9 Common Causes of Leaking Faucets

Faucets will always be an indispensable element in any home. With this significant role, it’s crucial to ensure that all the faucets in your home are in an excellent working state without any leaks. The typical causes of leaking faucets include loose components, O-ring problems, a corroded valve set, damaged parts, and water pressure issues. 

When you have a leaky faucet, it can become a nuisance with the constant dripping, especially late in the night, which causes your utility bills to skyrocket. There are different reasons why a faucet will leak. In most instances, you can readily deal with most leaking taps if you have the right tools and basic plumbing knowledge.  

Remember that ignoring a leaking faucet can turn a simple repair job into an expensive replacement project. Additionally, a faulty faucet wastes a large amount of water in a month. Here are some of the usual causes of leaking faucets: 

1. Worn-Out Washer 

When the washer wears out, it’s one of the common causes why your faucet is leaking. The washers in the faucets are the rubber or metal pieces responsible for sealing gaps in the piping. Every time you’re using the tap, the valve seat is being pushed by the washer. The continuous friction over time will cause it to wear out. As a result, you’ll notice evident dripping around the spout, especially in compression faucets.  

In some cases, leaking occurs if you install a washer with an incorrect size. If you’re dealing with the dripping due to a worn-out washer, it requires replacement.  

2. Corrosion in the Valve Seat 

The function of the valve seat is to be the connection point between the spout and the faucet. Once sediments in the water build up over time, they’ll likely corrode, resulting in leakage around the spout area.

When it comes to cleaning and maintaining the valve seat, it’s best to call a professional. If you want to learn more about reliable plumbing services, checking out Plumber Sutherland Shire and others would help.  

3. O-Ring Problems

The stem screw is responsible for securing the handle of the faucet in place. In the stem screw, there’s a miniature disc or O-ring, which is a potential section where dripping can take place.  

The O-ring will likely become loose or deteriorate over continuous use, especially if you have a cartridge faucet. As a result, the tap will start to leak close to the handle. In most cases, a simple replacement job will fix the issue.  

4. Incorrect Installation of the Washer 

Incorrect Installation of the Washer  Causes of Leaking Faucets

In some instances, a leak occurs if you incorrectly install the washer. Sadly, it can result in a leaking faucet. If you lack the skills with the installation, contact a professional to ensure no leaks.

5. Worn Out Cartridge 

The cartridge might be the culprit for the leak when you have a cartridge faucet. In most cases, it’d require a replacement soon. When getting a substitute, you should look for the exact match.  

6. Water Pressure 

When one of the faucets in your home only drips at certain times of the day or when maneuvering the handle in a particular manner, the water pressure in your home might be responsible. Inspect the plumbing system in your home to determine if it’s one of the underlying causes of the leakage.  

7. Slack Components

In the long run, the nuts and the ring located can be slack, causing the faucet to leak. Loose packing nuts are one of the common causes of leaks around the handle. Generally, you can tighten it up without requiring a replacement. 

If you have a rotary ball faucet, take out the handle and secure the adjusting ring. However, if leakage originates from the base, it might be time to replace the seals or springs.  

8. Worn Out Seals  

Like the valve seat, the inlet and outlet seals can develop corrosion over time due to the buildup of water sediments. Generally, when deterioration is significant, a replacement is the best option to prevent any leaks.  

9. Damaged Parts 

Damaged Parts  Causes of Leaking Faucets

When the leak originates from the piping below the sink, the usual cause is usually a damaged pipe or poor fitting. In such instances, it’s best to call a professional to tackle the problem.  

Conclusion 

A leaking faucet in your home requires immediate attention. When you notice one of the faucets in your home starting to leak, even a small one, take action to stop it. Knowing the common causes of a leaking faucet will help you identify when one of your faucets needs attention. Deal with a leaky faucet right away to save on a costly repair job and to avoid wasting precious water.

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Nishant Desai
Nishant Desaihttps://architecturesideas.com/
Nishant Desai has over 8+ years of experience in SEO and blogging. His blogging expertise can organically increase online visibility and traffic for blogs and websites. With his SEO expertise, he has already contributed to iGeeksblog, Firstsportz, and Firstcuriosity. In addition, he can create content strategies, conduct keyword research, publish optimized blogs, and resolve technical issues.

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