Sick of hearing drip, drip, drip? Then discover how to
find the causes of a leaky faucet and the best method to fix it with the steps listed 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 enough water to fill a
pool, or add a couple hundred dollars to your yearly water
expenses. And that's simply a small leak. A larger faucet
leak could waste more than 30 gallons of water a day. There are
numerous factors your faucet might be leaking,
but depending upon the problem, you
might have the ability to fix a leaky faucet yourself instead of
needing to hire a technician.
Let's take a look at some of the most common reasons for a leaky faucet and how you can repair 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 occurs in cartridge faucets is a loose or
damaged 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 because of the cartridge itself, which may need to be
replaced. 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 a problem with the valve seat, which
links the faucet and the spout. A buildup of water
sediments can corrode the valve seat, triggering a leak. You can
prevent this by frequently cleaning the valve
seat, normally with the help of a pro.
4. Worn-Out Washers Another common reason for spout
leakage is issues with the washer that rests against the valve
seat. Gradually, the friction in between these 2
parts can cause the washer to break. Faucet leaks can
likewise take place if the washer is installed
incorrectly or is the incorrect size. This mainly
happens in compression faucets.
5. Damaged Seals Much like the valve seats, inlet and outlet seals can
end up being corroded by the build-up 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 particular way, your home's water pressure could be the
culprit.
7. Loose Parts The adjusting ring and packing nuts in the stream screw can
become loose gradually, causing your
sink handle to begin leaking. Tightening
up the packing nut or changing it will
generally do the trick to fix the leaky faucet.
8. Broken Components If the leak is coming from the pipes
below the sink, the cause is probably 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 be able to repair it– unless it's
a concern that requires professional
help. Follow these actions to repair 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.
Step 2: Switch off the water
system to the leaking 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 up until they are
closed.
Action 3: Plug the drain with a sink plug or rag so you don't lose any
small parts in it.
Step 4: Get rid of any decorative parts from the handle
knobs. Under them, there ought to be a screw that connects the
handle onto the stem. Unscrew and eliminate the handle.
Step 5: Utilize a wrench to loosen up the packaging nut and
then the stem. Check these parts for any damage. If
they are harmed, change them.
Action 6: Next, take a look at the O-ring and washer
within the valve seat. Replace the washer and O-ring, and see if that
fixes the issue.
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 plumber to come
examine the concern.
If you want to remain safeguarded from
the cost of plumbing problems, like leaky faucets and
clogs, in the future, offers house
service warranties with flexible protection.
Go online or call today to learn what
plan will best satisfy your needs.
Faucet & Leak Repairs in Winnetka
Can i repair my leaky faucet by myself? in Winnetka