Repairing a leaky faucet isn’t too difficult once you can identify what’s causing the problem in the first place. Unfortunately, that’s where many people go wrong because if you apply the wrong fix, you may inadvertently make the problem worse and cause more damage.
So, to show you how to fix faucets, here are the main reasons why they start leaking and what to do when you need repairs.
Broken valve seats and o-rings
A broken valve seat or a broken o-ring are prime examples of why you need to identify the source of the problem to find the correct fix. You can recognize a broken valve seat because water will leak from the spout connecting to the faucet. Usually, the issue relates to ordinary wear and tear caused by sediments and chemicals in the water that gradually erode the valve seat over time.
Repairing a broken valve seat requires a specific tool like a seat wrench and an exact duplicate of the valve seat you’re trying to replace. It’s possible to do the job yourself, but we don’t recommend it if you don’t have experience with plumbing. You’ll need to disassemble the faucet, and you risk accidentally damaging other components. If so, the only fix will be to replace the entire faucet.
Loose parts that need repairing or replacing
Occasionally, loose parts in some regions of the faucet can cause leaks too. For example, a tiny leak from the sink’s handle could signal that loose parts are the issue. Generally, faucets contain many different seats, valves, washers, nuts, and screws. When these parts become loose or damaged over time, the natural result is a leak, so the area where the leak occurs is a tell-tale sign.
To fix loose parts in sink handles, you have to disassemble the faucet to adjust and tighten the nuts and screws. The problem is that you may still have leaks even after tightening up all loose parts, which is why it takes a pro to identify the actual cause of the problem.
Not feeling particularly handy today? It’s time to find a reliable plumbing service in Boulder, CO that can do the job well at a fair price.
No matter whether you choose the DIY route or opt to call in the plumbing pros, it’s important to fix your leaky faucet sooner rather than later so that you can avoid water damage, costly repairs, and an astronomical water bill!
