Why Is My Faucet Leaking?

Why is your faucet leaking after you turn it off? You don’t realize how much you use the faucets around your home until one stops working correctly. While a common annoyance, you should never ignore a dripping faucet. The problem is likely to get worse, and you’ll find yourself with a rising water bill. Instead of wasting countless gallons of water each month, you should diagnose the problem as soon as possible. Take a look at these possible culprits.

Replace the Washer

Some faucets rely on a small washer to stop the flow of water. Unfortunately, washers are notorious for wearing out over time. You’ll notice a constant drip when this happens, no matter how tight you turn the handle. Replacing the washer should stop the problem.

Not every faucet has a washer, however. Only compression faucets, commonly found in older homes, use this tiny part. If you live in a new build, the chances are good that you have a cartridge or disc faucet, neither of which rely on rubber washers.

The O-Ring Has Seen Better Days

Another component that frequently wears out in faucets is the O-ring. Named for its shape, the O-ring stops the flow of water when you turn the handle. But if it gets old or corroded, the rubber material may disintegrate.

How can you tell if you need a new O-ring? Water at the base of the faucet is a sure-fire sign that you need to replace this integral part. If you have hard water, mineral deposits, and rust may shorten the lifespan of your faucet’s O-ring.

You Have a Worn-Out Cartridge on Your Hands

Most modern bathrooms feature one, or two-handle cartridge faucets. The cartridges control the amount of water flowing from the faucet and stop the flow when not in use. If this part wears out, you notice a steady drip.

No, if this happens, you don’t need to rush out and buy a new faucet. A plumber can quickly replace the damaged cartridge with a new one, and the leak should stop.

You See Corrosion Around the Valve Seat

Every faucet has a valve seat that resides at the base. If replacing other components doesn’t resolve a leak, a worn-out valve seat may be to blame. You may also notice water leaking from the bottom of the handle when you close the faucet.

Corrosion is the leading culprit when it comes to broken valve seats. Once again, hard water increases the risk of mineral buildup. While many homeowners decide to replace their faucet when the valve seat wears out, replacing the broken part is possible. A plumber can remove the old valve seat and install a new one.

Water Pressure Problems

Believe it or not, changes in water pressure may cause your faucets to leak. If you notice an intermittent leak only at certain times of the day, you need to monitor the water pressure. The problem may be with your entire plumbing system, not just the faucet.

Stop Leaking Faucets with a Single Service Call

While a dripping faucet may not seem like a plumbing emergency, it won’t go away alone. The problem will likely worsen with time. The experts at Armor Plumbing will evaluate the situation to determine the best course of action. Dripping faucets are no match for our skilled plumbers! Is your faucet leaking? Connect with us online to resolve the problem.