Leaky Faucets

Leaky faucets can be an annoying little problem that might grow into a bigger issue. Whether it’s the sound of dripping water or the idea of wasting water that drives you nuts, if you have a leak in your faucet, it is definitely time to resolve that issue. Even if it seems like more of a minor annoyance, rather than something that needs to be addressed right away, don’t wait! Leaky faucets can cause bigger problems than you might think. Here are a few complications that come from faucets left to drip.

Stains – Depending on the quality of your water, a dripping sink head or leaky faucet might begin to stain your sink. In a sink that doesn’t leak, there is time to dry and water and minerals all go down the drain. If there’s a leak, the surface of the sink is in constant contact with minerals, and a stain can happen. You might be able to clean it, but in some cases, you may have to replace the entire sink bowl, because the stain cannot be removed.

Moisture Problems – If there is wood nearby the faucet, it can begin to rot due to the constant moisture from the leak. Even if it doesn’t seem like the leak is getting to the wood, tiny moisture droplets are floating through the air and landing on whatever is nearby. Moisture can also create ideal growing conditions for mold. Whether you can see it or not, the tiny little moisture droplets coming from the leak can cause big problems that you might not see until much later, when the problem has gotten out of hand.

Clogs – If a leak is left alone for too long, it can create clogs, that lead to overflows. The same way that the minerals in water can build up and stain your sink, they can also create build up within pipes. A constant slow drip doesn’t allow for things to dry up and this can result in build up in the piping.

Bills – It may not seem like much at first, but leaky faucet drips definitely add up. According to the EPA, a leak that drips once per second, can add up to over 3,000 gallons of water each year – that’s a little less than 20 gallons a day. So don’t wait to fix the leak! Have it taken care of as soon as possible.

Cause of Leaky Faucet

There are a lot of working parts in a faucet, and any one of them could be the cause of the leak. Here are some common problem parts:

• O-rings: These rings create a tight seal between connecting parts, and if they become old, they can start to deteriorate, allowing water to seep out through gaps and cause a leak.
• Seals: Inlet seals allow water to flow when the faucet is turned on, and are responsible for stopping the water when the faucet is turned off. If you have hard water, or if there’s a surge in water pressure, that can harm the seal, and it can no longer stop water effectively, leading to a leak.
• Valve Seat: The valve seat’s job involves working with the on and off of the faucet. If it is old, or if you have really hard water, the valve seat can corrode and cause a leak. In most cases, a valve seat leak will appear near the handle, not the usual drip from the head of the faucet.
  Cartridges – If you have a faucet with only one handle, where you rotate one way or the other to switch from hot to cold water, the faucet cartridge could be the cause of a leak. The cartridge can become worn out through normal use.
  Washer – The washer is responsible for turning the water on and off. It opens to let water flow, and closes to stop water. This creates friction and can cause a washer to wear out. If the washer becomes too worn, a tight seal is not possible with the valve seat, which can result in a leak.

If you are having issues with a leaky faucet, don’t wait for it to grow into a bigger problem. Call Drain Wizards today to schedule an appointment with one of our highly-trained team members.