Leaky faucets are a common household problem. When you notice a leak, you should take care of it right away, whether through professional means or by doing it yourself (DIY). Leaky faucets can cause major damage to your home, not to mention they can rack up a pretty hefty utility bill. Spotting a drip is essential, and these helpful tips will keep you informed on how to stop a drip from spilling into your wallet.

Causes of a Leaky Faucet

Disc cartridge faucets have inlet and outlet seals that can become worn over time. You may try to DIY your way to a fixed faucet only to realize you need an expert leaky faucet repair Port St. Lucie plumber. These experts know that when they clean the water sediment from the seals, you’ll have a drip-free faucet. But this is not something a homeowner should do! Always contact a plumber for this type of job.

O-Ring Problems

On the faucet valve, you’ll notice a small rubber ring called an o-ring. Common leak issues arise from faulty o-rings and from use over time. It’s not something you did or didn’t do, it’s just the result of frequent faucet use (yay for clean hands!). If you notice a leak stemming from beneath your faucet’s handle, this is an easy replacement you can do by yourself.

Washer Damage

Damaged or loose seat washers are common reasons for a leaky faucet. If the leak is still present after the faucet is off, this will most likely be the case. This is an easy replacement, but should be looked at by a professional if you are unsure how to do this repair yourself.

Loose or Broken Parts

Faucets can also leak due to an internal problem. Parts can break or corrode, or just loosen with time and age. The packing nuts and adjusting ring can get out of balance and need a good tightening every now and then. Another element can be the washers. The constant friction of using the faucet can cause the washers to wear out completely.

Poorly Installed Parts

If your Uncle Jim is your handyman and offered to help you install your new faucets for free, you’d better have a professional take a look at the installation process. More often than not, poorly installed faucets are the reason that leaks happen. Thankfully, this is an easy fix.

Age

New faucets have all new parts that are designed to fit pretty much any home. However, it’s not uncommon to still have an old faucet in your home. If you’ve never replaced the hardware in your bathroom or kitchen, and you are experiencing a leak, chances are it’s just time for a new faucet! There are plenty of new models that will fit your home’s style and budget, and will last for years to come.

When to Call the Pros

Every homeowner will eventually get to a place in their DIY home where they don’t necessarily know how to fix something, or YouTube tutorials are too confusing! It is strongly suggested that you call the professional plumbers before you even try to tackle any plumbing issues outside of general tightening. If you hear running water and nothing is on, the water pressure is low, the water meter is moving when everything is switched off, or you notice that your utility bill is higher than usual, these are definite signs there is a problem and you need to call a professional!

Leaks happen! It’s important to catch it right away and call a professional to get to the problem before it advances. At Genesis Plumbing, we are the leaky faucet repair Port St. Lucie team who specializes in whole house repiping, toilets, faucets, and even garbage disposals. Call for a free estimate today!