A leaky faucet can be a major annoyance and can cause more problems than you might think. Not only do you have to deal with the annoying sound of constantly dripping water, but you also have to worry about a major waste of water, which can cost you a lot of money and isn’t exactly good for the environment. Plus, over time, a leaky faucet can cause permanent stains on the inside of your sink from the excess water and can cause other property damage as well.
For these reasons and more, it’s important to handle a leaky faucet problem as quickly as possible. First, though, you might be wondering what causes faucets to become leaky in the first place. This can be caused by many different things, but these are some of the four most common causes.
1. Poor Installation
Something like installing a sink faucet might not seem like a big deal and might seem like a great DIY project. However, if your sink faucet is not installed properly, it can be more prone to dripping. If you have a brand new faucet that has a dripping problem, or if parts of your faucet have recently been replaced and you have noticed that it has started dripping since, there is a good chance that the problem was caused by an improper installation. Luckily, a good plumber should be able to re-install it for you to get rid of the leak.
2. Worn-Out Washer
A washer is a small, simple and affordable part, but it does a very important job. Even though washers are designed to be durable, it’s not uncommon to experience wear and tear over time. This is because every time that you or someone else in your household turns your faucet off and on, the washer experiences friction and resistance. Luckily, even though this is a very common problem, it’s also a very easy one to fix. If you’re handy with tools, you might be able to replace the washer quickly and easily yourself. Otherwise, you may want to rely on a professional plumber to ensure that the job is done properly.
3. Loose Parts
Over time, even a faucet that was installed properly can have parts that begin to come loose with use. Luckily, the great thing about this common cause of leaks is the fact that it can be repaired quite easily, without having to buy any additional parts. All you have to worry about is tightening up all of the essential parts to help eliminate any leaks.
4. Worn-Out Seals
Just like washers, the seals on your sink faucets do a very important job. Over time, seals can begin to wear out, and they might not work to prevent water leaks like they once did. These are also affordable parts that can be changed out relatively quickly and easily in order to put a stop to any leaks that you’re dealing with.
As you can see, there are various things that can cause the faucets in your home to leak. If you are currently dealing with a leaky faucet, you might want to look into these common causes. A good plumber can also come in and take a look at your faucets to get to the bottom of the problem.
Charlie Teschner started MESA Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling in 1982. Charlie has a journeyman and master plumber’s license. He was raised with a strong work ethic and he now applies those values to tasks such as Longmont, CO heating repair.