Reading the article you will know what types of faucets exist and how you can repair them.

Faucet Types and How to Repair Them

The information stated in this section can explicate and help to answer a number of questions with reference to plumbing projects. After getting acquainted you’ll be able, or at least know what must be done to safeguard well water in outlying rural areas, how to prevent water contamination, select appropriate pipes and equipment for your home and so forth.

Before repairing you should make clear what kind of faucet you deal with. Four types of faucets are in common use in the USA today: compression faucets

faucet_types Compression faucets
This type of faucets is traditional. It is characterized by presence of two handles: one for cold and one for hot water. Each handle contains a valve opening to allow water to flow and close to block the flow. A rubber washer on the base of the valve is used to block any small amounts of water from flowing and causing drips.

Cartridge faucets
This type of faucets is characterized by either one or two handles. A faucet contains a stem cartridge that moves up and down to control water flow. If the faucet of this type is a single handled, regulating water flow is provided by moving a cartridge up and down, controlling temperature – moving it left and right. Two handled cartridge faucets look similar to compression faucets, but there is a difference between them – here water flow stops without you having to actually "turn off" or compress a washer.

Ball faucets
This faucet is visibly different from previous. It has a single handle that attaches to the faucet base with a round base. Control has a ball shape and contains chambers for controlling water volume and mix hot and cold.

Disc faucets
This type of faucets uses the newest technology. Disc faucet is single handled and has a cylindrical shaped body. It contains ceramic discs that slide over each other to make control of flow and temperature.

Faucet Repair Basics
There are basic rules that will be helpful in repairing any type of faucet.
• Before doing anything, turn off the water to the faucet. There maybe individual water shut-off valves under the sink or you may need to shut off the main water supply for the house.
   • Open taps and let any water in the pipe drain out.
   • Put the drain stopper or a towel in the sink (in case you drop anything you don't want it going down the drain).
   • To make sure you get the right replacement parts, take any parts you remove from the faucet with you to the plumbing supply store. That way you'll be sure to get an exact match.