Drip, drip, drip. That dripping faucet is putting a damper on your day. Worse, you’re losing up to three gallons to the drain daily, leaving you with a hefty water bill to contend with. But what’s causing it in the first place?
There are several causes for a dripping faucet, including:
- Broken O-ring. The O-ring is a small disc that creates a watertight seal at the base of the spout. If it cracks or stretches out, your faucet will leak. O-rings usually deteriorate with age or exposure to harsh cleaners, so you should minimize cleaning this area with such products.
- Corroded Valve Seat. Mineral deposits from hard water can also gradually corrode the valve seat, which connects the faucet to the spout. This corrosion roughens the surface, preventing a tight seal. Fixing this problem involves replacing the entire valve.
- Broken Washers. Washers are small rubber gaskets that sit against the valve seat. Over time, constant rubbing wears down the washers such that they no longer seal properly when the faucet is closed. This leads to a leaky faucet
- High Water Pressure. Most homes operate with water pressure between 45-80 PSI (pounds per square inch). However, consistent pressure over 80 PSI can accelerate wear and tear on your faucet’s components. To address this problem, we usually recommend installing a pressure regulator on the main water line in your home. This helps maintain water pressure within a safe range for your water outlets.
- Poor Installation. If the faucet base is not perfectly aligned and adequately secured to the sink, it can shift and cause drips at the spout or handle connections. Sometimes, poor sealing in the threaded connections of your faucet or between the faucet and sink is to blame.
If you’re experiencing a dripping faucet and want a quick and lasting solution, contact us today at A Step Above Plumbing Inc.