Written on: May 8, 2023
Even the most energetic and confident home do-it-yourselfer has projects they won’t tackle. It’s good to know your limits when it comes to taking care of the biggest investment you have – your home.
If you are not experienced in plumbing or don’t feel comfortable doing some plumbing tasks, Williams Energy is here to help with our expert plumbing service! Our team of licensed, skilled, and experienced plumbers will get your leak repair job done right so you have peace of mind.
This is one of the most common reasons for a dripping faucet. The washer gets worn out because it is repeatedly pressed against the valve seat during use, creating constant friction.
Repetitive use can cause the seat washer screw to loosen, resulting in a dripping or chattering faucet. If you have a newer faucet, it might feature plastic valve cartridges which may require replacement. Additionally, plastic seats with springs might need replacing too.
Another cause for a leaky or dripping faucet is if the washer was not installed properly or is not the correct size.
When dealing with a leaky sink faucet, checking the O-rings is a usual place to start.
If you’re unsure about what an O-ring is, it’s a small rubber ring positioned around the valve stem of your faucet that can loosen or get damaged due to regular use. If you’re observing leakage below the handle of your faucet, then it’s likely that the O-ring is causing the problem. You can fix this issue by replacing the O-ring, which is a simple task.
A frequently occurring issue with sink faucets is leakage around the base of the spout. The spout needs to be removed, and normally, the two O-rings must be replaced. However, sometimes, the faucet spout might be severely pitted due to hard water or an ignored leak. In such cases, replacing the O-rings won’t be enough to fix the issue, and it will be necessary to replace the entire faucet. If the pitting is not severe, replacing the O-ring should fix the leak. Apply plumber’s grease on the O-rings before reinstalling the faucet on the base. It’s possible that this repair might require professional help.
Is the leak coming from a dripping faucet? If your faucet is dripping, a corroded valve seat could be the cause. The valve seat is where the valve or cartridge connects in the compression mechanism. Very often, sediment can weaken or corrode the valve seat. Brass valve seats used to be repairable, but the newer plastic seats require the entire unit to be replaced.
Incorrect water pressure levels can lead to leakage in faucets and other water fixtures. Water may not flow smoothly through pipes if there is low water pressure. This can result in water backing up and eventually escaping through various points, including faucets and your toilet tank. Although high water pressure may not seem like a major issue, it can cause leaks in valves and corroded pipes that are not properly secured. Get in touch with Williams Energy so our plumbers can audit your plumbing system and figure out the appropriate water pressure setting for your requirements.
Don’t let a leaky faucet add to your water bills. Contact Williams Energy today and we’ll come fix it!