Bathroom Faucet Stopped Working [Top Fix]

This article is for you if your bathroom faucet stopped working. Diagnosing faucet problems in your bathroom is easy once you understand that no matter what type of faucet you have, faucets are designed to do just one thing and that is to control the flow of water coming into your bathroom.

When diagnosing potential faucets problems in your lavatory, the other thing you must realize is that all faucets have some type of valve mechanism along with other moving parts that must be sealed to prevent your faucet from leaking.

So besides occasionally cleaning out built up mineral deposits, the major cause of faucet maintenance problems in your bathroom will be the replacement of seals and valve components that have worn out or lost their resiliency over time. I have written this article to be a guide if your bathroom faucet stopped working at any time.

Diagnosing faucet problems in your bathroom is done either to replace or repair your existing faucet plumbing fixtures. When diagnosing potential faucets problems in your lavatory, you must realize is that all faucets have some type of valve mechanism along with other moving parts that must be sealed to prevent your faucet from leaking. Use these common faucets problems as a guide to help you diagnose any faucet problems you may encounter in your bathroom.

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Diagnosing faucet problems in your bathroom is done either to replace or repair your existing bathtub faucet or sink faucet fixtures. The four major types of faucets are disc, ball, cartridge and stem faucets. On stem faucets, the most prevalent problem is the washer wearing out. For ball, cartridge and disc faucets, if they leak, the faucet problem is usually due failure in the washer or cartridge. It’s usually a good idea when you purchase a new faucet to keep the pull apart diagrams the normally come with your faucet model showing how the faucet was assembled.

These schematics will come in handy if you have to diagnose any faucet problems in your bathroom. If you didn’t purchase your bathroom faucet yourself, you may get lucky by searching the manufacture’s website to find a break down schematic you can use when repairing your leaky bathroom faucet. You can purchase your replacement parts at most well stocked home hardware or home improvement stores in your area.

Below you will find common bathroom faucet problems, use the problem-solving information to diagnose the faucet problems you are facing so you can determine whether you have to repair or replace the leaky faucet in your bathroom:

Water Comes Out Of Faucet Crooked (When Water Barely Comes Out Faucet)

If your water flow seems unnaturally slow, or water barely comes out faucet, the likely cause is the aerator or your faucet filter screen may be plugged. The solution for restricted water flow on your faucet is to replace or clean the filter screen.

How to Fix a Leaky Faucet in Bathroom

Have you ever experienced issues like leaks at base of faucet when turned on, bathroom faucet leaking from center hole, or faucet leaking at base? A leak at your faucets spout may indicate that the washer has become brittle (hard), somehow damaged or is just simply old and worn out. The solution to a leak problem at the faucet spout is to replace the seal or the washer.

When your stopper allows water to drain when it is closed, this could mean that the drain or valve is damaged. The solution to this faucet problem is to smooth it out or replace the valve. The other possible causes are the lifter is misadjusted or it could simply mean that the pop-up valve is dirty. If it is the lifter, then readjust so it closes properly. If the problem is a dirty pop up valve then clean it to make sure all parts are functioning freely.

If your stopper lever leaks, this could mean you have a loose lever nut so tighten the nut. Another possible cause for your stopper lever leaking is defective packing which means you have to replace the packing. Let’s not rule out a damaged or worn pivot ball because this can also happen. The solution here would be to replace the packing and ball.

A leak at your faucets swivel spout indicates that the o-ring has become hard, worn or is damaged, in which case the o-ring must be replaced.

When it comes to a loose faucet, it could be one of three problems. The first thing to look at would be to look and see if your faucet has a loose shank nut and tighten it. Or you could check to see if your faucet has a damaged rubber or metal shank washer, at which time, the washer will need to be replace.

When diagnosing bathroom faucet problems, a leak at the faucet lever or knob indicated that the o-ring or stem packing has become hard, worn or damaged and the solution to this faucet problem would be to replace the o-ring or packing.

If after examining your twin-faucet knobs you noticed they are misaligned, this problem generally means that your seals are worn or you installed the incorrect assembly, in which case you need to remove the knobs and either align or replace the faucet parts.

How to Fix Leaking Supply Line / Hose (Toilet, Under Sink, Washing Machine)

A leak in your supply line could mean a damaged slip-joint washer or a loose nut, so the solution to this faucet problem is either replace the washer or tighten the nut.

If you have a hose attached to your bathroom faucet and you notice that the water flow in your hose is cut severely, the first thing you should do is check your aerator or nozzle to make sure they are not plugged, if so clean or replace. There could also be a kink in the hose restricting the flow. Also check to make sure you don’t have a defective diverter valve that needs to be replaced.

Hopefully this small chart will help you diagnose any faucet problems you may encounter in your bathroom and if all fails, well maybe it’s time to replace that old outdated faucet anyway to spruce up your loo.

Here’s a guide to replacing bathroom sink faucet and drain.

8 Easy Do-It-Yourself Steps to Replacing Bathroom Sink Faucet and Drain

For the renovation newbie, replacing bathroom sink faucet and drain may seem like a daunting task but it is much easier than you might think. Not only can it be a great addition to your bathroom renovation project but you can also modernize the look of your vanity by simply replacing your old faucet with a new, more contemporary design.

Before you begin this bathroom renovation project, you will need a basin wrench for this project. This is a wrench used for plumbing, which has a long metal arm with a curved, pivoting claw at one end and a T-handle at the other end. The claw has teeth that run along the inner side of the curve. It grips the nut on the faucet and is meant to be used in places that are difficult to reach.

Follow these simple steps to installing your new bathroom sink faucet and drain

Step One – Select the right faucet

There are hundreds of different types and styles you can choose from for your new faucet. However, it is important to select a faucet that will fit your sink as well as fit into your overall bathroom theme.

All faucets have two threaded posts that will fit down through the holes of the sink. Nuts and washers secure these posts underneath the sink. The center set, which is the distance between the holes, needs to match up between the holes on your sink.

Almost all bathroom faucets and sinks use a standard 4-inch post and hole spacing. It is usually 4 inches between the centers of the faucet posts and between the holes in the sink. Almost all faucets are universal and will fit your existing sink unless it is old or is an unusual style. Take a quick measurement before you buy just to be sure it will fit.

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If there is a single-set faucet, it will utilize individual pieces that each fit into one hole in the sink. Some sinks have an odd center to center spacing. In this situation, you will likely need to use a single-set faucet because they interconnect with hoses underneath the sink. They can easily adapt to hole spacing that is more or less than normal.

Step Two – Shut off the water

The very first thing you must do is shut off the water. You can do this by using the stop valves under the sink. These stop valves supply and control hot and cold water to the individual faucets.

Step Three – Confirm the valve closure

Once you close the stop valve, be sure to check that they have shut off the water flow completely. In some older valves, the valves have been known to stick in a partially open position. If this happens, just shut off the water flow to the entire house. Plus, if the valves do not close completely, you will want to replace the valves, as well as the faucet.

Step Four – Remove water lines

Once the water is off, you will need to remove the water lines between the faucet and the two stop valves. The vertical arm that comes down through the faucet and connects to the horizontal drain stopper arm needs to be detached. To do this, just loosen the thumbscrew or spring clip on the stopper arm and slide the two arms apart.

Step Five – Now it is time to use your wrench.

Lay on your back under the sink. Position the wrench with its claw side up, toward the faucet until the claw wraps itself around the nut that is holding the faucet under the sink. The claw pivots after it grasps the nut. You will then be able to put pressure on the handle and turn the nut until it comes off. When it is time to put the nut back on, all you have to do is flip the claw to the other side of the wrench shaft and use it in reverse.

Step Six – Removing old faucet

Remove both of the nuts and the two washers. Remove the old faucet.

Step Seven – Install the new faucet

Now it is time to put in your new faucet. If your new sink needs to be assembled, you should do so according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Slip in your new faucet, put on the nuts and washers, and tighten from below with the basin wrench.

Step Eight – Connect water lines

Connect the stopper arm and the water lines. Turn the valves back on, and your new faucet is ready to be used. That wasn’t so bad. Next time you have the urge to remodel your bathroom, it will be just like riding a bike, so grab that basin wrench and let’s get started.

Has your bathroom faucet stopped working? Here’s a guide to fixing.