Why is my faucet dripping?
Even in the land of all that glitters, every home will at one time or another experience a leaky faucet. It may be in the bathroom, the kitchen, or even an exterior faucet, and immediate attention is needed, with faucet leak repair. Most can be done by a homeowner, or if you’re not a DIY homeowner, most plumbers provide basic services like faucet leak repair. In Los Angeles, California, a company like ours can be there to give you a bit of help when you have a faucet that won’t stop leaking. But keeping that in mind, here are some things to think about when you’re dealing with a leaky faucet.
Why does a faucet drip after it’s turned off?
If you turn off a faucet and it keeps dripping water, your first question may be, “Why won’t my faucet stop dripping?”. A leaking faucet is sometimes an indication of a more severe problem, but in most cases, the problem requires a minor faucet leak repair. Some common reasons for a leaking faucet include:
- O-RINGS ISSUES
The O-rings are the most common problem with leaking faucets and should be the first thing you inspect. This is a small rubber ring that is found around the valve stem under the knob. Over time, with regular use, they get damaged and become loose. A typical indication that this is the faucet leak repair you need is when water is leaking from under the handle or around the spout base.
- VALVE SEAT CORROSION
The valve seat can become corroded, resulting in a dripping faucet. The valve seat makes the compression mechanism work. This faucet leak repair is done by replacing the valve seat. If your faucet is an older faucet, you’ll most likely need to replace the whole faucet not just the valve seat.
- DAMAGED OR LOOSE WASHER
When a faucet continues to drip water after you turn it off, the problem is the washer has become damaged or loosened. This faucet leak repair is done by replacing the seat washer and screw.
- DISC CARTRIDGE LEAKING
If your faucet is a disc cartridge style, the inlet and outlet seals can wear out with normal use or from water sediment builds up around the faucet seals. This faucet leak repair is often best done by a plumber.
How can you stop a faucet from dripping?
If you walk into the bathroom or kitchen and notice the faucet dripping, your first action is to make sure the faucet is completely turned off. If it is still dripping the sooner you address the matter with the following possible faucet leak repairs, the better for your budget and the environment:
- CHECK THE WASHERS
- TIGHTEN THE FAUCET SCREWS
- Check the FAUCET ALIGNMENT
- INSPECT FOR CRACKS
- CHECK THE WATER PRESSURE
- CLEAN ANY DEBRIS UNDER THE FAUCET BASE AND HANDLES
- CHECK THE SHUTOFF VALVE
- TIGHTEN THE STEM PACKING NUT
- REPLACE THE GASKET
- CHECK FOR LEAKING PIPES
- CHECK FOR CORROSION
Will replacing a faucet stop it from leaking?
If none of the repair steps we’ve listed has resulted in a successful faucet leak repair, replacing the unit will typically be necessary. If you do the replacement yourself and still have a leak that you can’t find, it is worth calling a plumber. Remember, every drip of water is a waste that is costing you on your water bill.
Can you fix a leaky faucet without turning off the water at the main?
If there are water shut-off valves, yes, you should be able to complete a faucet leak repair or replacement without turning the water off at the main. However, if there isn’t a water shut-off valve under the sink, for safety reasons, it is recommended to turn the water off at the main.
There are several videos online that can walk you through the process of installing water shut-off valves. This is a helpful upgrade to your plumbing that could be well worth the expense of a plumber or save you headaches later.
Why are faucet leak repairs so important?
In addition to saving money on the water bill, getting faucet leak repairs done promptly helps the environment. A leaking faucet with one drip every second adds up to over 3,000 gallons annually. That much water equals up to over 180 showers.
Stop The Waste!
So, after reading this article, you can see that a faucet leak repair is important and yes, worth the expense and time. What can happen if you don’t complete a faucet leak repair job? Well, you have to realize that a leaking faucet won’t repair itself, and the leak won’t just stop. A leaking faucet that is dripping under the sink can cause mildew and mold, with the mold spreading and causing wood rot, which can lead to even more structural damage, that will cost you even more money, and time. If you can’t do a faucet leak repair on your own, hire a handyman or plumber to complete the job, the sooner the better! When you need faucet leak repair in Los Angeles, California, we can be there to help so just give us a call. Reach out at (310) 454-2010.