Sick of hearing drip, drip, drip? Then discover how to
identify the causes of a leaky faucet and the most
effective method to repair it with the actions below.
Drip, drip, drip– it's the all-too-common sound 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 swimming pool, or add a couple hundred bucks to your annual water
expenses. And that's just a little leak. A larger faucet
leak might lose more than 30 gallons of water a day. There are
lots of reasons your faucet might be dripping,
but depending on the problem, you
may be able to repair a leaky faucet yourself instead of
having to hire a service
technician.
Let's take a look at some of the most typical 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
damaged 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 might also be because of the cartridge itself, which might require to be
changed. 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 a problem 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 frequently cleaning up the valve
seat, generally with the help of a pro.
4. Damaged Washers Another typical cause of spout
leakage is problems with the washer that rests against the valve
seat. Gradually, the friction between these 2
parts can cause the washer to break. Faucet leaks can
also take place if the washer is set up
incorrectly or is the wrong size. This generally
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 drip during
specific 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 packaging nuts in the stream screw can
end up being loose over time, triggering your
sink handle to start leaking. Tightening the packing nut or changing it will
usually do the trick to fix the leaky faucet.
8. Broken Parts If the leak is originating from the pipes
beneath the sink, the cause is most likely a broken
pipeline or fitting. That's when you know it's time to call
in an expert plumbing
technician.
How to Repair 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 needs expert
assistance. Follow these steps to fix a leaky faucet
yourself:
Action 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
system 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 until they are
closed.
Action 3: Plug the drain with a sink plug or rag so you don't lose any
little parts in it.
Step 4: Eliminate any decorative parts from the handle
knobs. Under them, there must be a screw that connects the
handle onto the stem. Unscrew and remove the handle.
Step 5: Utilize a wrench to loosen the packaging nut and
then the stem. Examine 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 concern.
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 concern.
If you wish to stay secured from
the cost of plumbing problems, like leaky faucets and
clogs, in the future, uses home
guarantees with flexible protection.
Go on the internet or call today to find out what
strategy will best fulfill your needs.
How to Protect Your Home From Leaky Faucets in Studio City
SHOULD I REPAIR OR REPLACE A LEAKY FAUCET? in Studio City