Tired of hearing drip, drip, drip? Then discover how to
identify the reasons for a leaky faucet and the best way to repair it with the steps listed below.
Drip, drip, drip– it's the all-too-common sound of a leaky faucet. Even a small 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 bucks to your yearly water
costs. And that's just a small leak. A bigger faucet
leak could lose more than 30 gallons of water a day. There are
numerous reasons your faucet might be leaking,
however depending on the concern, you
may be able to fix a leaky faucet yourself instead of
having to call in a repairman.
Let's 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 flow of water into the faucet spout. One
issue that occurs in cartridge faucets is a loose or
damaged O-ring. This is the small disc that's connected
to the stem screw that holds the handle of the faucet in place. If your sink handle is
leaking, this is the likely cause.
2. Worn-Out CartridgeA leak in a cartridge faucet might also be due
to the cartridge itself, which may require to be
changed. You'll need to ensure you have a matching
replacement cartridge to switch it with.
3. Rusted 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, causing a leak. You can
prevent this by frequently cleaning up the valve
seat, generally with the help of a pro.
4. Worn-Out Washers Another common reason for spout
leak is issues with the washer that rests versus the valve
seat. Gradually, the friction in between these two
parts can cause the washer to wear. Faucet leaks can
likewise occur if the washer is installed
incorrectly or is the incorrect size. This generally
takes place in compression faucets.
5. Damaged 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 just tends to leak during
particular times of the day, or when you move the handles a

specific method, your house's water pressure could be the
culprit.
7. Loose Parts The adjusting ring and packing nuts in the stream screw can
end up being loose with time, causing your
sink handle to begin dripping. Tightening the packaging nut or replacing it will
usually do the trick to fix the leaky faucet.
8. Broken Parts If the leak is originating from the pipes
below the sink, the cause is probably a broken
pipe or fitting. That's when you know it's time to contact a professional plumbing professional.
How to Repair a Leaky Faucet
Once you have identified the reason for your leaky faucet, you'll be able to repair it– unless it's
a problem that requires professional
help. Follow these steps to repair a leaky faucet
yourself:
Action 1: Determine what kind of faucet you have. The most
typical types are ball faucets, cartridge faucets and ceramic disk faucets.
Step 2: Turn off the water
system to the dripping faucet. Look at the pipes under the sink
for the water shut-off valves. There need to be 2– one for
hot and one for cold. Turn them clockwise with your hands till 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: Eliminate any ornamental parts from the handle
knobs. Under them, there should be a screw that attaches the
handle onto the stem. Unscrew and remove the handle.
Step 5: Use a wrench to loosen up the packaging nut and after that the stem. Examine these parts for any damage. If
they are harmed, change them.
Action 6: Next, have a look at the O-ring and washer
within the valve seat. Replace the washer and O-ring, and see if that
fixes the problem.
Action 7: Reassemble your sink and test it for leaks.
Step 8: If actions 1-7 do not work, it might be in your best interest to call
a plumbing professional to come
check the issue.
If you want to stay secured from
the cost of plumbing issues, like leaky faucets and
clogs, in the future, offers home
warranties with flexible protection.
Go on the internet or call today to learn what
strategy will best fulfill your requirements.
Can i repair my leaky faucet by myself? in Chatsworth
How to Protect Your Home From Leaky Faucets in Chatsworth