Drip… drip… drip.
A dripping faucet might seem like one of those little home maintenance problems you can put off until another day. After all, how much trouble can a few drops of water really cause? While a leaky kitchen or bathroom faucet isn’t always an emergency, it shouldn’t be ignored. That constant drip can waste water, increase your water usage, and signal that parts inside your faucet are wearing out. And as most homeowners know, taking care of small maintenance issues early can help prevent bigger headaches later. If you’re wondering why your faucet is dripping, here are three common causes to consider.
Three Common Causes of a Dripping Faucet
1. A Worn-Out Faucet Washer
Have a sink with separate hot and cold handles that you tighten to turn off the water? You may have a compression faucet. Inside a compression faucet are washers that help create a watertight seal. Every time you turn the faucet on or off, those washers experience wear and tear. Eventually, they can become worn, damaged, corroded, or improperly seated. Once the washer stops creating a tight seal, water can slip through even when the faucet is turned off, resulting in that annoying drip.
Replacing the washer may be enough to solve the problem. Just remember that the replacement needs to be the correct size and properly installed.
2. A Damaged or Loose O-Ring
Sometimes, your faucet doesn’t drip directly into the sink. Instead, you may notice water collecting around the faucet handle or base. In that case, an O-ring could be the culprit. O-rings are small components that help create watertight seals inside certain compression and cartridge faucets. Over time, an O-ring can loosen, crack, or simply wear out.
Replacing a damaged O-ring can sometimes stop the leak, but you’ll need the right size for your faucet. If you replace it and water continues appearing around the handle, there may be another issue that requires professional attention.
3. A Worn Faucet Cartridge
If your faucet has one or two handles that move smoothly rather than requiring you to tighten them down, you may have a cartridge faucet. The cartridge inside the faucet controls the flow of water. As it wears out or becomes damaged, it may no longer completely stop the water when you turn off the faucet.
Replacing the cartridge can often resolve the problem. However, finding the right replacement can be tricky because cartridges vary between faucet brands and models.
Should You Fix a Dripping Faucet Yourself?
If you’re comfortable with basic home repairs, replacing a washer or O-ring may be a manageable DIY project. But before taking your faucet apart, remember to shut off the water supply and make sure you know what type of faucet you’re working with.
It may be time to call a professional plumber if you can’t identify the source of the leak, the faucet continues dripping after replacing a component, parts are corroded or difficult to remove, or you simply don’t want to risk making the problem worse. For homeowners, knowing when to call in a professional can save time and frustration. Plumbers 911 is here to help!
Take Care of Your Leaky Faucet with Plumbers911
Your home requires regular maintenance, and your plumbing is no exception. Taking care of a dripping kitchen or bathroom faucet can help conserve water and keep a minor plumbing problem from becoming an ongoing annoyance.
If you need faucet repair in Central California, Plumbers911 can connect you with experienced plumbing professionals who can identify the problem and recommend the appropriate repair. Plumbers911 serves homeowners in Fresno, Clovis, Madera, Tracy, Lodi, and communities throughout California’s Central Valley.
Don’t spend another week listening to drip… drip… drip. Call Plumbers911 at (559) 258-1904 or (209) 809-1468 and get your leaky faucet, and your home, back in working order!
