Sick of hearing drip, drip, drip? Then find out how to
locate the reasons for a leaky faucet and the most
effective way to fix it with the steps 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 sufficient water to fill a swimming pool, or include a couple hundred dollars to your yearly water
expenses. And that's just a little leak. A bigger faucet
leak might lose more than 30 gallons of water a day. There are
lots of reasons your faucet might be leaking,
but depending upon the problem, you
may be able to repair a leaky faucet yourself instead of
having to hire a technician.
Let's take a look at some of the most typical reasons for 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
issue that occurs in cartridge faucets is a loose or
damaged O-ring. This is the small 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 could also be due
to the cartridge itself, which may require to be
replaced. You'll need to ensure 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
links the faucet and the spout. A buildup of water
sediments can corrode the valve seat, triggering a leak. You can
prevent this by regularly cleaning the valve
seat, usually 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. Over time, the friction in between these 2
parts can cause the washer to wear. Faucet leaks can
likewise take place if the washer is set up
improperly or is the incorrect size. This generally
happens in compression faucets.
5. Worn-Out 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 throughout
particular 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 begin leaking. Tightening the packaging nut or replacing it will
generally do the trick to repair the leaky faucet.
8. Broken Parts If the leak is coming from the pipes
underneath the sink, the cause is most likely a broken
pipeline or fitting. That's when you know it's time to call
in a professional plumber.
How to Fix a Leaky Faucet
As soon as you have determined the cause
of your leaky faucet, you'll have the ability to repair it– unless it's
an issue that requires professional
assistance. Follow these steps 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: Turn off the supply of water to the dripping faucet. 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.
Step 3: Plug the drain with a sink plug or rag so you do not lose any
small parts in it.
Step 4: Eliminate any ornamental 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: Use a wrench to loosen up the packing nut and after that the stem. Examine these parts for any damage. If
they are damaged, replace them.
Action 6: Next, have a look at the O-ring and washer
within the valve seat. Replace the washer and O-ring, and see if that
fixes the problem.
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 plumbing technician to come
inspect the problem.
If you wish to remain protected from
the cost of plumbing concerns, like leaky faucets and
obstructions, in the future, provides house
service warranties with versatile protection.
Go on the internet or call today to learn what
strategy will best meet your requirements.
What if I don`t quickly attend to a leaky faucet? in Sylmar