Reasons Why Your Faucet Is Leaking
The drip of a leaky faucet, and the tick of a clock, they´re all too familiar, a nagging sound that scrapes the inside of your brain. Luckily, Sunshine Plumbers knows how to help with the leaky faucet. There are several common causes why you can encounter a leaky faucet, so we´re here to inform you about them. We´ll even teach you a few plumber tips on how to fix some of these common issues. If you want to avoid faucet repair in the future, this article is for you.
Common Causes of a Leaky Faucet
- Loose O-Ring: If you have a cartridge faucet, this problem is likely to occur. A cartridge is a valve that controls the flow of water for the faucet. There´s a small disc attached to the stem screw known as the O-ring. It helps hold the handle of the faucet in place. The O-ring can wear out over time from use or become loose without noticing. This can cause a leak to form in your faucet. Replacing the O-ring should be enough to fix the problem at hand.
- Corroded Valve Seat: The leak may be originating from the valve seat, which connects the spout and the faucet. A buildup of sediments in the tap water can cause the valve seat to corrode. It may be difficult for you to clean the valve seat yourself, so seeking the help of a competent plumber would be best to take care of this issue. Remember to clean it regularly with the help of a professional to prevent corrosion again.
- Worn Out Washer: This problem is typically found in compression faucets. During each use of your faucet, the washer is forced against the valve seat, causing the washer to wear out over time. This then causes leaking around the spout. A faucet leak can also occur because the washer is the wrong size or is installed incorrectly. Like the O-ring, replacing the washer should be substantial to fixing the leaking problem.
How to Fix a Leaky Faucet
First, determine what type of faucet you have. The most common types are compression faucets, cartridge faucets, ceramic-disc faucets, and ball-type faucets. After you´ve determined your faucet type, turn off the water supply. There should be two shut-off valves under the sink, one for hot and the other for cold. Turn them clockwise until they close. Plug the sink to make sure small parts like screws don’t go down the drain. Next, unscrew the handle that attaches to the stem and use a wrench to loosen the packing nut and stem. During this step, keep an eye out for any damage that might be done to these parts of your sink. If you see a crack or other damaged pieces, replace them. Similarly, check the O-ring and washer in the valve seat and replace them as well. After replacing all the necessary pieces, reassemble your sink and test for leaks.
If you feel that you can’t perform a faucet repair on your own, feel free to call Sunshine Plumbers for help. Our experienced workers and updated technology and tools can finish the job that you couldn’t.
