Plumber Tips: Common Causes Of Leaking Faucets | Conway, SC
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Are you a homeowner who has a leaky faucet? If so, you’re likely wondering what the cause of the leak is likely to be. There are many reasons that your faucet could be leaking. Perhaps there’s an issue with the o ring, the disc that holds the faucet handle in place. If the o ring wears out, it can cause leaking. Or maybe the valve has corroded. Leaks can be caused by several things such as problems with the washer, worn out seals, or broken pipes or fittings.
If you have a leaking faucet, the best thing that you can do is call in the experts. A plumber will be able to detect the problem and will know exactly how to fix it. You may want to contact Benjamin Franklin if you’re searching for a plumber in Conway, SC.
This article will look at some of the most common reasons that faucets leak. While the amount of problems seems daunting, they can all be easily rectified by a plumber.
Why is my faucet leaking?
A leaking faucet is one of the most common plumbing problems and is an issue that plumbers see daily. The good news is that leaking or dripping faucets can be easily fixed in most cases.
A leaky faucet can cause homeowners many problems; they may disturb your sleep and will increase your water bill. Leaky taps can be annoying and inconvenient. If you don’t get your faucet fixed, this will lead to over a hundred gallons of water being wasted every month. Fixing a leaking or dripping faucet will help to save you up to 10% on your water bill.
Problems with the O Ring
The faucet is held in place using a stem screw, which has a small O ring attached to it. A common reason that a tap drips is if there are problems with the O ring. Your faucets O ring may have become loose, or it could have worn out. Over time and with regular use, the o ring can suffer from general wear and tear. This causes the faucet to drip near the handle.
If the O ring is the cause of your faucets leak, this can be easily rectified by replacing the O ring. If you have a cartridge faucet, leaks and drips are likely to be caused by a damaged O ring.
Corroded Valve
The valve seat creates a connection between your faucet and its spout in the compression mechanism. Over time the valve starts to suffer wear and tear, and this causes it to corrode. Water sediments create corrosion, which leads to leakage around the spout area. A professional can clean the valve seat or replace it to fix the leak.
Worn Out Washer
Another common reason that faucets drip is because the washer starts to wear out. Each time the faucet is opened, the washer is forced against the valve seat, which causes friction and eventually causes it to wear out.
When the washer begins to wear out, you’ll notice dripping around the spout. If your faucet has a drip that’s caused by a worn-out rubber washer, this can be easily fixed by replacing the washer. If you have a compression faucet, then a worn-out washer is likely to be the cause of your leak.
A Washer That’s Incorrectly Installed
Often there isn’t a problem with the faucet itself or with any of the mechanisms. The issues may be caused by a washer that is not installed correctly. Sometimes a washer of the incorrect size has been used, and this can cause a leaky faucet.
If you think your washer is the wrong size or has been incorrectly installed, it’s best to call a professional to fix it properly. This will stop the leak, or stop your faucet from dripping.
Leaks Under the Sink
If your faucet is leaking under the sink, this could be difficult to spot. Most homeowners don’t look under their sinks very often. Having a leak under the sink is likely to be very damaging if it’s not noticed straight away.
This type of leak can damage your floor or even seep through the floorboards and cause very expensive damage.
If you have a leak under the sink, they likely come from one of two sources. Either the water supply connections are loose, or the sink drain or P-trap connections may be loose.
In some cases, these types of leaks are tiny, which will make them tricky to spot. You can lay paper towels under the sink to catch the water and phone a plumber who will be able to see exactly where the leak is coming from. The plumber will likely check the water supply lines, and these have three connections. The problem may be where the supply pipes are connected to the shut-off valves or where the valves connect to the flexible supply tubes. In other cases, the leak could be caused by the supply tubes which connect to the faucet’s tailpieces. If the leak is in any of these locations, a professional will be able to tighten the connections to fix it.
Benjamin Franklin, Plumber
If you’re searching for a plumber in Conway, SC, or the surrounding area, don’t hesitate to contact Benjamin Franklin. The company provides affordable, good quality plumbing service and prides themselves for being on time. They have achieved an A+ rating with BBB and are a top-rated Home Advisor business. They are also members of PHCC, the Plumbing Heating Cooling Contractors.
Benjamin Franklin supplies plumbers that are highly skilled and kept up to date with current plumbing techniques. They can carry out sink and tub replacement and deal with slab leaks and gas leaks.
Benjamin Franklin can be contacted on 843.213.6611, they are available for all types of plumbing work and emergency call out.