Sick of hearing drip, drip, drip? Then learn how to
identify the causes of a leaky faucet and the best way to fix it with the steps below.
Drip, drip, drip– it's the all-too-common noise of a leaky faucet. Even a small leak can send 3 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
pool, or include a couple hundred dollars to your annual water
costs. And that's simply a small leak. A larger faucet
leak might lose more than 30 gallons of water a day. There are
lots of reasons your faucet might be leaking,
however depending upon the concern, you
might be able to repair a leaky faucet yourself instead of
needing to call in a service
technician.
Let's take a look at a few of the most common causes
of a leaky faucet and how you can fix them.
1. Bad O-Ring Got a leaky cartridge faucet? A cartridge is a valve that
controls 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 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 require to make sure you have a matching
replacement cartridge to switch it with.
3. Rusted Valve Seat If the leak seems originating from the
spout, it could be a concern 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
avoid this by routinely cleaning the valve
seat, generally with the help of a pro.
4. Damaged Washers Another common cause of spout
leakage is issues with the washer that rests versus the valve
seat. Gradually, the friction between these 2
parts can cause the washer to wear out. Faucet leaks can
also occur if the washer is set up
incorrectly or is the wrong size. This primarily
occurs in compression faucets.
5. Worn-Out Seals Much like the valve seats, inlet and outlet seals can
end up being corroded by the accumulation of water
sediments.
6. Water Pressure If the faucet only tends to leak throughout
particular times of the day, or when you move the handles a

specific way, 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, causing your
sink handle to start leaking. Tightening the packaging nut or replacing it will
usually do the trick to fix the leaky faucet.
8. Broken Components If the leak is originating from the pipes
beneath the sink, the cause is most likely a broken
pipe or fitting. That's when you understand it's time to employ an expert plumbing
technician.
How to Repair a Leaky Faucet
As soon as you have recognized the reason for your leaky faucet, you'll have the ability to repair it– unless it's
a problem that requires professional
support. Follow these actions to fix a leaky faucet
yourself:
Step 1: Identify what type of faucet you have. The most
typical types are ball faucets, cartridge faucets and ceramic disk faucets.
Action 2: Switch off the supply of water to the dripping faucet. Take a 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 until they are
closed.
Step 3: Plug the drain with a sink plug or rag so you don't lose any
little parts in it.
Step 4: Get rid of any decorative parts from the handle
knobs. Under them, there should be a screw that connects the
handle onto the stem. Unscrew and remove the handle.
Step 5: Use a wrench to loosen up the packing nut and after that the stem. Inspect these parts for any damage. If
they are harmed, replace 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
repairs 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 professional to come
inspect the concern.
If you 'd like to stay safeguarded from
the cost of plumbing issues, like leaky faucets and
clogs, in the future, uses house
warranties with versatile coverage.
Go online or call today to learn what
strategy will best satisfy your needs.
SHOULD I REPAIR OR CHANGE A LEAKY FAUCET? in Van Nuys