About Stem Faucets

When a faucet develops a leak -- most often, a drip from the spout or a leak around the base -- the problem is usually easy to fix. Very likely, you'll be able to purchase a repair kit for your type of faucet. Repair techniques vary from faucet to faucet, but in most cases you can easily do it yourself. When buying replacement parts, take the old unit to the store. If the faucet cannot be repaired, it is not difficult to replace it with a new one (see Replacing Faucets, Related Projects).

The first step is to identify the type of faucet you have. The anatomy drawings here and on Repairing cartridge faucets, Repairing rotating ball faucets, Repairing ceramic disk faucets, and Repairing gasketed cartridge faucets show you the various types.

The most common type is the seat-and-washer faucet, often called a compression faucet. All stem faucets have separate hot and cold controls. In its off position, the stem compresses a flexible washer on the stem into a beveled seat located in the faucet base, stopping the flow of water. As the washer wears, you have to apply more and more pressure to turn off the unit. That's when dripping usually begins. Two newer versions are types of washerless stem faucets -- cartridge and diaphragm. The cartridge type rotates rather than raising and lowering to control flow. It uses a rubber seal and O-rings. The diaphragm type uses a durable diaphragm instead of the flexible washer.