A leaky bathroom faucet can be quite frustrating especially if the house is so quiet and there is nothing you can hear except the continuous dripping. However, this faucet issue is easy to manage. With having the required tools and repair kit, paired with some handyman skills, this can be a DIY troubleshooting project.
Is your Delta bathroom faucet having leak problems and you are simply annoyed with it? This can be a sign that your faucet has damaged seats and springs that need replacement. Here is a step-by-step guide to fix the problem:
Note: The leak can come from either of these two sources: faucet handle and aerator. The first thing to do is check where the dripping comes from. And if you have separate faucets for cold and hot water, you need to check this as well. Shut off the valve for the cold water, if dripping continues, the problem is with the other faucet. Conversely, if it does not drip anymore when you turn off the valve for cold water, this is where the problem is.
Faucet Handle Leak
Step 1: Check under the sink and shut off both the valves for the cold and hot water. Turn on the faucets to ensure there is no more water coming out.
Step 2: Remove the cover on top of the faucet. Get the screwdriver or the Allen wrench, whichever is needed, and remove the screw so you can lift the handle.
Step 3: Check out the adjusting ring and the cap. If it is loose, tighten the nut that holds the faucet cartridge securely.
Seat and Spring Leak
Step 1: Follow Steps 1 and 2 in fixing leak that comes from the faucet handle.
Step 2: Remove the adjusting ring instead of tightening it. You will see the cap that is shaped like a dome and you will need to remove it. Get a piece of cloth to cover the cap and let you grip you with a set of pliers. With just enough pressure, unscrew and remove the cap.
Step 3: Remove the stem and the ball, followed by the cam and packing. If the leak is coming from this area, replacing the cam and packing will fix the leak. If not, proceed to the next step.
Step 4: You will find the seat and spring in the valve. These are just small pieces with the seat, being the one that is circular in shape. Underneath it is the spring. Remove these mechanisms using the Allen wrench.
Step 5: Replace these with the new seat and spring kit. Insert the kit into an Allen wrench to ensure proper placement of the seat and spring into the valve hole. Replace the ball assembly while seeing to it that the pin and valve are aligned to the ball slot.
Step 6: Replace the cam and packing while ensuring the tab in the cam is aligned with the valve slot.
Step 7: With one hand, screw the cap onto the valve and replace the adjusting ring. With the use of pliers, tighten it. Screw the handle back as well as the cover.
Step 8: Check if the problem is fixed by turning on the water supply.