Leaving a leaky faucet alone without repairing it can result in a major problem beyond the amount on your water bill. When you have a dripping faucet, this can indicate a bigger problem that could cost you hundreds of dollars down the line. One of the most common causes for a leaky faucet include defective parts on your sink, like the o-rings, washers and gaskets. If your sink has corrosion or mineral deposits, this can also cause sink faucets to leak.
In order to find out what is the cause of your faucet dripping water, then you will want to find out where the water leak is located. This article will help give you an idea of where the problem might lie.
O-ring Issues
One of the most common items that you should begin investigating when your sink faucet leaks is the o-rings. An o-ring is a small rubber ring that is located around your valve stern. This ring can become loose or damaged over time, simply through regular wear and tear, and the use of your faucet. If you find that your o-ring is the issue, then you might see leaking underneath your faucet’s handle. If this is the case, then a simple o-ring replacement will be all you need to do to fix the problem.
Sink faucets can leak from around the spout base, which is a very common issue. It requires you to remove the spout and you will typically need to replace the two o-rings. The faucet spout is pitted too badly from the hard water or a neglected leak you might not have known about, in this case, the new o-rings might not be able to seal. If this is the case, then it’s time to replace your entire faucet. However, if things are not too badly pitted, a new o-ring should do the trick. Plumbers grease should also be rubbed onto the o-rings before you slide your faucet back on. This repair might need professional work to get it done right.
Loose or Damaged Washer
If your faucet is dripping water after you shut it off, this could mean you have a loose or damaged seat washer. Issues with washers are common in leaky faucets. The seat washer screw can become loose over time, causing your faucet to drip or chatter. Faucets that are newer might have a plastic valve cartridge that will need to be replaced from time to time. The seats for newer faucets are usually made from plastic and have springs. These might need to be replaced as well.
Leaking Disc Cartridge
If you’ve got a disc cartridge faucet, then the inlet and outlet seals might become worn out. Cleaning water sediment from the faucet seals is one of many maintenance actions that a plumber can take during a scheduled visit.
If none of those steps fixes your leaky faucet, it’s likely that your faucet. It is likely that your faucet will need to be replaced. Hard water and various different cleaning products can damage your faucet over time.
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