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Remove Packing Nut and Old Seals — Replace O-rings and Washers

Beginner2 hours

Part of project

How to Repair a Leaky Faucet: A Step-by-Step DIY Guide · Step 3 of 4

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In this video

After removing the handle, unscrew the large packing nut surrounding the faucet stem. This may be done by hand or with pliers/wrench. Once the nut is off, use a small screwdriver to carefully pry out the old packing gasket from inside the faucet body and remove the old O-ring from the nut you just removed. Inspect them for cracks and wear.

Goal: Inspect the Seals

  • Note the color of your packing nut. In the video, white nuts are right-hand threaded and tan nuts may be left-hand threaded.

Used in this video

  • Pliers (Tool Type: Pliers) · optional — Gripping and turning the packing nut if it's too tight to remove by hand.
  • Screwdriver (Tool Type: Screwdriver) — Prying out the old packing gasket.
  • Socket Wrench Set (Tool Type: Hand Tools, Size/Capacity: 7/8-inch socket) · optional — Unscrewing the packing nut.
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FAQs

Is this a truly beginner-friendly project, and can it really be done in two hours?

Yes, this is considered a beginner-level DIY project, especially for common leaks caused by worn washers or O-rings. While the estimated time is 2 hours, it can vary depending on your faucet type, the age of the faucet, and how easily components can be disassembled. Patience is key, but most first-timers find it manageable.

What tools are absolutely essential for this repair, and what if I don't have them all?

You'll definitely need a flathead screwdriver (like the Milwaukee 8 in. x 3/8 in. Slotted Flat Head) for the decorative cap, a Phillips head or another flathead for the handle screw, and an adjustable wrench for the packing nut on compression faucets. If you don't have the exact brand, ensure you have appropriate sizes to avoid stripping screws or nuts. Having a small cup for removed parts is also helpful.

Why is turning off the water supply so important, and how do I do it correctly?

Turning off the water supply is the most crucial first step to prevent flooding and allow safe work on the faucet. Locate the shut-off valves directly under the sink and turn them clockwise until they are tight. If your sink doesn't have individual shut-off valves, you'll need to turn off the main water supply to your house, usually found near your water meter or main pipe entry.

How do I know which specific O-rings and washers I need for my particular faucet model?

The most reliable method is to remove the old O-rings and washers and take them to a hardware store to match their size and material. If your faucet has a visible brand and model number, note it down, as this can help you find a specific repair kit. Many stores also sell universal O-ring and washer assortment kits which can be very useful for matching sizes.

Transcript
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one's probably been in say 20 years 20 years has any service done ok so here's here's the nut this is a right hand tight nut so when you turn it right it tightens they're also left hand and I think those are usually tan so you might see a white one which is the right hand tighten or a tan one which would be a left hand tighten this one at least was him loose that alone can be your source so you could tighten this down and see if that stops your leak by putting the handle back on screaming back down turning the stem see if that stops your leak I'm gonna actually remove this which you can remove with a pair of pliers or this is actually if you already have your socket set out 7/8 so a 7/8 socket fits this knot I'll take it out when I'm looking for is the o-ring and gasket I want to see the condition of those if those look bad that's probably going to be the the issue okay here's the o-ring don't even look too bad now there's the gasket that already looks a little dried out let me try to take it out of there yep okay you see it's it's got cracks in it chunks missing broken so that is definitely not going to make a good seal and that's most likely the source of our our problem I did grab a repair kit here the house - all the parts we need to go ahead and make it actually has many of the parts for the kind of tan one there is the left hand tighten nut we have the white one so that's the right hand tighten nut and many other components you can actually rebuild you can remove this entire stem and then there's some additional gaskets in there that you can rebuild we're just gonna do this nut and see if that works for us so I grabbed

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