What Might Be Causing Your Leaky Faucet

The (almost) silent bank account killer that you don’t hear about enough - a dripping faucet. If you’ve got a dripping faucet and don’t catch it, you can waste nearly 40 gallons in a year for a faucet that only drips once a minute. While some dripping faucets can go unnoticed, many can be extremely irritating and noisy. Before your water bill spikes, check out the causes of a dripping faucet and what you can do about it.

Your Sink’s O-Ring Is Worn Out

The first indicator that you may need to replace the o-ring is a visible collection of water at the base of the spout. To check if this is the issue, you’ll want to shut off water to the faucet and then use a crescent wrench to remove the faucet head - sitting inside will be your o-ring. You can easily replace this yourself, and then screw the faucet head back on. Be sure to not over-tighten the faucet head.

Your Tap Washer Is Old

If your o-ring isn’t the issue, it may be your tap washer. Once again, you’ll need to turn off water to the sink and empty the pipes. You’ll need to then remove the caps, typically labeled “hot” or “cold, and can be done by prying them off with a flathead screwdriver. You will then be able to access the faucet handle screws and can unscrew them. Once the screw is removed, you can take out the stem/bonnet, which is a donut-shaped part inside of the faucet. Underneath that stem, you’ll finder the washer. You can remove that washer and replace it with a new one. Using pliers can make the process easier if you find the space to be too small for your fingers.

You Might Have A Bigger Issue

If you’ve tried replacing your o-ring and washer and neither help, it is time to call a plumber. It could be a number of other issues that should be left to a professional.