Why is my Faucet Leaking?

A leaky faucet can start as a small inconvenience, but left unrepaired can cause major water damage to your home. Let’s take a look at some of the main sources of faucet leaks, and how to fix them.

• Corroded Plumbing Valve Seat – Your plumbing has many different parts below the surface. A buildup of water sediment can cause parts like the valve seat to corrode. This usually leads to a leak around the spout area of the faucet. Cleaning the valve seat regularly helps decrease the amount of sediment buildup in your plumbing and faucet hardware.
• Plumbing O-Ring Issue – When your faucet consistently drips, it’s likely the 0-ring is worn out or has become loose. This ring is a small disc attached to the stem screw holding the faucet’s handle in place. Replacing or tightening the o-ring can prevent and stop leaks from occurring.
• Worn Plumbing Washer – The washer is the part of your faucet forced against the valve seat. The constant friction and resistance to the washer causes it to wear out over time. When the washer is worn, dripping around the faucet’s spout may occur. Replacing the washer should resolve this issue quickly.
• Loose Plumbing Parts – Like most appliances in your home, your faucet gets used quite often. Over periods of frequent use, the parts making up your sink can become loose. Screws, valves, handles, and other components of your plumbing fixtures can be tightened or replaced once they start to age in order to avoid future leaks.
• Broken Plumbing – Although the main causes of a leaky faucet are faulty parts in the faucet itself, broken plumbing pipes or fittings can also cause your plumbing fixtures to leak. Broken pipes can interfere with water pressure and may lead to leaks in and around your sink.

If you’re unable to fix the leaky faucet yourself, it’s a good idea to contact your local Sykesville, MD plumber as soon as possible. The experts can help pinpoint the source of the leak and are equipped with the parts needed to fix your leaky sink or other plumbing fixture. Tackling a leak sooner than later is crucial to preventing destructive water damage to your home.

Not sure which plumber to choose? Call the experienced Sykesville, MD plumber Michael Runk Plumbing & Heating, today! We are a Eldersburg, MD sink repair company servicing Carroll County and surrounding areas. We offer 24/7 emergency service for all your unexpected plumbing emergencies. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.