5 Reasons Why Faucets Leak

There are few things more irritating than the feeling of being in bed, about to sleep, and hearing the annoying drops of water from your toilet faucet, ringing distinctly in your ears.

While one can argue what sound is the most unpleasant in the world, the sound of a leaky faucet can safely be considered among the top 10. But, instead of having a plumber from a local plumbing company check your leaky faucets every so often, it is better that you know the reasons why a faucet may lead to leaks. These are as follows.

1.      The O-Ring Has Become Outdated

Firstly, the O-ring of the faucet may have become obsolete or outdated, which may be causing it to leak. Since the O-ring is made out of rubber, it can lose its function due to wear and tear and break the seal and lead to water leakage. Fortunately, an O-ring is inexpensive and easy to replace. Instead of replacing the entire faucet, replacing an O-ring can be a better and economical option for you.

2.      Washer Was Not Installed Properly

In other cases, it may be that the washer was either installed improperly or has worn out due to continuous use. Simply replacing the washer can provide an easy fix to your leaky faucet problem..

3.      Pipes Connecting To the Faucet Are Damaged

Unlike the first two causes, this should be taken care of as quickly as possible. If the pipes are damaged, it will spill more water and result in greater damage to your home. Also, the accumulation of moisture will also make it likely for mold to form and grow, leading to various health hazards.

4.      Valve Seat Is Corroded

A corroded or worn out valve seat can also explain why a faucet is leaking. In this case, you need to check how easily the seat valve can be removed.

This is because only some valve seats are designed to be removed. If you have one that can be removed easily, simply replace the valve seat with a new one.

5.      Components of the Faucet Are Loose

It may be that the components of a faucet have loosened due to continuous use, which may be causing the leak. In such cases, the packing nuts or the steam screw can loosen and may require you to tighten or replace it.

Our Frederick plumbers have the expertise and experience in carrying out faucet repairs. For a range of faucet plumbing services, please get in touch with us today.