LITTLE ROCK — My outdoor faucet is dripping, even after I’ve tried to close it as tightly as possible. This doesn’t seem like something I should call a plumber to fix. Can you tell me what to do?
We turned to DIY Tips, based on articles in Family Handyman magazine.
“Most outdoor faucets, including the freeze-proof kind, have a washer at the end of the long valve stem,” said one such article. “Freeze-proof faucets are particularly prone to worn washers because when the faucet is turned off, it continues to drain for a few seconds.” That’s when people turn the faucet tighter and damage the rubber washer - and whether your faucet is freeze-proof or not, the washer is the likeliest cause of the problem.
Before you start the repair, turn off the faucet’s water supply.
Unscrew the handle and remove the packing nut. Use one pair of pliers to hold the faucet steady while loosening the nut with a second pair of pliers. By holding the faucet steady, you’ll avoid twisting the interior pipe (even hard copper pipe can be twisted).
Pull the stem out of the faucet. For removal, some stems have to be turned so that a key lines up with a slot; reattach the handle to turn and pull the stem.
Remove and replace the rubber washer on the stem end. If there are rubber O-rings on the stem, replace these, too. How to get the correct washer and Orings? Take the old ones along to a hardware store. Then put the faucet back together.
If I buy something using the Internet or mail order and have it shipped to me, do I or don’t I have to pay the Arkansas and county/city sales tax?
You are supposed to, although the sales tax is called by another name: consumer use tax. The clearest explanation is on the consumer use tax form (CU-1) itself. We quote:
“If you purchased taxable mer-chandise outside the state of Arkansas for use, storage, consumption or distribution within the state, a state and local consumer use tax may be due on the purchase price, including transportation charges. Due to the rapid increase in purchases being made through mail order, telephone, and the Internet, it has become a concern that individuals may not be aware of their obligation to report the consumer use tax on untaxed out of state purchases. Examples of merchandise subject to the consumer use tax include cassettes, CDs,books, furniture, jewelry, food and clothing.
“The use tax is a companion tax to the sales tax whose purpose is to not only raise revenue for the state, but more importantly to protect local merchants, who must collect sales tax, from the unfair advantage of out of state sellers who do not collect Arkansas’ sales tax. The use tax has been in effect since 1949.
“The use tax rate is the same as the sales tax rate, 6.00 percent for all transactions except food purchases which has a reduced rate of 2 percent plus the applicable city and/or county rates where the merchandise is delivered in the state. The tax applies to thepurchase price of the merchandise plus any shipping and handling charges that the merchant adds to your bill. If the total tax due is greater than $100 per month, the use tax report should be filed on a monthly basis. If the total tax due is $25-$100 per month, the use tax report should be filed on a quarterly basis. If the total tax due is less than $25 per month, the use tax report should be filed on an annual basis.”
City and county rates are available from the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration at www.state. ar.us/salestax or by calling (501) 682-7104.
HomeStyle, Pages 39 on 10/23/2010