Has your faucet in the Bradenton area started dripping? Fortunately, our punctual plumbers can fix it!
Of course, it’s still a good idea to know why your faucet keeps dripping. After all, resolving the underlying problem can ensure your faucet is repaired correctly.
We’re going to examine the six top reasons below, along with providing a step-by-step guide to repairing faucet issues.
Quick Takeaways
- A dripping faucet wastes up to 3,000 gallons of water per year.
- A worn-out washer or loose O-ring are the most common issues.
- High water issues should be handled by professional plumbers only.
- It’s important to regularly receive preventative maintenance.
Common Causes of a Dripping Faucet
Having a dripping faucet is much more than an inconvenience. In fact, if your faucet leaks once per second, you’ll end up wasting around 3,000 gallons of water per year.
To put this another way, you could take more than 180 showers with the amount of water you’ve wasted. By repairing your faucet right away, though, you’ll be more environmentally friendly, plus you’ll save yourself money.
Worn-Out Washers
A worn-out washer is the most common cause of a leaking faucet. As time passes, your washers can harden, crack or become worn-out. Either way, once your faucet starts dripping, it’s often time to replace your washers.
Damaged or Loose O-Rings
The second leading cause of a dripping faucet is having loose or damaged O-rings. Whether you’re experiencing drips from the faucet, leaks from the base or a loose handle, replacing an O-ring may solve the problem. Constant friction can cause O-rings to crack or harden.
Corroded or Clogged Valve Seat
Your valve seat works in concert with a washer to create a seal, thereby avoiding leaks. However, once the valve seat becomes clogged or corroded, the seal becomes damaged.
Depending on the severity of the damage, you may be able to replace your valve seat. Sometimes, though, it’s necessary to completely replace your faucet to get it to stop dripping.
Faulty Cartridge
Faucets that have a cartridge have two separate handles. If you’ve developed a faulty cartridge in your faucet, it’ll be necessary to replace the cartridge.
Over time, the cartridge may lose its ability to properly control the flow of water. Therefore, even though you’ve closed the handle, it may still drip.
High Water Pressure
High water pressure in your home can cause your faucets to drip. Unfortunately, it can also damage your appliances, water heater, fixtures and pipes. Plus, your water bills could increase.
How do you know if you have high water pressure? Your faucet will only leak when you’ve turned on another water fixture. Fixing this problem isn’t a job for DIYers, though, so be sure to reach out to our professional punctual plumbers.
Loose or Worn-Out Faucet Parts
A loose connection may make it impossible to fully close the valve. As a result, your faucet will develop a drip. Additionally, you may notice that your handle wobbles whenever you turn it on or off.
How to Fix a Dripping Faucet Step-by-Step
Do you feel skilled enough to repair your dripping faucet?
Use the following steps:
- Shut off your faucet’s water valve.
- Remove the handle by using an Allen wrench, hex key or screwdriver.
- Remove the faucet stem or cartridge with a wrench.
- Replace your cartridge or stem, and make sure it is correctly aligned.
- Reattach your faucet handle.
- Turn the water supply back on.
- Allow cold and hot water to run through your faucet to verify that your aerator isn’t clogged.
When to Call a Professional Plumber
There are a number of different circumstances when it’s better to call our punctual plumbers. For example, if you’ve already tried a DIY repair that didn’t work.
Other reasons to call our team include:
- The leak is inside your walls.
- Old or corroded faucet.
- Unusual noises or a sudden drop in water pressure.
- Visible water damage such as water pooling beneath the sink.
- You’re not comfortable doing the repair.
How to Prevent Faucet Leaks in the Future
Avoiding future faucet leaks requires regular preventative plumbing maintenance. It’s important to tighten loose connections, clean mineral buildup and replace your worn-out O-rings and washers.
Other important tasks include cleaning your faucet on a regular basis and keeping your faucet dry. You can also apply plumber grease to your faucet handle threads. Plus, be sure to check your hoses and seals periodically.
FAQs
Do you have a plumbing-related question about your dripping faucet? Check out our list of FAQs below. Feel free to call us with any additional questions.
What is the lifespan of a faucet?
Generally speaking, most faucets will last for approximately 15-20 years. However, cheaper models may only last for five to 10 years.
Quality and materials matter, as does the usage and model. Hard water can cause your faucet to breakdown more quickly. To extend your faucet’s lifespan, ensure it receives regular preventative maintenance.
What are the symptoms of O-ring failure?
Once you’ve removed the faucet handle, you can inspect the O-rings for signs of failure. Physical damage is a well-known problem, and it can include tears, cracks or missing pieces.
You may also notice a lack of elasticity, brittleness or flattening. Either way, the main symptom of an O-ring failure is your faucet dripping.
What does a corroded valve look like?
As with anything else that becomes corroded, the valve is likely to have a green and white powdery substance. If your valve looks like this, it’s important to replace it right away.
How urgent is a leaky faucet?
Discovering a leaky faucet adds another factor to your already busy day. However, getting it fixed right away is the best way to avoid wasting water. The EPA says that even the tiniest drips quickly add up and will increase your water bills.
Stop the Drip — Schedule a Faucet Repair Today
Have you been experiencing a dripping faucet? Reach out to our punctual plumbers today to solve the problem! Whether it’s a worn washer, a loose O-ring, or hidden corrosion, our experts will quickly pinpoint the cause and provide a lasting fix. We handle all types of faucet repairs and replacements to restore full water efficiency and peace of mind.
Don’t let a small leak waste gallons of water or drive up your utility bills. Call Bradenton’s Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, the punctual plumbers today for fast, reliable service—because when you call, it’s fixed right the first time!