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Rooterman

There are several reasons your faucets may be leaking. Here are the five most common reasons: 

A Damaged Cartridge

A cartridge-style faucet is one that has two handles, one for hot water and the other for cold water. Each handle has a valve called a cartridge that regulates the flow of water into the faucet spout. Water dripping from your faucet indicates that the cartridge is damaged.

Broken Washers

Broken washers are a frequent reason for a leaky faucet. Washers rub up against the valve seat, where they may eventually become worn down as a result of friction. This ultimately causes leaks. A washer’s incorrect size or improper installation might potentially cause it to leak.

Water Pressure

It may be your home’s water pressure that is the source of leaks if you find that your bathroom faucet only drips water occasionally, or when the handles are moved in a certain manner.

Malfunctioning O-Ring

The sink’s faucet has an O-ring in it. To keep the faucet handle in position, a tiny disc is fastened to the stem screw. O-rings are prone to deterioration, just like washers. This is most likely the reason for any leaks coming from one of your faucet’s handles.

Deteriorated Valve Seat

The valve seat may be the source of a leak coming from your faucet’s spout. The faucet and spout are joined by the valve seat. A leak might develop if sediment gathers and corrodes the seat.

How To Fix a Leaky Faucet

If you would like to try and fix the faucet drip on your own, you can certainly try. We have outlined below how that can be done. We do, however, always recommend that you have plumbing work done by a professional. 

Steps To Fix a Leaky Faucet:

Turn Off the Water 

Turning off the water is one of the most crucial stages in mending a leaky faucet. You risk flooding your bathroom if you don’t turn off the water to the sink. Locate the fixture shutdown valves beneath the sink, then crank the handles in a clockwise direction to turn off the water. If your faucet isn’t equipped with any shutdown valves, stop the house’s main water supply. Turning on the faucet will allow you to confirm that the water is shut off. If no water leaks out, your work was successful.

Disassemble the Faucet Handles

Depending on the kind of fixture, there are many ways to remove the handles of a leaking faucet. For common fixtures, you may expose the handle screws by removing the handle’s top cap with a flathead screwdriver. Pull the handles off by unscrewing them.

Detach the Valve Stem

You can see the inner valve stem or cartridge once the faucet handle has been removed. This must be taken out. The brass valve stems on compression faucets may be unscrewed. Cartridge faucets are then easily removed. You can consult your faucet’s handbook or find instructions online if you need help with the particular design of your faucet. 

Inspect the Parts

Once all the components have been removed, thoroughly examine them to determine what has to be changed to stop the leaky faucet. O-rings, seals, and rubber washers ought to be visible.

Replace Damaged Parts

Replace any worn-out, broken, or outdated components. The parts you require may be found at your neighborhood hardware shop. Bringing the old components into a hardware store and asking for exact copies is the best way to acquire the appropriate parts for your leaky faucet.

Sanitize the Valves

Once the stem or cartridge has been removed, have a look at the valve body. There is often mineral build-up. Pour white vinegar over the valve seat and let it sit there for a few minutes to clean it. Once removed, clean the sink’s other components to bring back its smoothness and shine.

Put the Faucet Back Together

Reassemble the faucet after you have the new replacement components and have cleaned everything. In order to check for leaks, turn on the water supply.

No matter your plumbing issue, call the experts at Rooter Man. We are a Local Full Service Plumbing and Drain Cleaning Company.  Our expert plumbers have served New Orleans, Metairie, LaPlace, Mandeville, Covington, and all surrounding areas for over 37 Years. We are conveniently located at 2545 Delaware Avenue in Kenner, LA 70062. Call us today (504) 464-0145. 

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