Home / Why Your Faucet Keeps Leaking?
A leaking faucet may seem like a trivial problem. You might hear a drip at night, or a thin line of water on the floor, and it doesn’t seem like a big deal. Eventually, the issue will worsen. Many homeowners try a stopgap fix for the problem, only to experience the drip a few days later. If you are feeling familiar with this, you are not alone. Leaks can be caused by more than one reason.
If you would like to know why your faucet is dripping and whether you should seek leaky faucet repair, here are five overlooked causes that could be the problem.
The most common reason for a leaky faucet is a worn washer. The washer presses against the valve seat every time you engage or disengage the tap. This act of pressing the washer against the valve seat causes gradual friction on the washer. As the washer gets thin or cracked, the water starts leaking through and causes continued dripping.
This problem can be fixed fairly easily, but many people replace the washer and forget to investigate why the washer failed so rapidly. If the washer is the wrong thickness or low-quality material, the leak will return. Contacting a professional for leaky faucet repair will help prevent frequent replacement of washers.
Many homes have greater water pressure than required. You may enjoy a strong flow in the shower, but that same pressure can take a toll on your taps. When water pressure is too high, water pushes its way through tiny openings inside the tap.
This kind of leak occurs at certain times of day. For example, it may be observed during the night when fewer people in the area are using water. When a drip occurs and then stops, and when it starts and stops on its own, high pressure might really be the culprit. A plumbing professional will be able to test the water pressure and install a regulator if necessary for leaky faucet repair.
Read More: How to Handle a Plumbing Leak
Today’s mixer taps utilize a cartridge to control flow and temperature. If the cartridge is broken or blocked with debris, the tap will leak, even if the washers remain intact.
Hard water can be troublesome in this regard. Minerals from hard water, like calcium, can build up inside the tap and affect the cartridge. The tap might have white marks around the spout or handles.
All of this indicates the internal components are fighting against the hard water.
Replacing a cartridge is easy if you purchase the exact cartridge that matches your tap model. If the cartridge does not suit the specifics of your tap, replacing the cartridge can actually add to your drip issue.
The section of the tap that connects to the spout is known as the valve seat. If enough time passes, the water’s sediments settle in the area around it, causing corrosion. Once the valve seat is roughed up or deteriorated, the tap will leak from the spout where it connects.
Most homeowners cannot see the valve seat and, therefore, rarely realize this is the cause of the leak. A plumber can clean or regrind a valve seat during a normal service, but if the corrosion is significant, a tap replacement is the only option for leaky faucet repair.
The faucet contains several small parts to keep it all together and tight. One of these is the O-ring. The tiny rubber-like O-rings fit around the stem screw to help seal the faucet. If the O-ring becomes loose or brittle, water may leak around the area of the handle.
You may see moisture or feel the handle moving. Many people will just tighten the handle and think it fixed the issue. Replacing the worn O-ring is the right fix. It may be a small part, but it does an important job in preventing leaks.
Read More: How to Spot Hidden Plumbing Leaks Before They Become a Problem
A small leak could indicate larger problems in your plumbing system. If you think you can fix it, try some simple repairs. If you have problems with repeated leaking or any water stains, you need to call in a licensed plumber to find the real source of the problem and to stop the leak before a higher utility bill or additional damage is done in your sink area.
A leaking faucet is more than an inconvenience. When the right assistance is pursued and the correct diagnosis is made, you can enjoy a quiet and smooth faucet once again.
