One of the things many people take for granted is that when they decide to use the sink, the faucet will work as planned. Unfortunately, like any piece of equipment, faucets break. Additionally, deciding to replace a faucet can be a purely aesthetic decision too. If you find yourself dealing with a faucet repair or replacement job, this is certainly one case where it is important that you “handle it with care”! Before you dive in and begin work on this project, keep the following tips in mind and you can avoid a faucet fiasco:
- Turn off the Water – This piece of information should be obvious, but sometimes we all forget the most obvious advice. If you fail to turn off the water first, you could find yourself with a geyser on your hands. Always shut off water at the source before beginning any faucet repair or replacement task.
- Check the Washers – If your reason for changing the faucet is a simple leak, check the washers first. It might be that replacing these could fix the problem. Old, incorrectly sized or cracked washers will often cause leaks and replacing them can save you quite a bit of money. Most local hardware stores will carry the exact parts you need. Be sure to collect as much information as possible prior to heading out to the store to save yourself multiple trips.
- Use the Right Wrench – Trying to remove the nuts and bolts with a wrench that does not fit will cause you stress and difficulty. It may be worth a little extra expense to purchase an adjustable wrench that will fit your hardware every time. The best thing about this is that you will be able to use this wrench again on future projects too.
- Do Not Skimp – If your faucet set is working well and one handle, for instance, is broken, you may be tempted to replace just that handle. Replacing just one handle can lead to ongoing issues. Unless you can match the set exactly, you will have a set that is slightly “off” and will likely give you more problems in the future.
- All Handles Are Not the Same – Today, there are more handle styles available than ever before. Before you replace with the same handle you had before, be sure to check out the different options. You may find handles that are more handicap accessible, easier for use by you and your family or energy efficient. Sometimes, innovation is a beautiful thing.
If the idea of faucet repair seems like a bit much for you to tackle alone, do not fret! Even a faucet or handle repair is a rather big job to do alone. A-1 American can help you with tasks just like this as well as larger and more complex tasks, too. Our teams of experienced faucet repair plumbers are experienced and offer great results and competitive prices. Call or contact A-1 today and let us help you get a handle on your fearsome faucet.
