Sick of hearing drip, drip, drip? Then find out how to
find the causes of a leaky faucet and the best method to fix it with the actions listed 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 wasted sufficient water to fill a
pool, or include a couple hundred bucks to your annual water
expenses. And that's just a little leak. A bigger faucet
leak could waste more than 30 gallons of water a day. There are
lots of factors your faucet might be leaking,
but depending on the problem, you
might be able to repair a leaky faucet yourself instead of
needing 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 repair 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
problem that happens in cartridge faucets is a loose or
worn-out O-ring. This is the little 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 likely cause.
2. Worn-Out CartridgeA leak in a cartridge faucet might also be because of the cartridge itself, which may need to be
replaced. You'll need to ensure you have a matching
replacement cartridge to swap it with.
3. Rusted Valve Seat If the leak appears to be originating from the
spout, it could be a problem 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
avoid this by frequently cleaning up the valve
seat, generally with the help of a pro.
4. Worn-Out Washers Another typical cause of spout
leakage is issues with the washer that rests against the valve
seat. Gradually, the friction between these 2
parts can cause the washer to wear out. Faucet leaks can
also take place if the washer is set up
improperly or is the incorrect size. This generally
occurs in compression faucets.
5. Damaged Seals Much like the valve seats, inlet and outlet seals can
become rusted by the accumulation of water
sediments.
6. Water Pressure If the faucet just tends to leak throughout
specific times of the day, or when you move the handles a

specific method, your house'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 start leaking. Tightening the packing nut or changing it will
generally do the trick to fix the leaky faucet.
8. Broken Parts If the leak is coming from the pipes
below the sink, the cause is probably a broken
pipe or fitting. That's when you understand it's time to call
in an expert plumber.
How to Fix a Leaky Faucet
When you have identified the cause
of your leaky faucet, you'll be able to repair it– unless it's
a problem that requires expert
support. Follow these actions to fix a leaky faucet
yourself:
Step 1: Determine what kind 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 leaking faucet. Take a 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 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: 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: Utilize a wrench to loosen up the packing nut and after that the stem. Inspect these parts for any damage. If
they are damaged, change them.
Action 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 plumbing technician to come
inspect the concern.
If you wish to remain protected from
the cost of plumbing problems, like leaky faucets and
blockages, in the future, provides home
warranties with flexible protection.
Browse the web or call today to find out what
strategy will best fulfill your needs.
SHOULD I REPAIR OR CHANGE A LEAKY FAUCET? in Woodland Hills