Have you ever heard that a leaky faucet could waste up to one hundred dollars of water? It is just a tiny leak. A more extensive leak in the faucet can cause the loss of over 30 gallons of water per day, putting the most significant amount of money into your pocket. The top 5 causes of leaky faucets have been compiled together with the most cost-effective solutions.
5 Reasons for Leaky Faucets
Leaky faucets can get caused by many more things than you might imagine. The top five explanations are as follows:
A Damaged Cartridge
A cartridge faucet has two handles, one for hot water and one for cold water. A valve on each hold regulates water flow through the faucet’s spout. If your faucet is drippy water, this could be a sign of damage or wear to your cartridge.
Broken Washers
A typical cause for leaky faucets is the failure of washers. The washers sit against the valve’s seat; over time, friction may cause the washers’ material to wear away. It leads to leaks. It may leak if the washer is too large or must get installed correctly.
Water Pressure
Suppose you see that your bathroom faucet only leaks water sometimes or when the handles get moved in a particular manner. In that case, your home’s water pressure may be to blame.
Malfunctioning O-Ring
The O-ring is inside the faucet in the sink. It’s a tiny disc attached to the stem screw to keep the faucet’s handle in the correct position. Like washers, O-rings may wear out or lose their grip. If the hold of your faucet leaks, it’s most likely the cause.
Valve Seats That Are Degraded
If the faucet runs out of the spout, it could get caused by the valve seat. The valve seat joins the tap and spout. Sediment can build up and cause corrosion to the heart, leading to an issue.
How to Fix a Leaky Faucet
You can save money by repairing your faucet’s leak yourself. Follow these steps:
Turn Off the Water
A crucial step to fixing a leaky faucet is turning off the tap. If you don’t turn off the water supply from the tap, it may end with a flood in your bathroom. Locate the fixture shutoff valves underneath the sink to turn off the water and turn the knobs clockwise. Stop the house’s primary water supply if your faucet gets equipped with shutoff valves. Depending on the tap will allow you to confirm that the water gets shut off. If no water leaks out, your work is successful.
Remove the Faucet Handles
The method to remove the handles of a dripping faucet is dependent on the kind of fixture. For standard fixtures, it is possible to use a screwdriver with a flat head to take off the caps above the handles. It will reveal the screws that hold the handle. Remove the screws and then pull the handles away.
Remove the Valve Stem
Compression faucets come with an aluminum valve stem that can unscrew. After removing the tap handle, you can see the valve’s inner stem or cartridge. The cartridge also has to be removed. Cartridge faucets can pull straight away.
Examine the Sink’s Components
After you’ve taken all the components off, please look closely at them to determine what must get replaced to repair the leaky faucet. There will be O-rings and rubber washers, and seals.
Replace the Damaged Parts
Suppose any part is old or damaged, take them off and replace them. The easiest and most effective method to find the correct components for your dripping faucet is to bring your older ones to a hardware store and request exact copies. Visit your local hardware store to locate the part you require.
Clean the Valves
Examine the valve body after you’ve removed the cartridge or stem. There are likely to be mineral deposits. To get it cleaned, you can pour white vinegar on the valve’s seat and let it sit for a few minutes. Please clean it up, and scrub other sink areas to bring back the shine and smoothness.
Connect the Faucet
After you have your new replacement parts and cleaned everything, put them back together faucet. Turn on the water supply and keep an eye out for leaks.
Plumbing Installation Services
If you cannot fix a leak in your faucet, call our team at (613) 317-1682 or email us at info@ottawaplumbingservice.com. We offer plumbing emergency services and can address the issue promptly. Once we determine the root of the problem, we will notify you of the component and parts which need to get replaced to fix the leaky faucet.
Do you need help with a different plumbing problem? You can trust the team of licensed plumbers at Ottawa Plumbing Service. In addition to fixing your fixture, we also offer services like repairs to water heaters and installing sump pumps.
