Leaking faucets are usual plumbing issues that homeowners encounter. And though it is easy to replace or repair a leaking faucet, the bottom line is that it’s still time-consuming and inconvenient. To help you keep your faucets at tip-top shape, it is important that you know what causes the leaks in the first place. Read on and learn valuable plumbing information today!
1. LOOSE PARTS
Over the years, the packing nuts and the adjusting ring of the faucet will become loose. Thus, leaks will occur along the faucet handle. When this happens, the packing nut must be tightened or totally replaced.
2. IMPROPER WASHER INSTALLATION
This is a rare occurrence but it happens. There are times when the washer is not properly installed or sized thus resulting to leaks. To fix the problem, of course, the correct washer size should be used and it must be installed the right way.
3. WORN OUT WASHER
Speaking of washers, among the most common culprits of faucet leaks is the deterioration of the washer. You see, every time that the faucet is used, the washer is pressed against its seat valve. The friction between the two components causes the wear and tear of the washer thus resulting to dripping. To stop the leak, the washer must be replaced immediately.
4. WORN OUT O-RING
Another part that usually gets the beating is the O-ring. O-rings are small discs that are attached to the faucet’s stem screw. And just like the washer, O-rings also wear out due to constant usage of the faucet. As usual, the immediate replacement of the O-ring will stop the leak.
5. WORN OUT SEALS
Yes, there’s still another part that wears out over time — the inlet and outlet seals. These are vital components of disc faucets and the buildup of sediments inside the faucet assembly is what causes these things to wear out. To prevent this issue, the inlet and outlet seals must be cleared of sediments regularly. When they are already damaged, replace them.
6. RUSTY SEAT VALVE
The seat valve is the one responsible for connecting the spout and the faucet. When water sediments accumulate in the seat valve, it gets corroded and leads to leaks. As usual, clean the valve seat consistently to avoid corrosion and dripping.
7. BROKEN PLUMBING
Damaged fittings and pipes may also cause faucet leaks. When the pipes break or develop cracks, the water pressure may get interrupted thus cause the faucet to drip. To get through this issue, you should hire a licensed plumber to fix the affected pipes for you.
We hope that you learned what causes a leaky faucet from our blog today. If your faucet is leaking, just call reliable emergency Hillsboro Beach plumbers. Douglas Orr Plumbing provides trusted plumbing services in Hillsboro Beach FL including faucet repair, hot water heater service, leak detection, kitchen remodeling, bathroom remodeling and many more! Call us at (305) 240-6731to schedule a service!
Learn how to replace or install your bathroom faucet. Watch this video now!