Drip. Drip. Drip. Leaky faucets can certainly be a source of annoyance, especially if you are trying to sleep or concentrate in an otherwise quiet house. But the truth is, leaky faucets can wreck more than just your nerves. For starters, a leaky faucet can waste up to 2000 gallons of water annually. This can make for a steep water bill as well as water stains in your sink or bathtub from the constant drip.
Common Causes of Faucet Leaks
Repairing a leaky faucet is critical, but first you must determine the root cause of why water is escaping from the fixture despite your efforts to turn the faucet off. Here are a few hints to help you diagnose the reason behind the drip:
Worn Out or Damaged Seal
All faucets have a special cartridge or seal to prevent water from leaking out when the valve is in the “off” position. These are typically O-shaped rubber rings. Unfortunately, rubber can wear down over time, resulting in that annoying and costly drip. The good news is that faucet cartridges are not expensive and easy to replace.
Bad Water Pressure
If your faucet only drips for a certain amount of time, water pressure may be to blame. All faucets depend on a specific level of water pressure to run efficiently. If the pressure is off, water may not flow at a normal pace. This requires a professional to ensure you don’t have more serious issues within your plumbing.
Broken or Cracked Pipes
In some cases, the culprit of a leaky faucet is traced back to the underlying pipes that carry water through your house. Even minor damage or small cracks in a plumbing pipe can compromise water pressure and create a back-up in certain areas. If you have pipes that run underground, they are at risk for extreme temperatures that can shrink pipe materials and cause them to crack. This can be one of the most complicated types of leaky faucet repair, but one that is highly important to address.
These are just a few of the most common reasons why your faucet may suddenly decide to leak or drip. We encourage you to address these seemingly minor plumbing problems sooner rather than later. It can often save you time and money in repairs! At Covenant Plumbing, you can expect a prompt response and honest rates on faucet repair and other plumbing services in Macon.