Possible Reasons Why Water Is Dripping From Your Faucets

Every year, 10 percent of American households collectively waste 90 gallons per day on water leaks. These leaks can come from dripping faucets or dripping taps, leading to considerable losses in the long run. Therefore, it's essential to take immediate action to prevent the high losses and avoid mold due to excess moisture.

This article pinpoints the various reasons why water drips from faucets. If your taps have this problem, read on to know the possible causes.

1. Faulty O-Ring

An O-ring is the primary seal of the faucet. When you switch off the tap, the O-ring blocks the water. Similarly, the O-ring allows water to flow when you switch on the tap.

A faulty O-ring cannot efficiently regulate the water passing in the tap, which translates to water dripping. The O-ring becomes faulty due to an incorrect installation. It can also fail to work if you have used the faucet for an extended period or if its size is too small to fit well in the tap's walls.

Unfortunately, you cannot know if the O-ring is damaged if you don't have plumbing skills. Only a plumbing expert can thoroughly inspect it to understand the problems and change it if it's faulty.

2. High Pressure

Your faucets may drip if the water flows at a very high pressure. If this is the case, you will only notice the drips when you turn off the taps. The water may come out as a shower or continuously, depending on its pressure.

The best way to know if the water pressure is the issue is to use a proper water gauge. If the pressure is too high, you can adjust the regulator to lower it. But you may need to involve a qualified plumber because there could be an underlying issue. The expert can help you set the ideal water pressure and solve any other problems in your faucets.

3. Rust and Corrosion

Rust is common in households with salty water. The minerals in the hard water tend to stick on the faucet walls when water is flowing and cause a residue. With time, the residue erodes the walls of the faucets, and this corrosion makes water drip even when you have already switched off the tap. This residue also traps moisture when water is running from the tap. And when you switch off the tap, the moisture starts to drip out.

A clear indication that your faucets are rusty is brown water. But even if the water is not brown, you can identify rust by checking the appearance of the tap's inner parts. Note that the inspection process can be a bit tiresome and risky, so you may want to call a plumber instead. Your plumber can either help you clean the rust or advise you to get new faucets.

4. Faulty Washer

A washer is another internal part of a faucet. It seals any gaps that could bring water to your sink when you have already turned the tap off. Just like the O-ring, the washer can become faulty due to wear and tear or rust. And when it becomes faulty, it can't prevent water from flowing to the sink, which means that you will experience regular dripping. Replacement is often the best solution for a faucet with a faulty washer.

Water dripping from the faucet can quickly surge your water bills and cause other adverse effects in your home. If you notice any leakage, contact us today at Express Plumbing and Drain Service to help you. We will offer helpful advice as well as a free price quotation for the service.