Let’s face it, we’ve all had a dripping faucet in our home and have probably ignored it for a while! That dripping faucet not only wastes water, it wastes money on your water bill. 

Drips start to add up and also take a toll on your plumbing fixtures such as your faucet. We advise all of our customers to get a leak checked out and fixed as soon as possible. All that dripping water can corrode your sink and drain basins, wear away at your pipes and waste hundreds of gallons per year. Fixing one can save almost 10% of a homeowner’s water bill.”

Your faucets are some of the most frequently used appliances in your home. All that wear and tear is bound to catch up with them at some point. The typical causes for a leaky faucet include corrosion, mineral deposit on the internal parts, or defective gaskets, o-rings, or washers. Ignoring a faulty faucet can turn a simple repair into a plumbing replacement project.

PROBLEM IN THE O RING
A stem screw is used to hold the handle of a faucet in place. This stem screw includes a small disc attached to it, known as the O ring. This is an integral place where dripping can occur. The O ring can become loose or wear out over regular use, causing the faucet to drip near the handle. Replacing the damaged O ring will fix it if this is the issue. This problem occurs specifically in cartridge faucets.

CORRODED VALVE SEAT
A valve seat serves as a connection between the faucet and the spout in the compression mechanism. Accumulation of water sediments can cause the valve seat to corrode, causing leakage around the spout area.

WORN OUT WASHER
This is one of the most common causes behind a dripping faucet. During each use, the washer is forced against the valve seat, and this constant friction causes it to wear out. As a result, dripping is noticed around the spout. Dripping caused by worn-out rubber washers can be mended by replacing the washer. This type of leak is found in a compression faucet.

IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF WASHER
Often, if the washer is not installed properly or is not the right size, it can cause a leaky faucet. We suggest hiring a professional plumber to help you install the washer properly, allowing you to say goodbye to your leak.

If you are experiencing a leaky faucet, contact Richie’s Plumbing today for all of your plumbing questions and answers.

Call 504-241-1556