Bathroom Sink Leaking From Faucet

A leaky bathroom sink faucet is a common plumbing problem that can waste water and increase your water bill. While some leaks are easy to fix, others may require the help of a professional plumber. If you're not sure how to fix the leak yourself, it's always best to call a plumber for help.

Causes of Bathroom Sink Faucet Leaks

There are several different things that can cause a bathroom sink faucet to leak. Some of the most common causes include:

Worn-out washers: The washers in your faucet are responsible for creating a watertight seal. Over time, these washers can become worn or damaged, which can cause water to leak from the faucet.
Damaged O-rings: The O-rings in your faucet are also responsible for creating a watertight seal. Like washers, O-rings can become worn or damaged over time, which can lead to leaks.
Loose connections: The connections between the different parts of your faucet can also become loose over time. This can cause water to leak from the faucet, even if the washers and O-rings are in good condition.
Cracked or damaged faucet body: In some cases, the faucet body itself can become cracked or damaged. This can cause water to leak from the faucet, even if the washers and O-rings are in good condition and the connections are tight.

How to Fix a Bathroom Sink Faucet Leak

If you're comfortable working on plumbing fixtures, you may be able to fix a bathroom sink faucet leak yourself. However, if you're not sure how to do it, it's always best to call a plumber for help.

Here are the steps on how to fix a bathroom sink faucet leak:

Turn off the water supply to the faucet. There should be two shut-off valves under the sink, one for the hot water and one for the cold water. Turn both valves clockwise to turn off the water supply.
Open the faucet to release any remaining water in the faucet and pipes.
Remove the aerator. The aerator is the small screen at the end of the faucet spout. Use a wrench or pliers to unscrew the aerator.
Remove the packing nut. The packing nut is the large nut that holds the faucet handle in place. Use a wrench to loosen the packing nut and remove it.
Remove the handle. The handle is attached to the faucet stem by a screw. Use a screwdriver to remove the screw and remove the handle.
Remove the faucet stem. The faucet stem is the long, cylindrical part of the faucet that controls the flow of water. Use a wrench to loosen the stem nut and remove the stem.
Inspect the washer and O-ring. The washer is a small, rubber washer that sits on the bottom of the faucet stem. The O-ring is a small, rubber ring that sits around the top of the faucet stem. If either the washer or O-ring is worn or damaged, replace it.
Reassemble the faucet. To reassemble the faucet, simply reverse the steps you took to disassemble it. Be sure to tighten all of the connections snugly.
Turn on the water supply to the faucet and check for leaks. If there are no leaks, you have successfully fixed the faucet.

When to Call a Plumber

If you're not comfortable working on plumbing fixtures, or if you've tried to fix the leak yourself but it's still leaking, it's best to call a plumber for help. A plumber will be able to quickly and easily diagnose the problem and fix the leak.