
A leaky faucet can be really annoying. Aside from the endless dripping of water, your water bill goes up, and you’ll waste plenty of water. This dilemma is actually very common everywhere, especially in our homes in Sydney. No matter how expensive your faucet is, there will come a time when it starts to leak uncontrollably. When it does, it might be caused by any of the reasons below:
- Corroded Valve Seat. A valve seat is a replaceable ring that seats at a valve and creates a shutoff surface. It connects the faucet to the spout and prevents water from leaking from the faucet. Sediments that build up over time cause the valve seat to corrode and eventually cause a leak.
- Worn-out O-Ring. If you are using a cartridge faucet, then there is a small disc attached to its stem screw holding the handle of the faucet in place. This small disc may turn loose or wear out and this causes the faucet to leak.
- Worn-out Cartridge. Another factor that could cause leaking in a cartridge faucet is the cartridge itself getting worn out. A cartridge faucet is a double-handle faucet used for hot and cold water.
- Broken Washers. Washers are also important to create a water seal. It ensures proper tightening of the nut and bolt in the assembly. Since washers rest on the valve seat, they wear out due to friction and will cause leaking. If washers are also of the wrong size or installed improperly, your faucet will definitely leak.
- Water Pressure. You may notice that there is only a particular time of the day that your faucet is leaking. This is caused by the pressure of water running through your pipes.
- Broken or Loose Parts. Of course, when your faucet has broken or loosen parts, it will not function properly. Hence, leaking will definitely occur.
Faucets may be a permanent fixture but it does not last forever. Constant contact with water also causes depreciation. This creates corrosion or wears out parts of your faucet and leads to a water leak. If this happens, you may fix your faucet by following some simple steps:
STEP 1:
Turn off the main switch of the line supplying your leaking faucet. You may check under your sink for valves that turn off the water, and it can easily be operated with your hand.
STEP 2:
Identify the kind of faucet that you have, so you may be able to address the problem correctly and buy the right parts.
STEP3:
Remove the decorative parts of the handle and the handle itself. But before this, make sure you plug the drain with a sink plug to avoid losing small parts while doing the repairs.
STEP 4:
Remove the nut and stem using a wrench, and check for any damage. Then check the O-ring and washer for any damage or corrosion. Then purchase the parts that require replacement.
STEP 5:
After purchasing the damaged parts, remove the broken ones and reassemble everything. Then turn on the main valve and test it for leaks. Done!
If you are not a handyman type, or if problems still persist, it is best to call a plumber. For leaking tap repairs Sydney has a handful of trusty plumbing agencies. And do it the soonest possible time to avoid further damage.