Plumbing leaks create many headaches and pocketbook aches for homeowners. It’s important to conserve water. Not only does faulty plumbing waste water, so does a simple leaky faucet. According to the EPA, a leaky faucet can waste over 3,000 of water per year.
You may not need to call a 24 hour plumber if your only plumbing problem is a leaky faucet. Homeowners can fix these without any advanced plumbing knowledge. We’ll take a look at some of the common reasons for a leaky faucet and what a homeowner can do to fix it.
Common Water Faucet Problems
- The O-ring, a small plastic disc attached to the stem screw at the base of the faucet handle, is a common culprit for water waste. It can become loose or worn out over time. If this happens, your faucet will drip at the handle. Along with water puddling, mineral buildup at the faucet’s base is a common sign of a faulty O-ring.
- The faucet’s valve seat (which connects the faucet to the water pipe) can become corroded over time, which can cause the seal to fail and leak water. Hard water or minerals in the water can cause the premature failure of the valve seat.
- There are other assorted parts that keep your faucet watertight. If any of these wear out, your faucet can leak water. There are gaskets, seals, nuts and the previously mentioned O-ring. All these parts over time can contribute to a leaky faucet. Over time, things degrade and wear out. Sometimes, a simple tightening of the part with a wrench can fix a leaky faucet, however, replacing the worn out part may be the needed fix.
- There are different types of faucets. For example, there are compression and disc faucets. If you have the latter, there are inlet and outlet seals that wear out with over usage. Also, mineral in the water can contribute to the degradation of these seals. You may be able to clean the seals, but replacing them is the longer term fix.
The good news is that many simple faucet fixes can be done by a homeowner. You’ll feel good and save money by doing simple cleaning or repair of your faucet’s parts.
However, if the leak is severe or there is a problem that you cannot fix, such as burst pipes, call a local 24 hour plumber. There may be additional charges for the plumbing services of after hours or emergency plumbers. Whether you have questions regarding leak repair or drain cleaning, professional plumbers can help. Call a 24 hour plumber near you for answers to your plumbing questions and for their hours and rates.
