Sick of hearing drip, drip, drip? Then learn how to
identify the causes of a leaky faucet and the most
effective way to fix it with the steps listed below.
Drip, drip, drip– it's the all-too-common sound 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 lost enough water to fill a swimming pool, or add a couple hundred bucks to your annual water
expenses. And that's just a small 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,
but depending on the problem, you
might have the ability to fix a leaky faucet yourself instead of
having to employ a technician.
Let's look at a few of the most typical reasons for a leaky faucet and how you can fix 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
issue that takes place in cartridge faucets is a loose or
worn-out O-ring. This is the little 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 probably cause.
2. Worn-Out CartridgeA leak in a cartridge faucet might also be due
to the cartridge itself, which might need to be
replaced. You'll require to make sure 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. An accumulation of water
sediments can rust the valve seat, causing a leak. You can
prevent this by regularly cleaning the valve
seat, typically with the help of a pro.
4. Worn-Out Washers Another common reason for spout
leak is problems with the washer that rests versus the valve
seat. Gradually, the friction between these 2
parts can trigger the washer to break. Faucet leaks can
likewise take place if the washer is set up
incorrectly or is the wrong size. This generally
takes place in compression faucets.
5. Damaged Seals Much like the valve seats, inlet and outlet seals can
end up being rusted by the build-up of water
sediments.
6. Water Pressure If the faucet only tends to leak throughout
certain times of the day, or when you move the handles a particular 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 gradually, causing your
sink deal with to begin dripping. Tightening the packaging nut or changing it will
usually do the trick to repair the leaky faucet.
8. Broken Parts If the leak is originating from the pipes
below 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 professional.
How to Repair a Leaky Faucet
As soon as you have determined the cause
of your leaky faucet, you'll have the ability to repair it– unless it's
an issue that needs professional
assistance. Follow these actions to repair a leaky faucet
yourself:
Step 1: Identify what type of faucet you have. The most
common types are ball faucets, cartridge faucets and ceramic disk faucets.
Step 2: Switch off the supply of water to the dripping 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 ought to be a screw that attaches the
handle onto the stem. Unscrew and eliminate the handle.
Step 5: Use a wrench to loosen the packaging nut and
then the stem. Examine these parts for any damage. If
they are damaged, change them.
Step 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 concern.
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
inspect the problem.
If you want to remain secured from
the expense of plumbing problems, like leaky faucets and
clogs, in the future, offers home
guarantees with versatile protection.
Go online or call today to find out what
strategy will best meet your needs.
What if I don`t quickly attend to a leaky faucet? in Porter Ranch
How to Protect Your Home From Leaky Faucets in Porter Ranch