Troubleshooting Bathroom Faucet Issues

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After years of reliable service, even the most durable bathroom faucet will eventually develop some minor issues. There’s no need to call a plumber to get a bathroom faucet working like new again. Tackle these four common bathroom faucet issues with some DIY tips from Kingston Brass.

Leaks and Drips

Water dripping from the faucet tip indicates a dirty aerator screen or damage to the valve under one or both of the taps. Change the screen on the faucet end first, then try removing the tap handles and replacing the valves. Loose valves don’t let the tap close completely, allowing water to escape and raise monthly bills.

Water puddling around the base of the faucet is a little more complicated. Wrap some toilet paper around the middle of the faucet’s neck. If it gets wet, the water runs back to the base from a leaking end of the spout. Dry paper means the leak is coming from damaged taps or the faucet itself instead. Replacing the inner cartridge and/or the O-rings on the faucet should help; otherwise, the fixture needs replacement.

Noisy Taps

Squeals and squeaks from turning taps are easy to fix with some new rubber washers. Unscrew the handles and look for a flat rubber washer between the valve and the handle. Only older faucets feature this kind of seal, so completely replacing the bathroom faucet is another way to fix the noise problem permanently.

Lack of Pressure or Spraying

Bathroom faucet aerators eventually either become thickened by rust or clogged with debris from the water supply. This leaves the faucet either dribbling out a stream of low-pressure water or spraying a mist out at odd angles. Unscrew the faucet’s end and replace it with a matching or universal aerator. Cracks and damage to the faucet that leave water spraying out anywhere else can’t be fixed and require replacement of the fixture.