Plumbing and Electrical Problems that You Can Fix Yourself

If you are having plumbing problems or electrical problems in your home it is possible to fix them yourself depending on the severity of the problem. Some problems such as sinks, drains, faucets and other parts of the household plumbing are most of the time the cause of household repair bills. Most faucet leaks are caused by worn out washers. This is the rubber or synthetic ring located inside the faucet. So what can you do if you have this problem? The first thing you will need to do is find a way to shut off the water flow to the sink. Usually there is a valve underneath the sink that will do this. If not, there is a main water valve into the house, and temporarily you can shut the whole water supply off. Then remove the screw that holds the faucet handle in place and lift it off. Underneath this is a "bonnet" or cap nut on which you will have to use a wrench to remove it. Now you can lift out the "spindle" which is the shaft going down into the faucet. Looking at the end of the spindle, you will see a rubber or fiber washer held in place by a screw. Remove this washer and replace it with a new one. They are very cheap at most hardware stores.