Tired of hearing drip, drip, drip? Then discover how to
find the reasons for a leaky faucet and the best way to fix it with the steps below.
Drip, drip, drip– it's the all-too-common sound of a leaky faucet. Even a
little leak can send 3 gallons of water down the drain a day. Leave it that way for
a year, and you'll have lost sufficient water to fill a swimming pool, or add a couple hundred dollars to your annual water
costs. And that's simply a small leak. A larger faucet
leak could waste more than 30 gallons of water a day. There are
numerous reasons your faucet might be leaking,
however depending upon the issue, you
might be able to fix a leaky faucet yourself instead of
needing to contact a service
technician.
Let's 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
manages the circulation of water into the faucet spout. One
problem that takes place in cartridge faucets is a loose or
worn-out O-ring. This is the small 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. Worn-Out CartridgeA leak in a cartridge faucet could also be due
to the cartridge itself, which might require to be
replaced. You'll need to make sure you have a matching
replacement cartridge to swap it with.
3. Corroded Valve Seat If the leak seems originating from the
spout, it could be an issue with the valve seat, which
connects the faucet and the spout. An accumulation of water
sediments can rust the valve seat, causing a leak. You can
prevent this by routinely cleaning up the valve
seat, normally with the help of a pro.
4. Damaged Washers Another typical reason for spout
leak is issues with the washer that rests against the valve
seat. Gradually, the friction between these two
parts can cause the washer to break. Faucet leaks can
likewise occur if the washer is installed
improperly or is the incorrect size. This primarily
occurs 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 during
certain times of the day, or when you move the handles a particular method, your home'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 over time, triggering your
sink handle to start dripping. Tightening the packing nut or replacing it will
normally 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 probably a broken
pipeline or fitting. That's when you understand it's time to hire a professional plumbing professional.
How to Repair a Leaky Faucet
When you have determined the reason for your leaky faucet, you'll be able to repair it– unless it's
a concern that requires professional
assistance. Follow these actions to fix a leaky faucet
yourself:
Step 1: Determine what type 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 dripping faucet. Take a 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 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: Remove any decorative parts from the handle
knobs. Under them, there should be a screw that attaches the
handle onto the stem. Unscrew and eliminate the handle.
Step 5: Use a wrench to loosen the packing nut and after that the stem. Examine these parts for any damage. If
they are harmed, replace them.
Step 6: Next, take a look at the O-ring and washer
within the valve seat. Change the washer and O-ring, and see if that
repairs the problem.
Action 7: Reassemble your sink and test it for leaks.
Step 8: If steps 1-7 don't work, it might be in your best interest to call
a plumbing technician to come
inspect the issue.
If you wish to remain protected from
the expense of plumbing issues, like leaky faucets and
obstructions, in the future, uses house
guarantees with flexible coverage.
Browse the web or call today to learn what
strategy will best fulfill your needs.
Faucet & Leak Repairs in Encino
SHOULD I REPAIR OR CHANGE A LEAKY FAUCET? in Encino