Sick of hearing drip, drip, drip? Then find out how to
identify the causes of a leaky faucet and the best method to repair it with the steps below.
Drip, drip, drip– it's the all-too-common noise of a leaky faucet. Even a
little leak can send three gallons of water down the drain a day. Leave it that way for
a year, and you'll have wasted sufficient water to fill a swimming pool, or add a couple hundred dollars to your yearly water
costs. And that's just a little leak. A larger faucet
leak might lose more than 30 gallons of water a day. There are
lots of factors your faucet might be leaking,
however depending upon the issue, you
may have the ability to repair a leaky faucet yourself instead of
needing to hire a repairman.
Let's take a look at a few of the most common causes
of a leaky faucet and how you can repair them.
1. Bad O-Ring Got a leaky cartridge faucet? A cartridge is a valve that
manages the circulation of water into the faucet spout. One
problem that happens in cartridge faucets is a loose or
worn-out O-ring. This is the little disc that's attached to the stem screw that holds the handle of the faucet in place. If your sink handle is
leaking, this is the probably cause.
2. Damaged CartridgeA leak in a cartridge faucet might also be because of the cartridge itself, which might require to be
changed. You'll require to ensure you have a matching
replacement cartridge to switch it with.
3. Corroded Valve Seat If the leak appears to be originating from the
spout, it could be an issue with the valve seat, which
links the faucet and the spout. A buildup of water
sediments can rust the valve seat, triggering a leak. You can
prevent this by routinely cleaning the valve
seat, usually with the help of a pro.
4. Damaged Washers Another typical reason for spout
leak is problems with the washer that rests against the valve
seat. With time, the friction between these two
parts can trigger the washer to wear out. Faucet leaks can
likewise occur if the washer is installed
improperly or is the wrong size. This generally
occurs in compression faucets.
5. Worn-Out Seals Much like the valve seats, inlet and outlet seals can
become rusted by the build-up of water
sediments.
6. Water Pressure If the faucet only tends to leak during
particular times of the day, or when you move the handles a certain method, your home's water pressure could be the
culprit.
7. Loose Parts The adjusting ring and packaging nuts in the stream screw can
end up being loose with time, triggering your
sink manage to begin leaking. Tightening the packing nut or changing it will
generally do the trick to repair the leaky faucet.
8. Broken Components If the leak is coming from the pipes
underneath the sink, the cause is most likely a broken
pipe or fitting. That's when you know it's time to employ an expert plumbing
technician.
How to Fix a Leaky Faucet
When you have determined the reason for your leaky faucet, you'll have the ability to repair it– unless it's
an issue that needs expert
help. Follow these actions to repair a leaky faucet
yourself:
Step 1: Identify what kind of faucet you have. The most
typical types are ball faucets, cartridge faucets and ceramic disk faucets.
Action 2: Switch off the water supply to the leaking faucet. Look at the pipes under the sink
for the water shut-off valves. There must be 2– one for
hot and one for cold. Turn them clockwise with your hands until they are
closed.
Step 3: Plug the drain with a sink plug or rag so you don't lose any
small parts in it.
Step 4: Remove any ornamental parts from the handle
knobs. Under them, there must be a screw that connects the
handle onto the stem. Unscrew and remove the handle.
Step 5: Use a wrench to loosen the packing nut and
then the stem. Inspect these parts for any damage. If
they are harmed, change them.
Step 6: Next, have a look at the O-ring and washer
within the valve seat. Change the washer and O-ring, and see if that
fixes the concern.
Action 7: Reassemble your sink and test it for leaks.
Step 8: If actions 1-7 don't work, it might be in your best interest to call
a plumbing technician to come
inspect the problem.
If you want to stay safeguarded from
the expense of plumbing issues, like leaky faucets and
blockages, in the future, offers home
warranties with flexible coverage.
Go on the internet or call today to find out what
plan will best satisfy your requirements.
How to Protect Your Home From Leaky Faucets in Burbank