Faucets are an indispensable part of a home structure and keeping them in a good working condition is imperative. A leaky faucet not only disturbs sleep and adds to the water bill but also causes an inconvenience that might range from annoying to catastrophic. The typical causes for a leaky faucet include corrosion, mineral deposit on the internal parts, or defective gaskets, o-rings, or washers. Luckily, most faucets that leak can be fixed by homeowners if they have the right tools and some basic knowledge of plumbing. Ignoring a faulty faucet can turn a simple repair of $200 into a $1,000 plumbing replacement project. Besides, a dripping faucet leads to a waste of over a hundred gallons of water every month.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency reveals, “On an average, leaks can cause almost 10,000 gallons of wastage in a home every year, and this amount is sufficient to fill a swimming pool. The most common issues of leakage are a dripping faucet, leakage in toilet flappers, or leaking valves, all of which can be easily fixed. However, among these, the most prominent leakage issue is caused by a dripping faucet; fixing one can save almost 10% of a homeowner’s water bill.”
What Causes Your Leaky Faucet?
There may be several reasons behind why your faucet is dripping. Below we review some of the most common causes of a leaky faucet.
Problem in the Faucet ‘O’ Ring
A stem screw is used to hold the handle of a faucet in place. This stem screw includes a small disc attached to it, known as the O ring. This is an integral place where dripping can occur. However, the O ring can become loose or wear out over regular use, causing the faucet to drip near the handle. Replacing the damaged O ring will fix it if this is the issue. This problem occurs specifically in cartridge faucets.
Leaky Corroded Faucet Valve Seat
A valve seat serves as a connection between the faucet and the spout in the compression mechanism. Accumulation of water sediments can cause the valve seat to corrode, thus, causing leakage around the spout area. Make sure that you clean the valve seat regularly with the help of a professional plumber. Call Hansen’s Plumbing.
leaky & Worn Out Washer
This is one of the most common causes behind a dripping faucet. During each use, the washer is forced against the valve seat, and this constant friction causes it to wear out. As a result, dripping is noticed around the spout. Dripping caused by worn-out rubber washers can be mended by replacing the washer. This type of leak is found in a compression faucet.
Improper Installation of Faucet Washer
Often, if the washer is not installed properly or is not the right size, thus, it can cause a leaky faucet. We suggest hiring a professional plumber to help you install the washer properly, allowing you to say goodbye to your leak.
If you need assistance with a leaky faucet or other faucet repair in Ventura County, call the professionals at Hansen’s Plumbing at (805) 647-0113.
