What Can a Leaky Faucet Cost?

A Leaky Faucet can Cause Lack of Sleep, and Waste up to 5 Gallons of Water per Day.

by Jamie & Kelson Carter, Father/Son, Carter's My Plumber

    Can you imagine not having a faucet in your home?  Where would you brush your teeth?  Wash your face?  How about that fresh glass of water?? Faucets are such a valuable part of a home structure, and keeping them in a good working condition is imperative.

    A leaky faucet causing a “drip, drip, drip” noise is not only disturbing to sleep but adds to the water bill and causes inconvenience that might range from annoying to catastrophic. 

   So, what causes a faucet to drip?  The cause can be corrosion, mineral deposit on the internal parts, or defective gaskets, O-rings, or washers. Ignoring a faulty faucet can turn a simple repair into a major plumbing replacement project. Did you know a single faucet drip can drip 5 gallons of water per day?  That equates to 41 baths per year! 

   Not only is that bad for the environment, but the wasted water will cost you.       

1.Here are the Facts!

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency; “On an average, leaks can cause almost 10,000 gallons of wastage in a home every year, and this amount is sufficient to fill a swimming pool. The most common issues of leakage are dripping faucets, leakage in toilet flappers, or leaking valves, all of which can be easily fixed. However, among these, the most prominent leakage issue is caused by a dripping faucet; fixing one can save almost 10% of a homeowner’s water bill.”

2.What causes a Faucet to Drip?

There may be several causes why a faucet is drips. Here is a list of some major causes:

1. Problem with the O ring – A stem screw holds the handle of a faucet in place. This stem screw is made up of a small disc attached to it, known as the O ring, which is an integral point where dripping can occur. The O ring, which is a rubber material, may become loose or wear out with regular usage, causing the faucet to drip near the handle. Replacing the damaged O ring will fix the dripping faucet, if this is the issue, and this problem occurs specifically in cartridge faucets. 

2. Corroded Valve Seat – A valve seat is the connection between the faucet and the spout in a compression mechanism. Accumulation of water sediments can cause the valve seat to corrode and cause leakage around the spout area. Make sure to clean the valve seat regularly, with the help of a professional plumber. 

3. Worn out Washer – Definitely one of the most common causes behind a dripping faucet. During each use, the washer is forced against the valve seat. This constant friction and resistance causes the valve to wear out. As a result, dripping starts around the spout.  A worn out rubber washer in a compression faucet can be stopped by replacing the washer. 

4. Improper installation of Washer – If the washer is not installed properly or is not the right size, it will cause leakage.  Seek professional help in installing the washer correctly, and this will take care of the leakage problem. 

5. Loose Parts – The adjusting ring and packing nuts in the stem screw may become loose with continuous usage, causing leakage near the handle of the faucet. If there is leakage from the handle, either packing nut needs tightened or replaced. 

6. Worn out Seals – Inlet and outlet seals are a vital part of disc faucets. With constant usage, sediment can accumulate inside the assembly, and cause the seal to wear out.   This causes a faucet to drip.  Hire a plumber to clean the water sediments regularly from the inlet and outlet seals to make sure that the faucet mechanism works properly. Replace the seals for better faucet function. 

7. Broken Plumbing – On occasion, a dripping faucet may be caused by a broken pipe or fittings. Broken pipes develop cracks that can interfere with water pressure and lead to faucet dripping. If none of the solutions above have solved the dripping faucet issue, hire an experienced plumber to check the water pipes. 

Understanding why a faucet is leaking is crucial to fixing it properly and fixing the drip will save sleep and money over time!  Call Carter's My Plumber if you need advice, or a professional plumber:  317-859-9999