How to Keep a Leaky Faucet From Ruining the Mood

Why You Shouldn’t Ignore a Leaky Faucet 

A dripping faucet can lead to many issues. Some of the problems are just a nuisance, but others may cause significant damage to the home and even pose health safety risks. In this article, plumbing experts share some of the dangers homeowners should be on the lookout for, along with simple repair tips to protect the home. 

The Impact of a Dripping Faucet

The biggest issue with continuous leakage is damage. Water can cause the surfaces around the faucet to suffer – countertops, shelving, and floors will be the first to take the hit. The foundation will be next in line if the leak is large enough. Similarly, these damp conditions can lead to mold growth, the biggest danger to homeowner health. 

Leaky faucets can waste up to 3,000 gallons a year! To put it into layman’s terms, that would be 180 hot showers wasted. Not to mention this would cause an astronomical water bill. Dripping faucets can increase the water bill up to 10% a month. 

Why Is It leaking?

Many problems arise from a leaky faucet, but there may be a few things causing it to leak—corrosion, defective gaskets or o-rings, even down to simple mineral deposits. Corrosion is mainly the deposits in the water that eats away at the metal over time. 

Defective o-rings will cause the water to spurt since the rubber keeping the faucet sealed is now loose. Another issue could be mineral deposits in the faucet. This buildup consists of calcium salts that move through the pipes and back up in the faucet. 

Fixing the Leak

There are a few more steps involved when replacing the sink cartridge. The first thing is to turn off the water beneath the sink. Ensure that the valve is completely closed before proceeding. Turn the hot and cold valves on full force until water no longer drips into the sink. This allows the water in the pipes to empty completely. Remove the handle covers; this will expose the screws beneath. Unscrew them. Pull straight up to remove them once the screws are removed. 

The cartridge should be visible; it is a plastic cylinder with notches on the side. Pull the cartridge out. Once it is out, look inside the faucet for the o-ring. If it doesn’t slip off, it can be cut. Clean any debris from the faucet, and be sure to clean up any excess water. 

Now it’s time to add the new cartridge and reassemble the sink. Check with the manufacturer when completing this process, as it differs based on the sink type. 

About Daniel Cordova Plumbing

Since 2011, Daniel Cordova has been an expert plumber with 30 years of experience. He currently services a long list of counties throughout West Covina and Glendora. Their expert plumbers can handle any leaky faucet repair and protect the home in the process. 

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