Simple Fixes For Common Bathroom Faucet Issues
Do you have a bathroom faucet that's been giving you problems? Is it looking worn down? Does it make annoying sounds each time you turn it on to brush your teeth and wash your hands? Here, you'll find a few tips to help you fix the issues with your bathroom faucet.
Repair or Replace
Take a good look at your bathroom faucet – is it aging? Is the finish worn away? Does it have a cracked handle? Are the spout threads corroded, preventing you from removing it? If the faucet has been giving you problems and it's old, it's probably going to be easier and more affordable than you might think to replace it entirely. The work that you could put into repairing it could be better spent replacing it with a newer, better looking option.
Screeching Sounds
Does your faucet screech when you turn the water on? If so, the problem could be something as simple as a hardened washer. When water passes over the aged washer, it causes the sound. Pick up a seal replacement kit and replace the seals, and your sound problem should go away.
Squeaky Handle
Do the handles squeak when you turn them? If so, the threads have probably corroded or have become caked with hard water scale. To fix this issue, remove the handle, apply a generous amount of WD-40 and put the handle back on. Work it back and forth several times. This should do the trick.
Spit not Stream
If the faucet spits water instead of providing you with a steady flow of water, the aerator is probably clogged. The aerator is just a screen the screws onto the opening of the faucet. You should be able to unscrew the screen and replace it with a new one. If you can't get the aerator off, spray it with a bit of rust-breaking spray, give it a few minutes and try again. If you fail to get the piece off, pour some CLR cleaner in a bowl and hold the bowl so that the spigot is covered. Let it sit for a few minutes, turn the water on and see if the problem is fixed. If not, repeat it again. It might fix the problem, but if it doesn't, you'll need to replace the faucet entirely.
Start your search for a new faucet or for the parts that you need to replace to get the old one working as it should by checking local companies like Do-It-Ur-Self Plumbing & Heating Supply.