Dripping water from a faucet is not only annoying; it’s expensive. If you don’t put a stop to it, it will drain your wallet.
Let’s talk solutions to that leaky faucet.
When you fix a drippy faucet, you drop the cost of your water bill. You also stop wasting water. Household water leaks waste close to a trillion gallons of water every year.
See: your leak isn’t just hurting you; it hurts your neighbors as well. An unattended leak leads to damage in the home. That leak can also drain onto your neighbor’s property, depending on the location of the faucet.
When you put a stop to the leak, you protect your home and others around it.
Are you concerned about your water bill and the sound of dripping water? Read on as we look at how you can address the leaky faucet in your home.
Replace the Damaged Cartridge to Stop a Leaky Faucet
Most homes have a cartridge faucet. On this type of faucet, the cartridge is usually one of the first things to go.
When you notice a drip, you should inspect the cartridge first, but that’s a tricky process.
You’ll have to disassemble a few parts of the faucet to inspect the cartridge. This process involves shutting off the water and prying off and removing the handles.
You’ll then need to remove the retaining nut and clip. Once you’ve done that, remove the O-ring and take a look at the cartridge. If it’s damaged, replace it.
This process takes a little time, so if you don’t feel comfortable, call a professional plumber.
Change Your Worn Out O-Ring
Another reason for a dripping faucet is a worn-out O-Ring. The O-Ring is a small ring that helps keep the faucet handle in place. They’re similar to rubber washers.
O-rings wear out and get damaged over time. If you decide to disassemble the faucet, check the O-ring while you’re inside.
Look for blisters or pits on its surface. Inspect for cuts, gashes, and nicks as well. These happen due to rapid pressure changes. If you see any of these visible signs, replace the ring and reassemble the faucet.
The Washers Need Changing as Well
Like the O-ring, washers wear down as well. These are small rubber pieces that control the flow of water when you turn the faucet on. To examine them, follow the same disassembling process.
Don’t forget to turn off the water first. And remember, not all washers are the same. Size matters.
Make sure you replace the washers with the exact same size. If the washers are too big, you’ll end up with a bigger leak than you had.
For major issues like corrosion and water pressure, contact a plumber. A professional can take a deeper look into your pipes and replace them if necessary.
Fix the Leak
A leaky faucet leads to a leaky wallet. Stop the drip and save yourself some money on your monthly water bill.
Need a professional to take a look? Contact us today and get a quote about all your plumbing needs.