Expert: speedball1 - 3/7/2004

Question
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Tom,
You are great!! I have good news I was able to follow your directions and slow the drip down but not stop it all together. I have no clue as to the brand of faucet but it has 2 handles, is dripping cold water and is an original which makes it about 25 years old(not bad huh?). I am known for many things but handy is, sadly, not one of them. However,if you are willing to give direction I will do my best to follow and I am pretty good at that. Thank you, you never let me down!!Followup To
Question -
My bathroom sink has a faucet that is continually dripping. Actually it is more like a steady stream. I tried turning the water off under the sink to no avail. I think that one of the handles has a screw that is stripped because the handle doesn't catch when it is turned. Until I can afford a plumber, is there something I can do to stop the dripping? Not only is it a waste of water but the water here is very hard and is starting to stain the sink. Help!! Thank you for your time and efort!
Answer -
Good morning Ann,  First off let's shut the running faucet off.  The shut off under the sink is called a angle stop.  If the handle is stripped and just spins around I see if I can remove the screw that secures the handle and pull the handle off.  Then I take a pair of pliers and turn the stem clockwise untill the water shuts off.   To instruct you on how to repair the faucet I need to know the brand name.  One handle or two knobs?  Leaking hot or cold water? (You have to know this in order to know what angle stop to shut off)  About how old is the faucet?  Get back to me with the information I need and if you're handy with tools we'll fix that pesky leak of yours.  Cheers,  Tom

Answer
Hey Ann,  Even if you don't have tools or are all that handy the directions I give are easy to follow for a,  (take your pick) Hubby, boyfriend, neighbor a or a handy man.  since you can't shut off the angle stops shut the water off at the house stop.  If there is a cover plate you will need to remove the handle. Unscrew thescrewon top of the handle and pull it up and off.  Now if there is a cover plate it will be secured with a knurled nut. Remove the plate and you will find a nut just under the handle.  This is called the bonnet packing nut.  Unscrew this nut and back out the stem and washer assembly.  Check the seat by running your fingernail around it.  If it is nicked or rough the faucet must be replaced or it will just tear up the washer again. If the seat is OK take the stem and washer assemble in to a plumbing shop or a Home Depot and ask them to replace the washer.  Reassemble by screwing the stem in untill it seats.  Now back it off 1/2 turn and tighten the bonnet packing nut and replace the cover plate and handle. Turn the water back on and give yourself a pat on the back.  You have Just saved yourself a hefty repair bill. Hope this helps and thank you for rating my reply.  Tom