Faucets are one of the most important aspects of a home and keeping them in working condition is extremely important. Having a leaky faucet can disrupt your daily life and cause your water bill to soar. While there are some easy fixes a homeowner can take to fix a leaky faucet, this can often lead to worse problems down the road that will cost much more money to fix. Ignoring a leaky faucet today could mean you’ll have to pay hundreds of dollars in the future. Moreover, a leaky faucet is a severe waste of water.
The EPA says that, “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.”
There are many reasons why your faucet could be dripping, but here are the four main causes:
ProblemWithTheORing
A stem screw holds the handle of a faucet in place and it includes a small disc attached to it, known as the O-ring. This is a very important place where dripping can occur. The O- ring can become loose or wear out over regular usage, causing the faucet to drip near the handle. Properly replacing this part can do wonders for fixing your leaky faucet.
CorrodedValveSeat
A valve seat is the connection between the faucet and the spout in the compression mechanism. Accumulation of water sediments can cause the valve seat to corrode, causing leakage around the spout area. Make sure that you clean the valve seat regularly with the help of a professional plumber.
WornOutWasher
One of the most common reasons for a leaky faucet, the washer is forced against the valve seat, and this constant friction causes it to wear out. So, dripping occurs around the spout. Dripping caused by worn-out rubber washers can be mended by replacing the washer. This type of leak is most common in a compression faucet.
ImproperWasherInstallation
Many times, if the washer is not installed properly or is not the right size, it can cause a leaky faucet. We highly recommend hiring a professional plumber to help you install the washer properly, allowing you to fix that leak forever
If you need assistance with a leaky faucet, Clear Drain is here to help you.
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