Written on: December 12, 2022
If you’re bugged by the sound of the dripping from a leaky faucet, there’s another reason you should be bothered.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, a faucet that’s leaking at the rate of one drip per second wastes about 3,000 gallons of water each year. That’s the equivalent of 180 showers!
You can save money and get rid of that annoyance by eliminating the leak. We’ve put together a list of some of the more common causes of a leaky faucet. If you have some basic DIY plumbing skills and the proper tools, you may be able to fix some of these problems yourself. However, if you’re uncertain about investigating your home’s plumbing issues or problems, Williams Energy’s plumbing service is here for you with expert leak repair.
If water is dripping from your faucet even after it’s been shut off, this may be a sign that the seat washer is loose or damaged.
Issues with washers are actually pretty common in cases of sink faucets leaking. The screw for the seat washer can become loose over time from being used frequently, which then causes the water to drip or makes noise.
Some newer faucets have plastic valve cartridges that need to be replaced every once in a while. Often, these types of seats are made of plastic and come with springs too. Both of which may need replacing eventually as well.
If your faucet only leaks at certain times during the day, it may be due to unstable water pressure. When water pressure is too high, it can cause water to back up and look for ways to escape. This often happens through a leaky faucet.
If you think this may be the problem, the best way to deal with it is to contact the Williams Energy plumbing team and have us inspect the pressure.
A deteriorated valve seat is often to blame for a leaking faucet. The valve seat connects the compression mechanism to the valve / cartridge. In older seats, brass was used, and it could simply be resurfaced. However, with today’s newer plastic seats, you have to replace the unit as a whole.
A small rubber ring called an O-ring is located around the valve stem and may be the cause of your faucet’s leak. These rings can become loose or damaged over time with normal use. If you’re seeing leakage from beneath your faucet handle, it may simply mean that the O-rings there need to be replaced.
If your sink faucet is leaking around the spout base, don’t worry. This is a common problem that can be fixed by removing the spout and replacing the two O-rings. Often, though, the faucet spout is too badly pitted from hard water or a neglected leak to be sealable with new O-rings. If this describes your situation, it’s time to replace the entire faucet. However, if there isn’t too much damage, then new O-rings should fix your leak. You should apply plumber’s grease to the O-rings before returning the faucet onto the base. This may be a situation where you want a professional plumber to handle things.
Stop those annoying drips and higher water bills! Contact Williams Energy today for a plumbing service call.