Hellllllllllp...the cold tap on our bathroom hand basin is sometimes OK, sometimes has just a trickle, and sometimes no water comes out at all.We are 2 hard up middle aged ladies,is it anything we can DIY please, does anyone know. Thank you.
COMMUNITY FORUM
Kat:
It will depend on the tools you have and your mechanical ability. If you have a pair of water pump pliers, a phillips and regular screw drivers and an adjustible wrench, you can typically pull apart most faucets (unless they are corroded). Every faucet is different, as there are about 5,000 types and brands. The best thing to do is to check out from the library the Black and Decker home plumbing repair book. It will take you through a basic disassemble of a faucet.
The problem with your faucet (most likely) is dirt and debris blocking the supply to the faucet or the washer on the faucet has come loose and is not opening properly. In either case, you will have to shut off the water to the faucet, remove the handle to the faucet, then remove the bonnet below the handle and remove the stem or cartride. If the washer is off the end of the stem, you will have to probably retrieve it with a bent piece of wire, dental pick, or needle nose pliers. If the screw is off and has fallen into the supply tube, you will probably have to remove the supply tube to get it our or turn on the water to flush it out.
Once you determine what the problem is, you can get replacement parts at the hardware store and reassemble the faucet. Make sure to close off the opening to the drain in the sink, or you will loose little parts down the drain and turn your small job into a bigger one.
Good Luck
Raymond VinZant Plumbing Prof.
It will depend on the tools you have and your mechanical ability. If you have a pair of water pump pliers, a phillips and regular screw drivers and an adjustible wrench, you can typically pull apart most faucets (unless they are corroded). Every faucet is different, as there are about 5,000 types and brands. The best thing to do is to check out from the library the Black and Decker home plumbing repair book. It will take you through a basic disassemble of a faucet.
The problem with your faucet (most likely) is dirt and debris blocking the supply to the faucet or the washer on the faucet has come loose and is not opening properly. In either case, you will have to shut off the water to the faucet, remove the handle to the faucet, then remove the bonnet below the handle and remove the stem or cartride. If the washer is off the end of the stem, you will have to probably retrieve it with a bent piece of wire, dental pick, or needle nose pliers. If the screw is off and has fallen into the supply tube, you will probably have to remove the supply tube to get it our or turn on the water to flush it out.
Once you determine what the problem is, you can get replacement parts at the hardware store and reassemble the faucet. Make sure to close off the opening to the drain in the sink, or you will loose little parts down the drain and turn your small job into a bigger one.
Good Luck
Raymond VinZant Plumbing Prof.
