How to Avoid a Leaky Faucet

That drip-drop sound of a leaky faucet is enough to make even the most patient person angry and frustrated. For others, it’s the thought of a high water bill and water wastage that causes concern. All it takes is a quick call to the plumber to have your leaky faucet fixed, but how does it happen in the first place.

Did you know that dripping faucets contribute to 10,000 gallons of water being wasted every year? The annoying sound of water dripping can be stopped with a simple DIY fix, but that’s not enough to prevent it from happening.

When you know the common reasons why faucets leak in the first place, you’ll be better equipped to say goodbye to your faucet troubles.

Damaged Washer

Standard hardware parts, washers are thin, circular metal plates with a hole in between them. They’re usually used to evenly distribute the pressure of a fastener, like a bolt, on a surface. This prevents nuts and bolts from damaging the surface because they’re pressed against a washer, which has a smooth surface. Washers also prevent fasteners from coming loose when they’re in contact with uneven surfaces.

Oftentimes, the problem of a leaky faucet is because of a washer that’s become worn out over time. The water’s high pressure pushes the washer toward the valve seat, which creates friction. Eventually, this friction disintegrates the washer, causing water to leak.

Get a regular inspection from a plumbing contractor to have worn out washers replaced, to prevent your faucet from leaking.

Corroded Valve Seat

If a leaky faucet persists even after replacing the washer, the problem could be the valve seat. This helps in maintaining a compression mechanism by serving as a connecting part between the faucet and spout. Over time, prolonged use can cause sediments to accumulate in the valve seat, which causes corrosion.

In this case, you’ll notice that there’s leakage near the spout and you can avoid it by cleaning the area regularly or having it done by a professional plumbing contractor.

Loosened Toric Joint

Otherwise called an O-ring, the toric joint is a mechanical gasket that’s fixed to a stem bolt and helps hold the faucet handle in its place. Regular use loosens the toric joint, which can cause water to leak out from the handle.

This is commonly observed in cartridge faucets, so if you have this type of faucet, get it checked regularly to replace the O-ring on time and avoid leaks.

Improper Washer Installation

Sometimes, leaky faucets are caused by faulty installation. This often happens when people hire an inexperienced plumber to put together their faucet. Since there are multiple parts; plumbers may end up installing a wrong sized washer or installing it improperly.

Prevent this from happening by calling in a professional and checking whether the washer is a proper fit for your faucet unit. Have your faucet reinstalled and you’ll be good to go.

Cleaning and maintaining your faucets regularly can help avoid water wastage and soaring utility bills, but most importantly, reduces the impact on the environment.

CALL A LICENSED PLUMBER

Here at Carter’s My Plumber, we will evaluate the situation with courtesy, respect, and a smile!! We hope to have your plumbing back to working efficiently in no time! We know how inconvenient it is to be dealing with low water pressure when you have daily tasks that need to be done.  Don’t hesitate to give us a call at 317-859-9999 or make an appointment online! We are here for you and hope you entrust us with your plumbing needs.