If you are repairing a bath faucet, shut off the house water supply at the main valve. You may also need to remove the spout or handles to reveal the faucet mechanism,.
Ball faucets have a single handle that rotates over a ball. One handled faucets on a cylinder may be cartridge or ceramic disk faucets. The cartridge is more likely as it needs repairs more often, so start with those instructions. If they don’t match what you see, try the ceramic disk instructions. Two handled washerless faucets are cartridge faucets.
Place a kitchen knife or putty knife into the slots on top of the washer. (If necessary, you can buy a repair kit with a special tool for this purpose. ) Turn the ring a short distance clockwise. Replace the handle and turn on the water. If the handle still drips, turn off water and tighten further. Tighten in small movements only. Overtightening can make the handle difficult to turn.
Remove the top metal cap and collar with slip-joint pliers, then lift out the spout. Lift out the plastic cam and cam washer. If you cannot remove this with pliers, your faucet may require a special tool from a repair kit. [5] X Research source Remove the ball.
If the ball looks fine apart from slight mineral buildup, dissolve the mineral with a few drops of distilled white vinegar and scrub with a plastic scouring pad. [7] X Research source Even if the ball is corroded, inspect the other parts as described below. More than one part may need replacement.
Line up the slot or mark on the ball with the notch on the faucet body. Line up the lug on the cam with the same notch. To reinstall the spout, twist while pushing down hard.
You may need to lever out the handle with a screwdriver. Take care not to apply too much force, or the handle will break.
A retaining nut above the cartridge, removable with slip joint pliers. A horizontal metal clip holding the cartridge down. This may be removable by hand or small pliers. A tiny plastic retaining clip at the base or side of the cartridge. Use needlenose pliers to pull this out carefully. Note its position so you can reinstall it later.
Cut away the old O-rings. Apply nontoxic, heatproof plumber’s grease to the new O-rings. Slide the O-rings over the cartridge or faucet body to the same position.
Some faucets have a locking nut you’ll have to remove as well.
If the cylinder does not lift easily, try cleaning its edges with a few drops of distilled white vinegar. If that still doesn’t work, you can get a special extraction tool for this purpose from a plumbing store. [15] X Research source
Take the old seals to a hardware store to ask for replacement. s
