How You Can Fix a Leaky Faucet: Our Practical Guide
Leaky faucets: although these problems may not seem so significant at first compared to other plumbing troubles at home, the truth is that they’re a nuisance not to be messed with because of the trouble they bring.
Regardless if you’re dealing with a problem that manifests in annoying drops from the spout or one that can’t be fully shut off, a leaky appliance will always be a concern. Considering that even the slowest or random drips can lead to higher bills, extra damage, and wasted water, it’s easy to see why such problems shouldn’t be taken lightly either way.
While you may know that incessant dripping is a concern that can’t ever be overlooked, the chances are that you also don’t know about the problem at hand as well as you should. Thankfully, you won’t have to be a sitting duck with a leaky valve because understanding the problem isn’t difficult once you keep this guide in mind:
Why do faucets leak?
To best understand why faucets leak, it’s critical to first know how they work. Typically, the conventional system works by controlling the flow of water through an inner stem or cartridge with rubber or neoprene washers or seals. These washers and seals then open and close against water inlet ports inside the faucet body to open, close, or control the flow of water that comes out.
The trouble with leaky faucets often brews whenever the seals mentioned above don’t properly fit. This is a problem that may not seem like much at first but will definitely give its fair share of headaches in the long run. Often, the seal failures happen because of any of these gap-causing problems:
- Corrosion
- Foreign material in a faucet body
- Washers or seals that have lost their resiliency
Once a gap develops, the resulting issue allows a small amount of water to continue up to the faucet spout until it creates a constant, wasteful, and uncontrolled dripping, causing the annoying problem in question!
Fixing the problem in question
Contrary to popular belief, leaky faucets aren’t the “impossible fix” that most people claim them to be because all it really requires is the right tips in mind, some patience, and basic tools. Whether your leaks are caused by work O-rings, corroded parts, or mineral buildup, this guide will serve you particularly well and ensure that you come prepared to hand your pesky leak with ease:
Step #1: Turn your water supply off
Before using any wrench or screwdriver on your fixture, make sure your water supply is turned off. Typically, you’ll be able to turn the supply off by turning each knob from the handles over the sink to the knobs underneath that control the water coming in from the mainline.
Step #2: Remove decorative parts and other knobs
After you turn off your water supply, you’ll need to remove all the other bits and fixings in your faucet—namely your knobs, ornamental handles, or anything that controls the flow of your water. Once you remove both knobs, you’ll be able to access and unscrew the screw that mounts the handle to the stem!
Step #3: Loosen the packing nuts and put in your replacements
By the time you’ve moved everything aside, you’ll need to loosen the packing nut and remove the stem with a wrench so that you can put your replacement O-ring and washer to fix the leak. Afterward, put the stem back to test for dripping or leaking—if a leak remains, then it’s best to call in the services of Benjamin Franklin Plumbing’s experts!
Conclusion
As minor as it may seem at first, dealing with a leaky faucet will always be a concern because the problems and risks that it brings will affect your sanity, water bill, and plumbing. Through this guide’s help, you’ll have all the necessary details in mind and help ensure that you’re best-equipped to take care of the problem at hand!
Benjamin Franklin Plumbing provides professional plumbing services in California. If you’ve got a leaky faucet at home that won’t stop causing problems, get in touch with us today so that we can get everything sorted out!
