Quick Solutions for Dripping Faucets

The kitchen or bathroom faucet continually dripping can be very annoying. We found a few temporary fixes for dripping faucets that are quick and easy solutions.  We recommend trying these to fix the dripping faucets before you call a plumber.

Within minutes you could have your faucets working perfectly again.  There is always that chance something goes wrong and you end up with more problems than before.  You don’t want to waste time and money replacing parts that don’t need to be fixed. So what do you do?

What Causes Dripping Faucets?

The main culprits of the dripping faucet are simply loose washers or worn seals. Old parts are bound to have some wear and tear, but chewing gum and putty can often help repair minor leaks. This is done by repairing small cracks in a rubber seal.

Simply apply a dab of putty to where you see the leak, wipe away any excess with your finger. If there is a noticeable improvement it would be best to change out the old part before trying something even more extreme like using epoxy glue- which should only be used as an absolute last resort because it’s hard to remove if applied incorrectly.

Turn Off Water Before Temporary Repairs For Dripping Faucets!

The first thing you should do is turn your water off. This will help prevent any further damage to the faucet. Next, try adjusting the handle on the top of the faucet. Sometimes this will fix the problem by simply re-routing the water flow around a damaged washer.

If that doesn’t work or you want a quick temporary fix you can purchase rubber washers from almost any hardware store for less than $1. These are designed especially for diverter handles and are specifically made to fit over small stems such as those found in most kitchen sinks and bathroom faucets with separate hot/cold knobs.

You Don’t Always Have to Replace Parts

Before replacing your worn-out parts you may want to consider using a plumber‘s putty (the yellow stuff used to seal pipes) and wrapping it around the base of the stem.

The putty can be a temporary fix for parts that are simply loose or moving around, but splashing or constantly running water will eventually dissolve your putty leaving you with more leaking problems.

For some dripping faucets, there may not be any need to replace parts at all. If the handle is worn out but works fine then replacing it would just mean spending money unnecessarily.

By simply turning off the main water valve you can stop the flow of water to your entire home while trying various different repair methods until you have found one that works for you.

Easy Way to Temporarily Fix Dripping Faucets

There are multiple temporary fixes for dripping faucets that are quick and easy solutions such as re-routing the water flow.  As stated above, the first thing you want to do is turn off the water source.  Next, try adjusting the handle on the top of the faucet.  By simply re-routing the water flow around a damaged washer sometimes will fix the problem. If not, then it’s time for some temporary fixes for dripping faucets by using common household items such as putty and chewing gum.

Stop The Leak With Putty or Chewing Gum

One quick and easy solution is to use putty.  First, place a small pea-sized amount in between parts where there is no longer any seal from wear and tear. Wipe away any excess with your finger.  Next, turn your water source back on. 

Now, turn on your sink and check for any drips. If there is a noticeable improvement it would be best to change out the old part before trying something even more extreme like using epoxy glue.  Epoxy glue should only be used as an absolute last resort because it’s hard to remove if applied incorrectly.

Another good temporary fix for dripping faucets is to use chewing gum. Simply apply some chewing gum around the base where there may be a small gap in wear and tear.  Then, turn on your sink or fill up a glass of water and check for any drips.

Temporarily Fix the Dripping Faucets With Epoxy Glue

One of the temporary fixes for dripping faucets is to use epoxy glue.  This can help stop a faucet drip temporarily but is usually a last resort.  This is because of how long it can take to dry and achieve maximum strength. If you do decide to use epoxy make sure you apply a tiny amount in between parts where there is no longer any seal from wear and tear.

Fix a Dripping Faucet With Rubber Washers

Replacing a part can sometimes be tricky. This is only because we are dealing with water which means it’s often easy to make a mistake. Be extra careful when you have the main valve shut off and your faucet handle removed so that there is no chance of any additional leaks.

Rubber washers can be purchased at any hardware store for less than $1. These are designed especially for diverter handles.  They are specifically made to fit over small stems such as those found in most kitchen sinks and bathroom faucets with separate hot/cold knobs.

When replacing the worn-out part you’ll want to remove the handle, then simply place a small amount of plumber’s putty around where parts make contact. Press the new rubber washer into place using your fingers, then screw back on the handle.

Repair a Leaky Kitchen Sink Tap Handle/Diverter

Sometimes you will find that your leaking faucet is due to more than just worn-out parts. Kitchen sink handles often wear down over time.  It’s not uncommon for a rubber washer to crack or break.

If the inner workings of your kitchen tap are showing then it’s probably best to replace the complete assembly. Do this by removing other components first.  This will allow you to access the handle without making a mess inside your sink cabinet.

This process will work with any style of kitchen tap.  Whether there is a sprayer or just an aerator and tailpiece (depending on what type of water system you have). However, the only difference between doing a full kitchen tap replacement versus simply replacing one small part like a broken rubber washer will be the amount of time it takes.

Replace The Faucet Handle

If there was already an issue with your faucet handle being worn down then you may need to replace just the handle itself.   You might not have to waste your time buying another entire assembly. With this in mind, remove everything from under where the handle attaches.  This includes the rubber gasket (usually worn out in places which is why it’s often the first part you should replace) and the compression nuts.

Stem leaks are usually caused by a bad or cracked rubber washer.  It could also be due to other parts wearing out after years of use. If removing everything from under your faucet doesn’t help then you may need to get new O-rings.  Make sure you reattach everything properly before using the plumber’s putty around any connections that might leak.  There shouldn’t be any water being seeped through.

When to Call a Plumber for Leaky Faucets

If you are having problems with turning off your bathroom faucet then make sure to check that you have the main water valve shut off (usually located near the street).  If it’s under your sink then just turn off the hot and cold valves there. Don’t forget to open a drain before beginning any repair work on your own.   If you don’t, you may cause even more damage when water is forced through parts that can only handle being full of water! When in doubt, contact a local professional plumber to fix your leaky faucet before it causes water damage.