A dripping faucet is certainly annoying. But along with driving you nuts, a leaky faucet wastes water and money. One drip per second, says the US EPA, wastes over 3,000 gallons of water each year. A single leaking faucet can add over 10% to your water bill. If you have a dripping faucet, you’ll want to contact a Henderson plumbing professional as soon as possible to get it fixed. In the meantime, it helps to learn about the possible causes of a leaking faucet so that you can contact a plumber if necessary and address any other plumbing problems that may be present, too.

Broken O-Ring

Your faucet has many smaller parts. Naturally, they can break and wear out with age. One component that frequently causes a faucet leak is the O-ring. The O-ring is a small disc that holds a sink’s faucet handle in place. Over time, it can loosen or wear out from overuse. If you have a leak from a cartridge faucet, a faulty O-ring is most likely to blame. Simply replacing the O-ring will solve the problem.

Washer Problems

The washer is another component that can cause a faucet leak. The washer is pressed against the valve seat every time you use the faucet. In turn, this causes friction, and it ultimately causes the washer to wear out. A washer leak is most common in compression faucets. If you discover that the washer is worn out, simply replacing it with a new one can fix the problem. Sometimes, the washer may not have been installed correctly. Your faucet may have also been equipped with a washer that’s the wrong size. Both situations can cause a leak. Either way, you’ll need to contact a Henderson plumbing expert to make repairs.

Loose Packing Nuts

Although O-ring and washer problems are some of the most common, other components in your faucet can become loose or broken as well. The packing nuts in the stream screw, for instance, can loosen over time. Eventually, this can cause the faucet’s handle to start leaking. You may be able to fix the problem simply by tightening the packing nut. If that doesn’t solve the problem, you may need to replace it.

Broken Fittings or Pipes

While many faucet leaks happen at the base of the faucet, you may notice water collecting beneath the sink. This problem is usually a broken fitting or pipe, and it requires a plumber’s immediate assistance to fix.

A leaking faucet is certainly annoying, but it’s also money down the drain. If you have a leaking faucet, you’re probably asking “where can I find a plumber near me to help?”. Fortunately, Service Plus Plumbing is here to handle your most pressing plumbing repair needs. Check out our website to learn about our 24/7 emergency repair services and call us for a faucet repair today.