# Category : Plumbing articles

## Fixing a Leaking Washer Faucet

A dripping faucet is a source of torture, especially while you’re trying to sleep at night. It also adds to your water bill as all those unused drips go wasted down the drain. There’s no need to call in a plumber, though. Stop a washer faucet from leaking with just a few simple steps.

#### 1. Shut off the water supply

If there’s a shut-off valve under the faucet, cut the water supply from that point. If not, you have to shut the water off at the main shut-off valve. Turn off the hot water supply at the water heater.

#### 2. Disassemble the faucet

Remove the handle by loosening the screw. This screw is likely found under the decorative cap. The cap unscrews or pops off, depending on the type of faucet. Lift the handle off its stem and unscrew the packing nut. Remove the stem itself by rotating it.

#### 3. Inspect the stem

Look the stem over for signs of corrosion. If the threads are corroded or damaged, you need to replace the stem. Clean dirty threads before replacing the stem.

#### 4. Inspect the washer

Check the washer located on the bottom end of the stem for signs of wear or damage. If the washer appears worn or damaged, remove the brass screw holding it in place and install a new one. Be sure that the replacement is the same size and type of material.

#### 5. Look over the washer seat

If you find that you are having to replace washers often, it’s most likely that there is damage to the washer seat. The seat is located inside the faucet body. If there is damage or corrosion on the washer seat, it needs to be resurfaced or replaced.

#### 6. Reassemble the faucet

Once you have replaced the washer and resurfaced or replaced the seat, your faucet functions like new. Put the faucet back together by reversing the order in which you took it apart. Lubricate the threads with a little petroleum jelly or silicone grease. Turn the water back on when you finish and inspect for any further leaks.

Now more than ever, folks are looking for ways to save money. You are often able to stop a washer faucet from leaking with just a few parts from your local hardware store. Be sure to take the old parts to the store along with you to make sure the new ones are the same.

- Posted on 28 Jul 2014
- By admin
- In Home repair

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## How to Clean a Shower?

Cleaning a shower is not difficult, but it is one of the most neglected and seldom cleaned areas in the home. The bathroom gets a lot of traffic in most homes and the typical shower can get multiple uses a day. While it would seem as though the shower should be fairly clean due to the amount of hot water and soap that gets used, it actually is a breeding ground for soap scum, mildew and residue. With a good top to bottom cleaning and maintenance cleaning thereafter, a clean shower is yours.

#### What’s the Best Way to Start?

The first thing to tackle is the soap scum and residue that tends to build up. Begin by mixing equal parts of dish washing soap and white vinegar in a clean and empty spray bottle. The vinegar works as a catalyst to break down the scum while the soap serves as the solution to clean and remove the build-up. Spray the entire interior of your shower with the solution and allow it to sit for at least 30 minutes to penetrate the grime. Arm yourself with a scrub brush or sponge with a scrubbing surface and begin scrubbing in a circular motion, working from top to bottom. Be sure to scrub the handles and drain as well. After thoroughly scrubbing the entire interior of the shower, rinse well with warm water to remove all the suds and residue.

#### How Do I Clean the Glass Door?

After you have cleaned the surround, the next job is the glass door. This task uses the same two cleaning agents, white vinegar and dish washing soap, as well as a dish wand. Dish wands are readily available in the cleaning aisle at supermarkets and big box stores. Mix an equal amount of vinegar and soap in the wand, secure the cap and squeeze the handle to release the solution. Scrub in a circular motion from top to bottom. Rinse with warm water until the water runs clear and no soap or residue remains.

#### What If I Have a Shower Curtain?

If you have a shower curtain and liner rather than a glass door to enclose your shower, begin by removing the shower curtain liner and shower curtain. These can be easily washed in the washing machine with regular laundry detergent. Be sure to run the cycle with cold water to prevent shrinking the curtain or damaging the liner. Avoid putting it in the dryer and either line dry the liner and curtain or allow it to hang in your shower until dry.

#### How Can I Keep My Shower Clean?

To maintain a clean shower, simply use a shower squeegee daily on the shower walls and doors. This is best done after showering and it removes excess water and prevents soap scum build up.

Use this simple method to deep clean your shower. The trick is to keep it clean in between cleanings to prevent the soap scum and grime from building up in the first place.

- Posted on 28 Jul 2014
- By admin
- In House keeping

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## Replacing Exterior Faucets

Plumbing can be an intimidating subject for some homeowners. But others have learned through the years that they can take care of more plumbing issues than thought. Putting in or repairing exterior faucets may seem like one of the more easier home maintenance tasks, but the key to any home repair task is knowledge. Do your research before tackling exterior faucet replacement or repair.

### Overview

Exterior faucets are the faucets on the outside of a building. When you are searching for information about installing or repairing exterior faucets, an interchangeable term is outdoor faucets. Though exterior faucets are the most likely faucets to freeze in very cold weather, they are also easiest to protect. This article will mention a couple different solutions to protect faucets placed in such a vulnerable area.
Homeowners may also face the task of repairing or replacing exterior faucets for reasons other than cold weather at some point in the life of their house. These tasks can be taken care of by a careful, knowledgeable do-it-yourselfer with the help of useful exterior faucet products.

### Review

There are frost-proof faucets that can be bought from venues like hardware stores and departments, plumbing specialty stores, big-box home improvement centers, and even online. These frost-proof faucets can go by several names, including freezeless or frost-proof hose bib, sill cock or faucet.
When you have to replace an exterior faucet for whatever reason, you might want to look into getting a frost-proof model. Ask before you buy if you are unsure whether the faucet is frost-proof. One brand of exterior faucet is Moen, which has several styles available. The Moen Cold Outdoor 8 in. Sill Faucet at Home Depot has a frost-free design even though there is no mention of it in the name. Arrowhead Brass and Plumbing manufactures the 450 series frost-free standard lawn faucets. Simmons Manufacturing makes a no-lead frost-proof yard hydrant. This is a free-standing hydrant and provides water access year-round.

### Pros

Frost-proof exterior faucets will protect from the freezing conditions that could lead to burst pipes in wintertime. Regular outdoor faucets are susceptible to extreme cold temperatures because the connection between the supply pipe and the faucet is outdoors where the water traveling through the connection can easily freeze. Most frost-proof faucets are sold at a reasonable price, usually in the range of $25$35.

### Cons

Regular exterior faucets cost less than half the cost of frost-proof exterior faucets. You may find you have invested in a frost-free faucet when you could have simply bought a faucet covered specifically designed to insulate outdoor faucets in cold weather for a few dollars. Another con is you will need to take time to gather do-it-yourself information before you install an exterior faucet. You should call your local plumber to be sure of the plumbing regulations relating to exterior faucets in your area. Your supply pipes may need to be a certain diameter in size and you may need an approved shut-off valve and vacuum breaker. You should know plumbing regulations before buying a faucet because you may need special materials.

Replacing and maintaining exterior faucets are two of the many obligations of home ownership. Do-it-yourselfers should feel confident fulfilling these obligations themselves after they have learned all they need to know about exterior faucet plumbing. Don’t hesitate to use the advice of local plumbers and experts at the home improvement or hardware store of your choice. You will find exterior faucets and related parts at these stores so you can go home with the knowledge and the materials necessary to complete the task.

- Posted on 28 Jul 2014
- By admin
- In Home repair

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