Given your busy day to day, it’s exhausting to find a leaky Some homeowners choose to dismiss this issue as a minor annoyance, but leaky faucets can result in widespread problems if not addressed promptly. Learn what causes faucet leaks, why it's important to fix them, and how calling a plumber can save you money, time and stress.
Reasons Behind a Leak in Your Faucets
You expect your fixtures to work as designed, but a dripping faucet can still pop up for several reasons. Here are the most common root causes.
1. Damage to the O-Ring
The O-ring is a tiny ring-shaped component made with rubber that helps ensure a leak-proof seal in the faucet. O-rings wear out over time, eventually leaking water along the faucet handle. They’re generally made from durable rubber, but even the highest-quality materials degrade with regular use and water exposure. Removing and replacing a damaged O-ring is an easy fix, but it requires the correct measurements and type of faucet.
2. Cracked Gasket
The gasket provides another seal between the faucet and the countertop. A broken gasket is the likely culprit if the base of your faucet leaks. With enough time, gaskets can break or become warped, affecting the entire seal. Just like O-rings, gaskets are relatively inexpensive and straightforward to replace, but choosing the right replacement gasket is important.
3. Poorly Installed Washer
A damaged or improperly installed washer can regularly result in leaks. Washers tend to break down sooner than other components due to the heavy pressure placed on them, so they often need more consistent replacement.
4. A Rusty Valve Seat
The valve seat connects the faucet itself to the spout and is designed to control the water flow. Corrosion or other deterioration of the valve seat can cause the spout to drip. Mineral deposits from water with high mineral content is the primary cause of valve seat corrosion and leaks. Regular cleaning can help a bit with limiting buildup, but if the corrosion is widespread, the valve seat will require replacement.
Other Issues Related to a Leak in Your Faucet
Overlooking a dripping faucet exposes you to a number of other plumbing issues than you might think. Here are the possible consequences of inaction:
Annoying Drip Sounds
The constant drip, drip, drip of a dripping faucet can be incredibly frustrating, especially in quiet spaces or when you’re attempting to sleep. The persistent noise, even if it is something as seemingly insignificant as a dripping faucet, can still result in extra stress.
Wasting Water and High Monthly Bills
A dripping faucet uses up more water than you may believe. According to the EPA, one drip per second wastes approximately 3,000 gallons of water per year, or as much as taking 180 showers. This hurts the environment and raises your monthly water bill.
Potential Pest Issues
Even small amounts of water attract bugs looking for food, water or just a place to hide. A dripping faucet can create a breeding ground for bugs and rats, especially in moist areas such as under the sink. If ignored for too long pest issues will require costly extermination and prevention treatment services.
Structural Damage
A dripping faucet can gradually contribute to property damage over time, especially if the leak is in an area where water can build up. Over time, this standing water can damage wood, foster mold growth and even start to impact your home’s foundation, resulting in extensive AND expensive renovations.
Weaker Water Pressure
A dripping faucet can result in a decrease in water pressure, making it hard to operate other plumbing features. Decreased water pressure can also make it challenging to use appliances that require proper water pressure.
Why Call a Local Plumber?
Calling an Expert for plumbing services can save you from wasting time and money. Professional plumbers possess the tools and experience needed to uncover and resolve the problem.
Peace of Mind
With a professional fixing the leak, you can count on the fact that the solution lasts, preventing future leaks and replacing them with peace of mind.
Cost-Effective Solution
While a dripping faucet might appear like a minor headache, ignoring it for too long will often result in bigger costs in the future, including a spike in your water bills and in severe cases, structural damage. Calling a plumber for a quick resolution is an affordable decision.
Expert Advice
Professional plumbers can offer valuable advice on ways to prevent future leaks and maintain your plumbing fixtures so they stay in excellent condition.
Schedule Dripping Faucet Repair Now
If you spy any of the likely signs of a dripping faucet, don’t wait—contact Service Experts for trustworthy leaky faucet repair. We offer fast, longer-lasting repairs to all your plumbing problems. Contact us today for professional assistance.
