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Stopping a stern leak

If you have a leaky handle rather than a drippy sink faucet, the water is leaking past the stem packing or the washer. Older sink faucets have a string-like substance wrapped around the handle stem to hold the water back. The packing eventually wears and water can sneak between the stem and packing. Newer sink faucets stop the water leak with an o-ring or washer. Older sink faucets with packing are most likely to leak. Here's how to fix them:
1. Turn off the water.
2. Remove the handle from the shaft.
3. Tightening the packing nut. Turn it clockwise about an X turn. This may be all that is necessary to stop the leak.
4. If tightening the packing nut doesn't work, loosen the packing nut with slip-joint pliers or a wrench, and then unscrew the nut by hand and remove it.
5. Remove the old packing from around the stem.
6. Replace the old with new packing. You can find new packing in the plumbing department of hardware stores and home centers.
7. Reassemble the sink faucet.
Keep a supply of various sized o-rings, packing washers, packing rope, and washers handy to save you a trip to the store at the first sign of a leak

If your sink system requires professional plumbing repair help because it doesn't drain, it's leaking or you have any other problems, just call our toll free number and let us take care of the rest returning your sink system to perfect working order. Call us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to schedule an appointment for your Seattle plumbing repair. We will do our best to set up a plumbing repair appointment for a time that is most convenient for you:

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