Tired of hearing drip, drip, drip? Then find out how to
identify the causes of a leaky faucet and the most
effective way to repair 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 lost enough water to fill a
pool, or add a couple hundred dollars to your annual water
costs. And that's just a little leak. A bigger faucet
leak might lose more than 30 gallons of water a day. There are
many reasons your faucet might be dripping,
however depending on the concern, you
may be able to fix a leaky faucet yourself instead of
having to hire a technician.
Let's look at a few of the most typical causes
of 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 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 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 because of the cartridge itself, which may need to be
replaced. You'll require 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 concern with the valve seat, which
links the faucet and the spout. A buildup of water
sediments can rust the valve seat, causing a leak. You can
prevent this by frequently cleaning the valve
seat, typically with the help of a pro.
4. Damaged Washers Another common reason for spout
leak is issues with the washer that rests versus the valve
seat. With time, the friction in between these 2
parts can trigger the washer to break. Faucet leaks can
likewise happen if the washer is set up
improperly or is the incorrect size. This mainly
takes place in compression faucets.
5. Worn-Out Seals Much like the valve seats, inlet and outlet seals can
become corroded by the build-up of water
sediments.
6. Water Pressure If the faucet only tends to leak during
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
end up being loose with time, triggering your
sink manage to begin dripping. Tightening
up the packaging nut or changing it will
typically do the trick to fix the leaky faucet.
8. Broken Components If the leak is originating from the pipes
below the sink, the cause is probably a broken
pipe or fitting. That's when you know it's time to contact a professional plumbing
technician.
How to Repair a Leaky Faucet
When you have identified the cause
of your leaky faucet, you'll have the ability to repair it– unless it's
an issue that requires professional
support. Follow these steps to repair a leaky faucet
yourself:
Action 1: Determine what type of faucet you have. The most
common types are ball faucets, cartridge faucets and ceramic disk faucets.
Step 2: Turn off the water supply to the leaking 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 up 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: Eliminate any decorative parts from the handle
knobs. Under them, there should be a screw that connects the
handle onto the stem. Unscrew and get rid of the handle.
Step 5: Use a wrench to loosen up the packing nut and after that the stem. Check these parts for any damage. If
they are damaged, replace them.
Action 6: Next, check out the O-ring and washer
within the valve seat. Replace 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 actions 1-7 don't work, it might be in your best interest to call
a plumbing technician to come
check the problem.
If you want to stay safeguarded from
the expense of plumbing concerns, like leaky faucets and
obstructions, in the future, offers home
warranties with versatile coverage.
Go on the internet or call today to learn what
strategy will best satisfy your needs.
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