A dripping faucet is one that has a leak somewhere, resulting in water being wasted. These circumstances can result in a number of frustrations, from the noise of the dripping water to unnecessarily wasting that water to having to pay higher water bills.
Sometimes, worn internal parts are what caused the problem. However, a larger plumbing issue, such as high water pressure, could be the culprit instead. In any case, depending on your knowledge and comfort levels, you can fix some of these on your own while other causes will result in a recommendation to seek professional repair.
Quick Takeaways
- Dripping faucets are oftentimes caused by worn washers, cartridges and seals
- Even a slow drip could result in hundreds of gallons of water being wasted every year
- Ignoring that leak can lead to significantly higher bills as well as fixture damage
- Some fixes are easy to handle, but others, like internal valve issues, require professional repair
- Professional faucet repair will restore proper function and prevent long-term issues
What Causes a Dripping Faucet?
The cause of a dripping faucet is usually easy to discern. In any case, it often ends up being one of these six.
1. Worn-Out Washer
The washer is a rubber piece that, when working, creates a watertight seal that stops leaks from happening. When it’s worn, this seal stops being watertight and must be replaced.
2. Damaged O-Ring
O-rings, of which there may be one or several for any given faucet, fill gaps between the solid parts that are there. If O-rings are damaged, those gaps may no longer be filled.
3. Faulty Cartridge
A cartridge regulates whether water flows or not and the temperature of that water. However, if it’s worn, loose or cracked, a leak can result.
4. Corroded Valve Seat
The valve seat helps keep water blocked when the faucet is off, but it can become corroded as time passes. When that happens, water can get through.
5. Loose or Worn Internal Parts
Any internal parts of your faucet that are loose or worn could cause a dripping faucet. Other examples include springs, ceramic discs and packing nuts.
6. High Water Pressure
If your home has high water pressure as opposed to low water pressure. That can force water through small gaps and worn seals that it wouldn’t normally be able to. Then, a leak would likely result.
Why You Shouldn’t Ignore a Dripping Faucet
There are several reasons why you shouldn’t ignore a dripping faucet:
- Amount of water that could be wasted (potentially thousands of gallons a year)
- Increased utility bills
- More extensive wear and damage on your fixtures than would have otherwise been the case
- Greater likelihood of larger plumbing issues because of the resulting degradation
- Increased annoyance at those drip-drip sounds
How to Tell What’s Causing Your Faucet to Drip
There are a few ways you can potentially tell why your faucet is dripping.
For example, if it’s a compression faucet, its washer or valve seat is more likely to be the issue. But for a cartridge faucet, its seals or cartridge might be the culprit. As for a ceramic disk faucet, it could be its ceramic seals causing problems.
If the drip is constant, there’s something that’s no longer sealing as it should. Conversely, if it only drips immediately after use, there might not even be a leak at all as that could simply be a case of leftover water being let out. Or it may be an early sign of an issue that’ll need fixing.
Meanwhile, if it just drips on the hot or cold side, it’s likely an issue only with that side of the faucet.
However, if there’s uneven water flow, there could be internal damage or a blockage.
How to Fix a Dripping Faucet
Some fixes are simply DIY ones while others require professional faucet repair.
Simple DIY Fixes
A few simple DIY fixes include tightening loose parts, replacing an O-ring or washer and cleaning up any mineral buildup.
Professional Faucet Repair
However, if a cartridge or a different internal component needs replacing, a professional should be consulted. You should also reach out to a professional if a valve seat must be repaired or there are water pressure-related issues.
When a Dripping Faucet Requires Professional Repair
Here are a few examples of when a dripping faucet requires professional repair:
- Dripping that doesn’t stop after DIY attempts were made
- Multiple components have become worn or damaged
- There’s corrosion inside the fixture that must be treated
- High water pressure is what’s causing the dripping faucet
- An older faucet’s simply worn out and nearing failure
When It’s Better to Replace the Faucet Instead
Here are a few signs that it’s better to simply replace the faucet:
- Leaks are frequent
- Fixtures are outdated or inefficient
- Corrosion or damage is visible
- Repair cost is close to or more than replacement cost
How Plumbers Fix a Dripping Faucet
There are a few steps that plumbers take to fix a dripping faucet:
- Diagnose the faucet type and where the failure’s happening
- Disassemble and inspect relevant components
- Replace any worn parts
- Test the water pressure and flow to ensure that the issue’s fixed
FAQ About Dripping Faucets
Why is my faucet dripping even when turned off?
Your faucet might be dripping even when turned off because there’s a worn, corroded or otherwise damaged part. High water pressure is another potential cause.
How much water does a dripping faucet waste?
The amount of water wasted by a dripping faucet depends on how often it’s dripping and how much water is in each drop, but a ballpark figure is 3,000 gallons a year.
Can I fix a dripping faucet myself?
You can fix a dripping faucet yourself in many cases, such as if it’s a simple case of loose parts needing tightening or an O-ring that has to be replaced.
Is a dripping faucet a serious problem?
A dripping faucet is a serious problem in the big picture. In other words, one that’s leaky for a day isn’t as serious, but a faucet that continues leaking will ultimately result in a tremendous amount of waste and cost.
When should I call a plumber for a dripping faucet?
There are a few instances in which you should call a plumber to fix your dripping faucet. A few include if your valve seat needs repairing or high water pressure is what’s causing the issue.
Get Your Dripping Faucet Fixed the Right Way
Regardless of the cause, it’s important to get your dripping faucet fixed so that water doesn’t get wasted, water bills don’t increase significantly and repair needs down the line don’t worsen. And you should ensure that it’s a repair process that lasts, whether it’s a simple DIY solution or one in which you call a professional to handle.
If you’d like to secure professional faucet repair, consider Benjamin Franklin Plumbing. Our punctual plumbers serve homes and businesses throughout the Gainesville, FL, metropolitan area and would be glad to provide you with a diagnosis and solution.