Drip, drip, drip… the sound of a leaking faucet, a nagging sound for most of us. Why and what causes this to happen? Learn about several frequent causes of a leaky faucet below.
1. O-Ring is bad
A loose or worn-out O ring might be the culprit. It’s a small disc attached to the stem screw that holds the handle of the faucet in place. If a sink handle is leaking, this is the cause of the leak.
2. The Cartridge is Worn-Out
The cartridge itself may need to be replaced. You’ll need to make sure you have a matching replacement cartridge to swap it with.
3. Corroded Valve Seal
If the leak is coming from the spout, it could be an issue with the valve seat, which connects the faucet and the spout. Water sediments can build up and can corrode the valve seat, causing a leak. With the help of a professional, schedule regular cleaning of the valve seat.
4. Worn-Out Washers or Seals
A common cause of spout leakage is problems with the washer that rests against the valve seat. The friction between these two parts, over time, can cause the washer to wear out. Washers installed incorrectly or are the wrong size will cause a leak. Inlet and outlet seals can become corroded by the accumulation of water sediments.
5. Loose Parts
The adjusting ring and packing nuts in the stream screw can become loose over time. Tightening the packing nut or replacing it will usually do the trick to fix the leaky faucet.
Identifying the cause of the leak is the first to repair the leak.