If a faucet drips, it is likely to be one of the most aggravating things in your life. You may have noticed that as soon as you wake up in the morning, a dripping sound comes from your bathroom or kitchen. It’s like clockwork: every day at this time, you will hear a drip-drip-drop on your sink and countertop. But why do faucets drip in the first place? And how can you stop this annoying problem? Read on.
Causes of Leaky Faucets
Cartridge Damage
You have a cartridge-style faucet if it has two handles, one for hot water and one for cold water. Each handle has a cartridge that controls the flow of water into the faucet spout. Dripping water from your faucet indicates that the cartridge has been damaged.
Washers That Have Broken
Broken washers are a common cause of a leaking faucet. Washers rest against the valve seat, and friction can cause the washers to wear out over time. This results in leaking. Leaking can also occur if a washer is incorrectly sized or incorrectly installed.
Water Tension
If your bathroom faucet only drips water at certain times or your faucet’s handles move in a certain way, your home’s water pressure may be causing the leaks.
An O-Ring That Isn’t Working Properly
An O-ring is included with the sink faucet. The stem screw holding the faucet handle is secured with a small disc. O-rings, like washers, can wear out or become loose. This is most likely the source of a leaking faucet handle.
Valve Seat Corrosion
If your faucet leaks from the spout, the valve seat could be the culprit. The valve seat is the piece that connects the faucet to the spout. Sediment can accumulate and corrode the seat, resulting in a leak.
How to Repair a Leaking Faucet
Turn Off The Water
Turning off the water is one of the essential steps in repairing a leaking faucet. If you do not turn off the water to the sink, your bathroom may flood. Look for the fixture shutoff valves beneath the sink and turn the handles clockwise to turn off the water.
Remove the Faucet Handles
The method for removing the handles of a dripping faucet varies depending on the type of fixture. For standard fixtures, remove the caps on top of the handle with a flathead screwdriver to reveal the handle screws. Remove the handles by unscrewing these.
Remove the Valve Stem
The inner valve stem or cartridge is visible when the faucet handle is removed. This must also be removed. The brass valve stem on compression faucets can be unscrewed. Cartridge faucets can be removed completely.
Examine the Sink’s Components
After you’ve removed all the parts, carefully inspect them to determine what needs to be replaced to fix the leaking faucet. Rubber washers, O-rings, and seals should be visible.
Repair Or Replace Any Damaged Parts
Replace any worn-out or damaged parts. Find the necessary components at your local hardware store. Bring the old faucet parts into a hardware store and ask for exact duplicates.
Conclusion
Fortunately, repairing a dripping faucet is quick and easy, so the time to act is now! Contact Scott’s Plumbing if you can’t figure out why your faucet is dripping or need assistance fixing it. Our team is staffed with experienced plumbers who can help you get your faucet back in working order.