A dripping tap can be an annoying issue. It is frustrating to listen to the constant drops of water hitting your sink basin, but it can also be costly. Depending on how quickly your faucet is dripping, it could leak up to thirty gallons of water per day. This is extremely wasteful and will end up causing you to spend a fortune on your next water bill.
Many different issues could be causing your faucet to drip. Some of the most common problems are:
Water pressure: When your home’s water pressure is too high, it can cause your taps to drip. If you notice that they are only dripping at particular times when the water pressure is high, this is the likely cause of your problem.
A damaged cartridge: Any taps that use two separate handles for hot and cold water are cartridge faucets. There are cartridges inside the fixture that help control the flow of water. Over time, these cartridges can wear down and become damaged, causing your tap to leak.
A broken valve seat: Your valve seat is what connects your faucet to its spout. When water leaks from the bottom of the spout, the valve seat is usually the issue, minerals in the water can cause this valve to corrode and require replacement.
A damaged O-ring: The O-ring is a small, “o” shaped ring inside your faucet that helps to hold the faucet handle in place. Over time this can wear down and cause water to leak from your faucet handles.
Many different issues can cause your sink to start leaking. Fortunately, most of them are easy to fix and can be taken care of by a professional plumber. You can also take some action by yourself. Follow these seven steps on how to stop a sink from dripping all the time:
Step #1: Turn off your water
Before you begin any work on your sink, you must first turn off the water supply. Doing any plumbing work on your sink while the water is on could cause flooding and damage your home.
Most sinks should have a shut-off valve located below them. If so, turn these valves as far as they go clockwise. If there aren’t any shut-off valves near your sink, you will need to turn off the main water supply to your house.
Step #2: Remove the faucet handles
Once you are confident that the water supply has been turned off.
Step #3: Remove the valve cartridge
After the faucet handles have been removed, you will be able to see the valve cartridges. These must be removed next. Some valve cartridges can be easily pulled out by hand, and others will need to be unscrewed with a screwdriver.
Step #4: Inspect your sink
Now that the faucet handles and valve cartridges have been removed, you will have a clear view of the insides of your sink. It’s time to inspect everything. Using a flashlight, take a close look at the O-rings, the rubber washers, and the seals to determine their condition. If anything appears worn out or corroded, this is the likely cause of your dripping sink.
Step #5: Fix the issue
Most common plumbing parts can be purchased at your local hardware store. Once you have identified the source of your problem, pick up the required parts, replace them, and put your faucet back together.
Step #6: Test your sink
Now that your sink has been repaired, it’s time to test it out. Turn on your water supply and see if the tap is working correctly. If it is still dripping, proceed to step number seven!
Step #7: Call a plumber!
When all else fails, it’s time to call in the professionals. A plumber will be able to identify what is wrong with your sink and can help you fix any issues.
The constant dripping of a leaky sink can keep you awake at night. It can also be the source of nightmares when you receive your expensive water bill at the end of the month. Although your tap may only be dripping water, these tiny drops can add up. Over a month, gallons of water will be wasted down the drain. This is bad for the environment and bad for your wallet as well.
Fortunately, the usual causes of a dripping tap are minor and can easily be repaired with inexpensive parts purchased from your local plumbing supply store. You can fix your dripping sink for good with a bit of work.
