Sick of hearing drip, drip, drip? Then learn how to
identify the causes of a leaky faucet and the most
effective method to repair it with the steps below.
Drip, drip, drip– it's the all-too-common noise 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 enough water to fill a swimming pool, or add a couple hundred dollars to your annual water
costs. And that's just a small leak. A bigger faucet
leak could waste more than 30 gallons of water a day. There are
many factors your faucet might be leaking,
but depending on the concern, you
might have the ability to fix a leaky faucet yourself instead of
needing to contact a service
technician.
Let's take a look at some 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 flow of water into the faucet spout. One
problem that occurs in cartridge faucets is a loose or
worn-out O-ring. This is the little 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. Damaged CartridgeA leak in a cartridge faucet could also be due
to the cartridge itself, which might 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, triggering a leak. You can
avoid this by frequently cleaning the valve
seat, generally with the help of a pro.
4. Worn-Out Washers Another typical reason for spout
leakage is issues with the washer that rests against the valve
seat. With time, the friction between these two
parts can trigger the washer to wear. Faucet leaks can
also occur if the washer is installed
improperly or is the wrong size. This primarily
happens in compression faucets.
5. Damaged Seals Much like the valve seats, inlet and outlet seals can
become corroded by the accumulation of water
sediments.
6. Water Pressure If the faucet only tends to drip during
specific times of the day, or when you move the handles a certain method, 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 over time, causing your
sink handle to start dripping. Tightening
up the packaging nut or replacing it will
usually do the trick to repair the leaky faucet.
8. Broken Parts 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 know it's time to hire an expert plumbing professional.
How to Fix a Leaky Faucet
As soon as you have determined the reason for your leaky faucet, you'll be able to repair it– unless it's
a problem that requires professional
support. Follow these actions to fix a leaky faucet
yourself:
Step 1: Determine what kind 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 should be two– one for
hot and one for cold. Turn them clockwise with your hands up until they are
closed.
Step 3: Plug the drain with a sink plug or rag so you do not lose any
little parts in it.
Step 4: Get rid of any ornamental 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 the packing nut and
then the stem. Check these parts for any damage. If
they are damaged, change 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 issue.
Step 7: Reassemble your sink and test it for leaks.
Step 8: If steps 1-7 do not work, it might be in your best interest to call
a plumber to come
check the concern.
If you want to stay protected from
the expense of plumbing issues, like leaky faucets and
blockages, in the future, uses house
warranties with flexible protection.
Go on the internet or call today to learn what
strategy will best fulfill your requirements.
How to Protect Your Home From Leaky Faucets in Mission Hills
What if I don`t quickly attend to a leaky faucet? in Mission Hills