What Causes a Leaky Faucet and How To Fix It in Water Valley, MS

Your faucet has developed the annoying habit of dripping constantly, and it’s driving you mad. Have you wondered about what causes a leaky faucet? Knowing the answer could help you silence your faucet for good.

Once you’ve learned the top causes of a leaking faucet in this guide, you’ll know when to contact Happy Pipes Plumbing, Water Heaters, and Septic Services for plumbing services in Water Valley, MS.

Here’s What Causes a Leaky Faucet Most of the Time in Water Valley, Mississippi

Why is your faucet making that irritating dripping sound? If your faucet won’t stop leaking, a faulty plumbing part is the most likely cause. 

Here’s a list of the top suspects our Water Valley plumbers might investigate:

• Worn-out washer: Your faucet features a washer that sits against the valve seat. Friction can cause the washer to degrade over time, resulting in leaking.
• Corroded valve seat: The valve seat is a component that connects the spout to your faucet. It’s common for sediment to collect in the valve seat. If that happens, your faucet will spring a leak.
• Loose or broken O-ring: The O-ring is a little rubber disc that sits in the stem screw and prevents the handle from wobbling. Your faucet will drip if the O-ring becomes loose or worn.
• Worn cartridge: Cartridge faucets feature separate handles for hot and cold water. If one of the handles is dripping water, the damaged cartridge needs replacement.
• Water pressure issues: Does the dripping speed up when you use another plumbing fixture in your Water Valley home? Your water pressure might be high.

You’ll want to get to the bottom of why your faucet is leaking. Don’t wait to call plumbers like Happy Pipes Plumbing, Water Heaters, and Septic Services in Water Valley, Mississippi.

How To Fix Your Leaky Faucet

Now that you know what causes a leaky faucet, your next question might be how to fix it. Here’s what plumbers will do for this type of repair:

1. Gather tools. The job needs pliers, an Allen wrench, a screwdriver, plumber’s grease, and a faucet repair kit. It must be the right one for the type of faucet.
2. Shut off the water supply to the faucet. Otherwise, water will spray out constantly, making this task impossible.
3. Cover your drain with a towel or rag. This step prevents small parts or screws from falling into the pipe system.
4. Disassemble the handle and valve stem. If you have a cartridge faucet, you can pull it out. Compression faucets feature a stem to unscrew.
5. Remove the valve seat, washer, and O-ring. Inspect these parts for wear. Replace anything that’s broken.
6. Clean the components with white vinegar. This abrasive liquid does a good job of removing grime and sediment without damaging anything else. Soak them for a couple of hours until the components are free of debris.
7. Reinstall all the faucet’s parts. Replace the washer, followed by the O-ring, stem, and packing nut. Lastly, reinstall the handle.

Turning on the water supply will confirm whether the faucet has stopped leaking.