There are a number of faucets in your home. Usually, they’re on the back of your mind, but when they start to drip, it’s essential to start paying attention to them. Even a tiny leak can turn into a bigger problem when ignored. 

Let’s discuss why it’s so important to fix a dripping faucet, the common causes behind them, and how to repair them. 

Why Fix a Dripping Faucet?

While a dripping faucet may just seem like a mild annoyance with the persistent sound that it makes, it can cause much more serious issues if left unaddressed. 

Eventually, if your dripping faucet is allowed to continue, it could worsen to the point that it needs to be replaced completely. 

Common Causes of a Dripping Faucet

There are a myriad of reasons that your faucet may be leaking. It’s important to figure out what the cause behind your leaking faucet is before you attempt to repair it. 

Corrosion

Faucet corrosion often occurs in the valve seat, which is the little connector between the faucet and the spout in the compression structure.

O-Ring

There’s a piece known as the stem screw, which has a small circular disc called an o-ring attached to it to hold the faucet handle in place. This disc can become loose or wear out with time, which can cause the faucet to drip. 

Washer

If a washer is worn out or improperly installed, it can be forced up against the valve seat, causing friction and potential leaks. A sign that there is an issue with your washer is when there is dripping near the spout. 

Broken Plumbing

A broken pipe can sometimes be the reason behind a leaky faucet. They can interfere with the overall water pressure, as well. If this is the case, a professional plumber will need to be called to repair it. 

How to Fix a Dripping Faucet

Repairing a dripping faucet is possible to do yourself. Just follow these steps to check for the causes of your leaky faucet and fix them. 

Shut Off The Water

Before you start working on your sink, you will want to turn off the water supply. There will either be an individual shutoff valve underneath the sink, or you can shut off the water supply for the house. 

Turn on the faucet and leave it open to allow any remaining water in the line to empty into the sink. 

Remove The Handle

How you remove your faucet handle will depend on your faucet type. 

If there is a set screw behind the handle, insert a hex key or an Allen wrench into the screw and turn to remove it. 

If the handle has a top screw cover, pry it off with a flat screwdriver and set it aside. Then, use a Phillips head screwdriver to loosen the screw underneath the cover. 

Then, you can pull the handle free. 

Check For Corrosion

Next, check for any corrosion that has occurred, particularly in the valve seat. Corrosion can be avoided by regularly cleaning the valve seat. If you do find that your valve seat has already corroded, it will need to be replaced to avoid further leakage. 

Replace O-Ring if Needed

Once the handle is removed, you can check to see if the o-ring is loose or worn out. If that’s the case, you will need to replace the damaged o-ring. 

Replace Washer if Needed

Check to see the state of your washer, next. If it’s worn out or improperly installed, it will need to be replaced with a new washer. Ensure that the new washer you choose is the correct size, as having the wrong size can cause leaks, as well. 

Expert Water Restoration at PureDry 

If you find that a leaking faucet has caused water damage in your home, don’t hesitate to reach out to our dependable team at PureDry. 

In addition to our premium work, we’re one of the highest-rated providers in the Seattle area due to our results that exceed expectations and the stress-free experience that we provide. 

We pride ourselves on conveniently offering:

• Live representatives on our phones 24/7
• A skilled technician sent to your home within 60 minutes of your call
• Billing directly to your insurance

Water damage? No problem. Let us handle it all.