A leaky faucet is enough to drive anyone mad with the constant “drip, drip, drip” echoing from the sink basin. While your plumber can come in and tell you exactly what’s going on to cause that leaky faucet, here are four of the most common reasons why faucets drip:
1. Corroded valve seat—The valve seat connects the faucet and the spout. Over time, sediment buildup can cause the valve seat to corrode, making it likely that a leak will happen around the spout area.
2. Problem with the O-ring—To hold the faucet in place, a stem screw is usually used. This stem screw includes a small disc that’s attached to it, otherwise known as the O ring. When the O ring becomes loose or wears out due to regular use, dripping can occur.
3. Worn-out washer—One of the most common causes of a leaky faucet, the rubber washer within your faucet system can become worn out since it’s forced against the valve seat during every use. For this type of leak, all you have to do is replace the washer, and the sink should stop dripping.
4. Improper installation—In many cases, if the rubber washer in the sink was installed improperly or it’s not the correct size, the faucet will start to leak. We recommend hiring us to come and take a look at your faucet and make sure everything’s installed the correct way to prevent wasteful and annoying leaks.