Plumbing issues like leaky faucets are a significant cause of headaches for homeowners. It can be something as simple as a leaking faucet or something as substantial as a burst pipe or another plumbing emergency, but any plumbing mishap can leave you with added stress and an expensive repair bill.
One of the most common plumbing issues, and luckily one of the easiest to deal with, are leaky faucets. The typical reasons a faucet may leak include a mineral deposit on the internal parts, defective washers, gaskets or o-rings, as well as corrosion.
Fortunately, most leaky taps can be easily fixed by the homeowner, you just need to have the proper tools. You never want to ignore a leaky faucet, as not only will you be wasting hundreds of gallons of water a month, but also your repair bill can rise from $200 to over a $1000.
Read on for the most common causes of leaky faucets, as well on how you can fix them, and save yourself water, time and money.
O-Ring issues: Your O-Ring is responsible for keeping the seals airtight on your faucet. A leaky faucet, especially when the leak is happening by the handle where the O-Ring is located, means that you will need a replacement. This usually is an easy fix, and it just means that your O-Ring was worn out and not creating as much of a seal as it should have.
Broken seals: Outlet and inlet seals play a vital part in controlling water flow. Over time, these seals can wear out due to use and sediment buildup, causing the faucet to leak. To have the tap work effectively, you can either replace the seals and repair the issue, or have a plumber clean out the sediment from the seals.
Loose parts: The packing nuts and adjusting ring in the steam screw can become loose with time and usage, causing the handle of the faucet to leak. If you notice the water dripping from near the handle, you need to either tighten or completely replace the packing nut.
Changes in water pressure: Unstable water pressure can be the reason why your faucet is leaking, especially if it only leaks at certain times during the course of the day. Too high water pressure means water is backed up and looks for ways to be released, which tend to include your faucet. If you believe water pressure is the reason behind your problem, then contacting a plumber to inspect the pressure is the most efficient way to deal with this issue.
Broken plumbing: If you have checked the seal, replaced the O-Ring and you are confident your water pressure is stable, the cause of your leaky faucet could be a busted plumbing fixture. Constant use and age can crack fixtures, causing them to leak water. The smartest way to handle this situation is to contact a professional plumber, as DIY on this issue is not recommended.
Sediment buildup and corrosion: Sediment build up causes corrosion, and it’s a significant contributor to leaky faucets. The faucet connections or the valve seat can be affected by corrosion, which leads to leaks. To avoid corrosion, we recommend regularly cleaning out the sediments from the valve seat.
