Tips Before Repair

• Before detaching or uninstalling any faucet parts, protect yourself by shutting off the water and the power to the hot water heater. This will avoid potential health problems. Closing the drain is also an important step in preparation, because closing it can help prevent parts of the drain from falling down while doing your repair. It's easy to cover the drain by using a piece of cloth.
  
  Before beginning, you'll also want to tape the mouth of your wrench to avoid scratching the fixture. Have a tray or box ready to hold the parts you'll be removing. Prepare a sketch or drawing to guide you later on when reassembling all parts. You can use white vinegar and a soft pad to remove any grime or deposits on the faucet.
  
  

Remove the Faucet Handle

• Before you start, remove the cap or covering attached your faucet screw if you have one. This cap is a common feature of faucets, especially of the newer models. It should easily be removed. Be careful in handling them, though. Since they are typically made of plastic, they can be damaged or easily scratched. For additional protection aside from the taped wrench, cover your tools with a soft rag.
  
  Removing the screws from the stem assembly and escutcheon is also important because you'll need to remove those to get access to the faucet. The stem assembly is responsible for controlling the volume of water and its temperature when dispensed in spouts and heads. It can be detached with a socket wrench. Taking apart the faucet is important when dealing with leaks, because often dirt or corroded parts cause your faulty fixture. By taking it apart, you can clean all cavities, handles, and rods with water and mild soap. You will also get a chance to look at all of the parts, such as the rod. If your parts look corroded, you'll know you need to replace them with new ones.
  
  

Replacing the Stem Parts

• The faucet itself isn't the only possible reason for your leak. You may need to replace the stem part too. To do this, unscrew the nuts and stem from the bonnet. If the stem part doesn't look corroded, it may not need to be replaced but just greased instead. If it looks OK, use WD40 or other lubricating grease to grease the stem, washer, threads and nuts. After everything has been greased, reattach the stem to the bonnet, and then tighten firmly so you don't introduce new leaks. If your parts look damaged or old and you don't think grease will be enough, it is also relatively inexpensive to replace old washers with new ones or to replace the escutcheon.