What Causes a Leaky Faucet?
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When you own a home, it seems like problems are always popping up. One week, it’s weeds in the yard. Another week, one of the kids put a hole in the wall because they didn’t listen when Mom told them to not play ball in the house.
If you’re dealing with a leaky faucet, it could not only be annoying thanks to the drip-drip-drip noise, but it can also raise your water bill. Fortunately, you can skip the hassle and worry over another DIY project and put The Fuel Company to work! Our plumbing services are performed by licensed, skilled, and experienced plumbers. We’ll stop the leak for you!
Here are some of the reasons your faucet may be leaking.
One of the primary causes of a dripping faucet is the gradual wear and tear of the washer. With each use, the washer is pressed against the valve seat, resulting in continuous friction and eventual deterioration.
Frequent usage can lead to the loosening of the seat washer screw, resulting in an annoying dripping or chattering faucet. If you have a newer faucet, it may be equipped with plastic valve cartridges that might need replacement. Similarly, plastic seats with springs might also require replacement.
Improper installation or incorrect sizing of the washer can also lead to a leaky or dripping faucet.
When faced with a leaky sink faucet, one of the common troubleshooting steps is to inspect the O-rings, as they are often the culprit.
If you’re unfamiliar with what an O-ring is, it’s a small rubber ring positioned around the valve stem of your faucet. Over time, regular use can cause it to loosen or become damaged. If you notice any leakage beneath the faucet handle, it’s likely that the O-ring is the culprit. Fortunately, fixing this issue is a simple task that involves replacing the O-ring.
A common problem encountered with sink faucets is leakage around the base of the spout. Typically, to resolve this issue, the spout needs to be detached, and the two O-rings should be replaced. However, in certain cases, the faucet spout may be severely corroded due to hard water or persistent neglect of a leak. In such instances, simply replacing the O-rings will not suffice, and it becomes necessary to install an entirely new faucet. If the corrosion is not extensive, replacing the O-ring should effectively resolve the leak. Before reattaching the faucet to the base, applying plumber’s grease on the O-rings is recommended. It is worth noting that professional assistance might be required for this repair.
Is the leak originating from a dripping faucet? If you have a faucet that’s constantly dripping, it’s possible that a corroded valve seat is the culprit. The valve seat is where the valve or cartridge connects in the compression mechanism. Frequently, sediment can weaken or corrode the valve seat. While brass valve seats used to be repairable, the newer plastic seats necessitate replacing the entire unit.
If your faucet experiences excessive water pressure, you may observe periodic leaks throughout the day, while at other times, no leakage occurs. You might also notice dripping only when the handles are positioned in a specific manner. Our team is equipped to evaluate and address your water pressure concern, applying necessary adjustments to rectify the leak.
The Fuel Company provides comprehensive plumbing services to Cape Cod homes. Contact us when you need plumbing work!
The Fuel Company has been Cape Cod’s choice for dependable residential and commercial heating oil delivery for more than half a century, and we remain dedicated to providing outstanding service you can count on.
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