A leaky faucet probably is for you only a vexing noise; actually, if not fixed, it wastes much water over time and increases your water bill. Fortunately, fixing a leaky faucet is rather easy and can be practically done within about 10 minutes with a few basic tools. Here is a fast step-by-step guide to help you fix it yourself.

Tools You'll Need:

Adjustable wrench or pipe wrench, Flathead screwdriver, Replacement parts: washer or O-ring depending on faucet, Plumber's tape - optional

Step 1: Shut the Water Supply

First things first: take your time to turn off the water supply to the faucet. The shut-off valves are usually under the sink and are sometimes behind the sink or cabinet. They work by turning clockwise to shut off the water. If you can't see the individual shut-off valves, that could mean you'll have to shut off the main water supply to your house.

Step 2: Block the Drain

Put a sink plug in the drain above your faucet handle, or throw a cloth over the drain to catch little parts that drop through. This will be saving your tool and parts that can easily fall in the drain while you are working.

Step 3: Dissemble the Faucet Handle

Remove the faucet handle by taking off whatever keeps it in place - be it some sort of decorative cap or screw, depending on your model. Gently pop this cap off using a flathead screwdriver. After the cap has been removed, take out the screw that actually holds the handle with either a wrench or screwdriver.

Step 4: Look at the Parts of the Faucet

Once you take off the handle, you should have access to the internal parts of the faucet. Quite often, you may discover that the leak is due either to a defective washer, an O-ring, or a valve seat. Check all of these for damage.

Washer: If this washer appears to wear out or is damaged in some other manner, you will have to replace it.

• O-ring: Commonly, a ring around the valve stem is usually checked for any crack or wear.
• Valve Seat: You may need to replace it or just clean if it shows signs of corrosion in the valve seat.

Step 5: Replace the Worn-Out Part

Once you have identified the leakage point and removed the broken part-washer or O-ring, or whatever head to the hardware store and get an exactly matching replacement piece. Place it in its position, tightening it up properly.

Step 6: Reassemble the Faucet

Now you have replaced the bad part, so assemble the faucet in the reverse order you disassembled it:
First of all return the valve stem or cartridge back inside the body of the faucet.

• Put the handle back and secure it with the screw that you removed.
• If a cosmetic cap was removed, replace it.
  

Step 7: Turn On the Water Supply

Turn the water supply on by slowly opening the shutoff valves counterclockwise. Then, slowly open the faucet to see whether the leaks are not yet fixed. If the faucet is still leaking, you may want to reconsider the parts once again or go to the steps which you may have missed.

Step 8: Test the Faucet

Turn the faucet on/off a few times. Make sure that the leak is no longer there anymore, and no other problems occurred.

Tips:

• If leakage persists from the faucet after either the washer or the O-ring has been replaced, the cause can be in the cleaning or replacement of the valve seat. Here, you will need the plumber's inspection.
• Wrap plumber's tape onto threaded parts for leak-free tight closure.

Follow these easy steps, and in just 10 minutes, that leaky faucet will be fixed. Along with the water you'll save from having a nonleaking faucet, thus saving you money in water bills, you'll feel great having handled the repair yourself.