Repairing a leaky faucet usually requires replacing a washer. Conserving water and avoiding a professional plumber in one DIY home-improvement project? This video shows you how to fix a leaky faucet by replacing the washer.

Knowing how to fix a leaky stem faucet saves money, and the process is easy. A leaky stem faucet usually means that the packing is worn out or needs tightening. The packing (which looks like string) keeps water from leaking out around the stem. These faucets have no aerators and are found mostly in laundry rooms and outdoor sinks.

Cleaning clogged faucet aerators and sink sprayers help faucets function like new. Mineral deposits and sediment slow the water flow, so clean your faucet aerators or sink sprayers to get a full flow. The aerator screws onto the end of the faucet spout and typically has two screens inside that the water flows through.

Replace the sink trap to deal with buildup and clogged pipes that a plumber’s snake or plunger can’t fix. Replacing a sink trap is pretty quick work. You'll need groove-joint pliers, a bucket, and a replacement sink trap. (Take the old trap with you to the store to get an exact match.) If there is any chance that chemical drain cleaner has been used to clear this trap in the past, you must take extra precaution when working on the trap.

Removing a sink trap releases whatever is caught inside. If you know how to remove the sink trap you’ll be able to retrieve valuables that disappear down the drain. It’s happened to almost everyone:. The best rescue tactic is to remove the trap. Don’t run any water through the drain — water may flush it farther away.

With your pedestal sink on the wall, you can install the P-trap. The U-shape of this pipe is the trap that retains enough water to prevent sewer gases from entering the bathroom. You can adjust the P-trap, sliding it up and down on the pipe that leaves the sink drain. The other end of the P-trap can slide into and out of the fitting on the wall.

Today’s designs of two-handle faucets make installing one easier than ever. A hardworking bathroom faucet doesn’t have to be ordinary, but it does have to be installed properly. Some faucet designs use a rubber gasket to seal the joint between the base of the faucet and the sink. Others require that you place a bead of plumber’s putty around the perimeter of the faucet’s base.

The easiest and best way to install a faucet is before the sink is in place. If you install the faucet before installing the sink, you won’t have to strain or reach because everything is completely open. Most sinks come with factory-drilled holes along the back edge or lip. The number of holes should be equivalent to the number of holes needed for your faucet, so pay close attention when buying your faucet and sink.

After you have attached your faucet and water supply and set your sink, it’s time to connect the sink drain. Drain kits come in different materials and configurations, but installing them is a snap. Choose the kit with the configuration for your sink type, and you’re halfway home!You have a couple of choices for drain kits: chromed metal kits and PVC drain kits.