Posted by A leaking faucet can waste up to a hundred dirhams worth of water, and that is just due to a minor water leak. When you have large tap leakages, it can waste more than 30 gallons of water a day. This not only puts a significant dent in your pocket but also affects the amount of safe drinking water available. Even by eliminating leaks, so much potable water can be saved. So, by fixing this small problem, you will be contributing to a sustainable future and the environment as well.
When a faucet in your home starts leaking, you might wonder what went wrong with your faucet. Today, we will explain 5 reasons why taps in your home could be leaking and also discuss the steps to fix these leakages for which you will need plumbing maintenance professionals.
Reasons Behind Tap Leakages
A Damaged Cartridge
A faucet that comes with two handles – one for hot water and the other for cold water – is called a cartridge-style faucet. This cartridge acts as a valve on each handle that helps control the flow of water into the faucet spout. Thus, if your faucet is leaking, there are chances that its cartridge has been damaged due to aging, impact, or inappropriate use.
Damaged Washers
One of the most common causes behind leaking faucets is broken washers. Washers are small components installed against the valve seat. Over years of usage, these washers eventually wear out. As a result, old taps start leaking. Besides, a tap can also leak when washers of the wrong size have been used during installation.
A Worn-Out O-Ring
An O-ring is usually located in the sink’s faucet. It is a component that resembles a small disc. It is attached to the stem screw to hold the handle of the faucet in place. Just like washers, O-rings can also wear out over time due to friction. Thus, if you find the handle of your faucet leaking, then a damaged O-ring is the most probable cause.
A Degrading Valve Seat
If you notice that the spout of your faucet is leaking, then the culprit behind this leak could be the valve seat. The valve seat helps join the faucet to the spout. When sediment builds up over time and corrodes the valve seat, then you can face tap leakage issues.
Water Pressure
Though it might not come to your mind at first, water pressure can also be a reason behind faucet leakages. When the faucet in your bathroom drips water only during certain times or when your faucet handles moves in a particular way, then water pressure might be the cause.
How to Fix a Leaky Faucet
- First of all, you should be able to identify the exact cause behind the leaking faucet.
- Once you get some idea of what could be the most probable reason, first turn off the water through shutoff values or the main water supply.
- Disassemble the handles of a dripping faucet using a flathead screwdriver.
- Remove the inner valve stem or cartridge. At this step, you might need to look at the faucet manual.
- Carefully, inspect the parts of the faucet to see what part exactly needs replacement.
- Replace the worn-out or damaged parts with new ones (with the same specifications).
- Clean the valves if there is mineral buildup.
- Now, assemble the faucet the way it was before you disassembled it.
While these steps might seem simple, they are not easy by any means unless you, yourself, are a professional handyman or plumber. You need proper tools and the knowledge of how to use these tools safely. So, we highly recommend seeking the services of professionals when it comes to plumbing maintenance.