What Could Be Causing Your
Dripping Faucet?

That constant dripping from a leaky faucet is not only annoying but a waste of money. Whether the drip is slow or more consistent, you’ve likely already determined which faucet it’s coming from, but what is really causing the leak? Here are some common issues that could be causing your dripping faucet.

• Damaged O ring: The O ring is a small, rubber ring that sits inside the spout of a faucet to prevent leaks. If your dripping faucet is mostly caused by water coming out around the base of the spout while the water is running, this could be your problem.
• Corroded valve seat: The valve seat is closer to the base of the faucet and is the piece that helps connect the faucet and the spout. The corrosion is often caused by hard water built up around the spout or the valve seat itself. If you have water leaking from the spout even when the water is off, this could be the cause of the problem.
• Deteriorated washer: The washer is a piece that sits against the valve seat, and any friction between the two could cause deterioration over time. A dripping faucet can also occur if the washer was installed incorrectly or is the wrong size. This is another issue that could be causing the leak to come from the spout.
• Improperly installed parts in the plumbing system: The loosely or improperly installed parts could be any part of your faucet, but most commonly, it’s the sink handles or the spout. If the handles are improperly installed, the leak will come from the base of the handles rather than a part of the faucet.

One important thing to remember while you’re inspecting your dripping faucet is to always shut off the water before you start working. Otherwise, you’ll likely run into much messier issues. If you need any repairs for your dripping faucet, give us a call at A Step Above Plumbing Inc. today.