Lesson 1Personal safety, isolating area, and turning off water supplies (individual shutoffs and main shutoff)Learn personal protection, how to close off work area, and right way to shut individual fixtures or main supply to stop flooding and accidents.
Gloves, eye protection, and kneepadsClearing and securing the work areaLocating fixture shutoff valvesFinding and operating main shutoffLockout and communication practicesLesson 2Testing after repair: slow-open restore, visual inspection for drips, dye test, and monitoring for staining recurrenceLearn how to bring faucet back after fix, using slow open, visual checks, and dye or paper tests to confirm joints, valves, and cabinet stay dry over time.
Slowly reopening shutoff valvesVisual inspection of joints and seamsUsing tissue or paper to spot weepingDye tests for subtle cabinet stainingShort and long interval rechecksLesson 3Preventive measures and communicating residual risks and recommendation for long-term replacementLook at stop maintenance steps, how to tell remaining risks to people, and when to suggest planned changes or full fixture replace to avoid repeat leaks and cabinet harm.
Routine inspection and cleaning scheduleExplaining remaining leak risks to clientsWhen to suggest hose or valve upgradesPlanning for future faucet replacementDocumenting findings and advisoriesLesson 4Step-by-step faucet disassembly: shutoff, depressurize lines, remove handles, bonnet/nuts, cartridge/valve removalFollow safe, ordered faucet take apart, from shut off and release pressure to remove handles, trim, and hold hardware without stripping threads or scratching finishes.
Shutting off and tagging water suppliesDepressurizing and draining faucet linesRemoving handles and decorative capsLoosening bonnet nuts and retaining clipsExtracting cartridges or valve stemsLesson 5Systematic diagnosis: identifying faucet type (compression, cartridge, ceramic disc, ball) and locating leak sourceUnderstand how to spot faucet build, read wear marks, and trace water paths to find true leak place, separating faucet faults from supply, drain, or wet inside cabinet.
Recognizing compression faucet componentsIdentifying cartridge and ceramic disc faucetsBall faucet internals and common leak pointsTracing leaks from spout, body, or baseDifferentiating faucet leaks from supply leaksLesson 6Detecting and locating the cabinet stain source: supply line vs drain vs condensationBuild skills to track true start of cabinet stains and wet, separating supply leaks from drain seep or harmless wet on cold pipes and fixtures.
Reading stain patterns and drip tracksChecking supply valves and connectionsTesting P-trap and tailpiece jointsIdentifying condensation on cold linesUsing moisture meters and inspection mirrorsLesson 7Repairing small drain leaks: tightening slip joints, replacing washers/gaskets, and sealing techniquesFocus on check and fix small drain leaks under sinks, including slip joint tight, washer and gasket change, and sealant use while keeping trap straight and slope right.
Inspecting slip joints for mineral tracksTightening nuts without cracking fittingsReplacing beveled and flat drain washersApplying sealant at threaded jointsVerifying trap alignment and fallLesson 8If persistent leakage or corrosion: replacing faucet assembly and steps to select compatible replacementUnderstand when ongoing leak, pitting, or rust makes fix not worth it, and learn how to pick and put in matching new faucet that fits sink holes and supply joins.
Recognizing nonrepairable faucet damageMeasuring sink holes and mounting styleMatching supply connections and adaptersChoosing finish and spout configurationPlanning removal and installation stepsLesson 9Protecting cabinets and contents, using bucket/towels, and electrical safety around wet areasLearn how to shield cabinets, things inside, and near electric from water during check and fix, using hold, clean up, and safe ways around cords, outlets, and machines.
Using buckets, towels, and plastic sheetingMoving and protecting stored cabinet itemsKeeping cords and power strips off floorOutlet and GFCI considerations near sinksDrying and deodorizing damp cabinetsLesson 10Repairing small supply line leaks: tightening fittings, replacing flexible supply hoses, and using new washers or ferrulesFocus on check and fix small supply line leaks under sinks, including tight ways, change flexible hoses, and new ferrules or washers without stress on valves or fixtures.
Inspecting braided and plastic supply hosesCorrectly tightening compression fittingsReplacing flexible supply lines safelyRenewing ferrules and flat washersChecking shutoff valve outlet connectionsLesson 11Replacing washers/cartridges/O-rings and correct lubrication/installation techniquesMaster remove and change faucet washers, cartridges, O-rings, including right grease, place, and tight so moving parts seal good without stick, squeak, or early wear.
Removing old cartridges and stems safelyMatching new cartridges and repair kitsInstalling and seating new rubber washersSelecting and applying plumber’s greaseAvoiding O-ring twisting and pinchingLesson 12Reassembling faucet, torque guidance to avoid overtightening, and restoring water slowlyCover right faucet put back order, thread protect, and tight control so parts sit firm without crack trim, then bring water slow while watch for new or moved leaks.
Reinstalling cartridges and stems in orderAligning handles, escutcheons, and trimTorque guidance to avoid overtighteningProtecting decorative finishes and sealsGradual restart and functional checksLesson 13Tools and materials: basin wrench, adjustable wrench, replacement cartridges/washers/O-rings, plumber’s grease, PTFE tape, supply line fittingsLearn how to pick, check, and safe use main hand tools and materials for faucet and cabinet leak work, including right sizes, protect products, and avoid damage to finishes or bend fittings.
Choosing basin and adjustable wrenchesUsing PTFE tape and pipe joint compoundSelecting replacement cartridges and washersPicking O-rings and plumber’s greaseSupply line fittings and adapter choices
