“Drip-drop, drip-drop, drip-drop”—the torturous sound of a plumbing issues on the horizon. Leaky faucets in Austin, TX may not be perceptibly threatening, but if you allow a drip to continue for a longer period of time without treating them, they can turn into a significant problem for your home. Wasted water, higher utility bills, and long-term damage to your plumbing system are all results of leaky faucet. Don’t be mistaken; that tiny faucet leak can bring plenty of trouble!
But what exactly can cause them to leak? Well, that’s where Radiant Plumbing & Air Conditioning’s team of professionals can help diagnose the instigator of these drips. Our team of highly-skilled plumbers know just how unexpectedly troublesome leaky faucets can be, which is why you should call us if your faucet starts dripping with no end in sight. The more you know about the cause of leaks, the faster you can identify the issue and call in one of our technicians to rapidly respond to the issue. When you’ve got a faulty faucet, we’ve got the knowledge and ability to take care of it!
What Causes a Leaky Faucet?
Of course, there is a long list of things that can make your faucet begin to leak, but our team has narrowed it down to the four most common;
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- Corroded Valve Seat: The valve seat is the space between the faucet and spout in the compression mechanism- all very technical in terminology, but in simpler terms water sediment can build up and cause corrosion to the valve seat. Over time this can allow room for leaks around the spout area. The valve seat should be cleaned regularly to avoid any corrosion. Next time you schedule a home-health check with Radiant Plumbing & Air Conditioning, ask our technician to show you how best to keep this area free of sediment.
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- O-Ring Issues: The ‘O-ring’ is primarily responsible for holding the handle of your faucet in place. The problem is, it can become loose or have wear due to regular usage. This can actually cause your faucet to leak at the handle. Having an ‘O-ring’ replaced by a professional will ensure this leak is stopped before it leads to further issues.
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- Washer Problems: This is one of the most common reasons why your faucet will begin to leak. The washer of your faucet is pushed against the valve seat after every use. This eventually causes the washer to wear itself out due to continual friction, allowing room for leaks. Leaks may also be due to the washer not being properly installed or sized. If you suspect that this may be the cause of your dripping, again schedule a home-health check with Radiant Plumbing & Air Conditioning to have these items identified professionally.
- Water Pressure: When pressure is too high, it prevents water from flowing away from a specific fixture. This will cause water to back up and leak out to another place. Most often from the available faucet. Plumber are trained in identifying the water pressure fluctuations. We can assist in the best possible options for solving this issue in your home.