5 Reasons Your Faucet Is Dripping Water and How To Fix It

11/14/2022 (Permalink)

How To Fix a Dripping Faucet

A dripping faucet can be a nuisance, especially when it's happening in the middle of the night. If you're having a problem with a leaky faucet, this article will help explain why your sink is dripping water and what you need to do to fix it.

Reason #1: Your Washer Is Worn

You may have a leaking faucet if the washer is worn out. The washer is the part of your faucet that seals against its body and prevents water from flowing out. Over time, wear and tear can cause this seal to become loose or even break apart entirely, thus allowing water to drip at an alarming rate.

To fix this problem, first purchase a replacement washer for your particular model of faucet (you can buy them online or at any hardware store). Once you've bought it, remove all visible parts from inside the spout—this will include anything like screws or nuts—and then take off any cover plates on top of where you'll be working so that you can access everything easily without having to use tools. Next up, grab your new replacement washer and place it inside where your old one once sat; make sure both ends line up correctly before reattaching all other parts back into place again!

Reason #2: Your O-Ring Needs Replacing

If you're lucky, your dripping faucet is due to a worn-out O-ring. If this is the case, it's an easy fix. You'll need to remove the spigot from your sink and take off its parts (using pliers if necessary). You'll then need to replace the rubber ring that seals around the stem of your faucet. This can be done by buying a new O-ring at any hardware store or home improvement store and putting on a new one using tools like needle nose pliers or channel locks.

Reason #3: You Need To Replace a Cartridge in the Faucet

Cartridges are the most common cause of leaking faucets. They are easy to replace and can be replaced without removing the faucet or shutting off the water supply. 

After you have located your cartridge, remove it from its housing by turning it counterclockwise until it is completely removed. Then, insert a new one into place by turning it clockwise until it stops resisting insertion (you should feel this). If you’re unsure about whether or not you have successfully inserted your new cartridge, try tightening it slightly more than finger-tight so that there aren’t any gaps between threads and housing surfaces; if there are no gaps and everything feels secure, then congratulations! The leaky condition has been fixed!

Reason #4: The Water Supply Tube Is Damaged

If you have a leak in your water supply tube, it's likely that this is the cause. The water supply tube connects your faucet to the municipal water supply. If there are any leaks or cracks in this pipe, it will result in drips coming from under your sink.

The first thing you should do when trying to locate a leaky water supply tube is to check its length and diameter. If it's too short, it could be kinked or crimped causing an improper seal around the faucet body (the part that screws into the sink).

If you think that may be causing problems with your leaky faucet consider getting a longer one (usually available at hardware stores) and replacing it with another section of pipe so as not to disturb other systems such as PEX tubing or wiring if they're located on top of each other near where these pipes connect together.

Reason #5: The Diverter Needs to Be Replaced

The diverter is a small valve located between the faucet and sink drain. The job of this valve is to divert water flow away from the sink, so it doesn't overflow. If your faucet has been dripping for several months, there's a good chance that your diverter needs to be replaced.

Replacing your diverter can be done by any handy homeowner with basic tools and some plumbing knowledge. Depending on how much wear and tear has occurred, replacing this part will cost anywhere between $15-$50 dollars depending on where you purchase it.

Sometimes it takes some investigation to figure out how to fix a leaky faucet, but there's a reason. A dripping faucet can be caused by many things: water hardness in your area, the age of your fixture and pipes, or even a small crack in the spout. Some problems are easier to fix than others—and some require professional help.

If you've ruled out all the possible reasons your faucet is leaking and it still isn't fixed, then it's probably time to call a plumber. It's not always easy to find the source of a leaky faucet, but if you follow these steps and take your time troubleshooting, you'll be able to solve most problems on your own.

Sometimes a leaky faucet can lead to a big problem. No matter how large of a water damage event you have, SERPVRO of Highlands Ranch is here to help you get your Lone Tree, CO home back to normal.