Though it may only seem like a minor annoyance, when left unaddressed, a leaky faucet can seriously damage both the environment and your bank account. With each drop, valuable water and money are thrown away. In fact, according to the EPA, household leaks produce almost a trillion gallons of wasted water nationwide each year.
Therefore, you should contact plumbing services as soon as you notice a persistent drip. Mr. Plumber San Antonio can tackle any drain or pipe repair necessary to keep your sink in top condition. Request a service appointment today to eliminate irritating sink dripping.
Alternatively, you can try to resolve the issue on your own by exploring these potential causes and solutions:
Causes of Sink Dripping
Faulty Washer
A washer serves as a seal around your faucet’s head, guarding against leakage. However, this component regularly pushes against the internal parts of your sink, leading to damaging friction. Over time, your washer can wear out, meaning its sealing properties become ineffective and water seeps out. Your sink is particularly susceptible to this issue if you have a compression faucet.
Potential Fix: The easiest way to address a faulty washer is to replace it. The component can be bought online or at home maintenance stores. Before you buy, unscrew the head of your faucet and examine your existing washer, which should look like a rubber circle. Try to find a similar-looking product when shopping.
However, your washer may also malfunction if it is ill-fitted. In these cases, replacing the part with a similar product will not resolve the issue. Instead, you’ll need to contact a plumbing professional.
Worn Out O-Ring
An O-ring looks like a tiny disc and stabilizes your sink’s faucet handle. Like washers, O-rings are a small sink component prone to damage. With age, this part will also wear down, allowing water to escape your faucet.
Potential Fix: Following the same advice as before, the simplest solution is buying a new component. O-rings are available at most home improvement stores, and you should be able to find a product that matches your old, worn-out part.
Aged Cartridge
Every sink relies on a cartridge to regulate its water flow. Age, excess water or calcium can damage this plastic part, leading to an improper stream. Another sign of a faulty cartridge is difficulty regulating your sink’s water temperature.
Potential Fix: As with all the previous issues, replacement is the best option. However, swapping out cartridges is a bit more complex than changing O-rings and washers. If you have no experience deconstructing a sink, consider contacting plumbing services.
Loose Packing Nuts
Like washers, packing nuts help your sink seal in water. These parts are placed along plumbing shafts and can loosen over time, thus failing to keep water streams contained.
Potential Fix: Luckily, packing nuts are usually visible along pipes running under and around your sink. If you notice one of the nuts is unstable, take an appropriately sized wrench and tighten the part. If this does not resolve the problem, you may need to schedule an appointment for more extensive pipe repairs.
Deteriorating Valve Seats or Seals
A valve seat is located right between your sink’s faucet and spout. This sink component is especially vulnerable to water-sediment buildup, which damages its integrity and functioning. Sink dripping that seemingly originates right at the spout, therefore, is typically related to a damaged valve seat.
Potential Fix: Unfortunately, corroded valve seats are far more difficult to replace. You’ll need to bring the old part to a home improvement store and get an exact replacement from a trained employee. Afterward, you’ll have to essentially deconstruct your sink and its handles. Consequently, it’s better to contact plumbing professionals.
Water Pressure Issues
Finally, sink dripping could be the result of improper water pressure. If water seeps out only at a certain time of day or when you twist your sink handles in a specific manner, blame inconsistent water pressure.
Potential Fix: Again, you’ll probably want to get professional help. Consider having your water softener examined or scheduling a water pressure test.
When to Call Plumbing Services
If these DIY fixes fail or you suspect a leak’s cause deserves professional attention, turn to Mr. Plumber San Antonio for assistance. Our team is dedicated to providing timely, courteous and reliable services, ensuring your plumbing systems are always in top-notch condition.
