seals to the bottom of ceramic stems and then install them in the faucet body.
Secure cartridge stems using the retaining nuts. Secure the compression stems using the packing nuts. Secure ceramic stems using the mounting nuts. Utilize the pump pliers to tighten the nuts.
Install the grips onto the faucet stems. Secure the grips by tightening the setscrews or installing the screws.
Turn both faucet handles to the “on” position. Gradually turn to the water source to both faucets by turning the valves counterclockwise.