What to do when the faucet leaks: possible causes of malfunction + typical repair

Any household can suffer from leaky faucets, which can waste water, increase expenses, and even cause damage to the house. As soon as you see that telltale drip, you need to take quick action to stop more problems. However, where do you even begin? Time, money, and frustration can be saved by being aware of the possible causes of faucet leaks and how to fix them.

An old or broken washer is one of the most frequent causes of a leaking faucet. When the faucet is turned off, the washer, which is housed inside the faucet, creates a tight seal to stop water from flowing. The washer’s deterioration over time may result in leaks due to the continuous pressure and friction. Thankfully, changing a worn-out washer is a reasonably easy and affordable solution that frequently resolves the issue.

A broken O-ring or seal is another potential reason for a dripping faucet. O-rings, like washers, form a tight seal to keep water from escaping. Water may leak out around the faucet’s base or the handles if an O-ring is worn down, loose, or damaged. These kinds of leaks can be fixed by inspecting and replacing O-rings as necessary.

Leaky faucets can occasionally be caused by problems with the cartridge or valve in the faucet. These parts regulate the water’s flow and may experience issues like mineral accumulation or corrosion in the future. Water leaks from the handles or spout may result from this. To fix the leak and get the faucet working properly again, it might be necessary to replace or repair the cartridge or valve.

Moreover, mineral deposits and sediment accumulation can cause internal component damage or obstruct water flow, which can result in faucet leaks. Hard water is particularly well-known for causing these problems because of its high mineral content, particularly in calcium and magnesium. Your faucets’ lifespan can be increased and mineral buildup can be avoided with routine cleaning and maintenance.

Preparation and necessary tools

When doing any plumbing repair, turn off the water supply first. The levers only need to be turned 90 degrees to access the valves, which are typically located in the toilet. The equipment’s valves can be clogged if it hasn’t been used in a while. It doesn’t take a hero to turn them around. That way, all you have to do is rip off the tap, which will leave you with two problems to solve instead of just one. It is important to carefully develop the valves by adding a drop of grease at a time and gradually increasing the effort.

Repairs cannot start until the water supply has been safely turned off. First, get ready the equipment you’ll need on hand:

• adjustable wrench;
• flat screwdriver;
• Phillips screwdriver
• wrench, etc.п.

This simple kit is usually more than enough. Not a bad idea to add some auxiliary materials: rubber or leather scraps for mending gaskets, fluoroplastic sealing tape for replacing the liners, sponges, rags, detergent for clearing the accumulated dirt inside the faucet, etc. ο.

Advice: To ensure that an inadvertently dropped tool does not cause damage to the bathtub or sink, place something soft at the bottom, such as a cloth, a piece of foam rubber, or another substance that works well as a shock absorber.

A leaky faucet can have a wide range of causes. The most urgent issue with a conventional two-valve faucet is wear and tear on the gasket or liner, which needs to be changed. You will need to take entirely different steps if the ball (or swivel) faucet leaks because it is arranged fundamentally differently.

Repairing a two-vent faucet

Changing the gasket

The most likely explanation for a leaky faucet that occurs regardless of how firmly it is screwed on is a worn gasket. Replacing it is not difficult and is required for this reason:

1. Unscrew the valve body (it is simply rotated counterclockwise).
2. Remove damaged or worn gasket.
3. Make a new gasket from a piece of thick leather or rubber. The old gasket is taken as a sample, of course.
4. Install the new gasket.
5. Wrap the gasket around the thrust lip.
6. Put the valve body back in place by turning it clockwise.
7. Use a wrench to tighten the installed valve firmly.

You can purchase a new gasket at a plumbing supply store to save yourself the trouble of making one. If this isn’t feasible for some reason, a homemade component can be very helpful for a last-minute faucet repair.

A traditional two-valve faucet’s ceramic gasket replacement is illustrated in detail in the diagram. You’ll need a wrench and a Phillips screwdriver.

Replacing the gland gasket insert

Leaks may also be caused by a packing gland liner that is worn. In this instance, the leak happens while the faucet is open and water gets in between the valve stem and the gland nut. In order to make things right, you must:

1. Unscrew the packing nut with a screwdriver.
2. Make a sealing insert from a second plastic sealing tape.
3. Remove the worn out liner.
4. Wrap the new liner tightly around the valve stem.
5. Tighten the nut.

The leak will stop and the valve will turn smoothly if everything is done correctly.

Replacing the shower hose O-ring gasket

Typically, a worn-out O-ring gasket is the source of the leak that occurs at the faucet-shower hose connection. To swap it out, do the following:

1. Using an adjustable wrench, unscrew the shower hose. This must be done carefully, otherwise you can easily damage the hose threads.
2. Remove the worn gasket.
3. Install a new ring gasket.
4. Put the shower hose back in place.

It is best to use a silicone O-ring gasket if at all possible. Rubber components are not as durable because they have a lower wear resistance.

Usually, replacing the rubber gasket or a portion of the locking mechanism—the faucet box—is required to stop the leak in the faucet. You can buy these parts from a plumbing supply store.

The locking components found in the faucet handles need to be changed if, after switching the water supply to the shower hose, a small amount of water still flows out of the faucet.This type of device is known as a faucet. They can be ceramic or come with a rubber gasket; choose the right model from the sanitary ware store.

Repair of the ball valve

Modern ball valves are a little trickier to operate than more conventional valve models. In the event that the ball valve leaks, what should be done? The most common cause of the issue is dirt getting inside the body, which makes the mixer less effective.

The ball valve needs to be carefully removed in order to repair it. In order to accomplish this, first take out the decorative plug, which has a fixing screw underneath.

To put it briefly, the faucet needs to be taken apart, cleaned, and put back together. Proceed as follows:

1. Use a screwdriver to remove the screw that fixes the lever.
2. Carefully remove the lever from the valve.
3. Use a screwdriver to unscrew the threaded screw.
4. Remove the dome of the mixer and the plastic seal.
5. Inspect the gasket of the seal, remove accumulated deposits.
6. If the seal is worn out, it is necessary to purchase and install a new part.
7. Remove and inspect the ball. If it is damaged, it will also have to be replaced with a new one.
8. Carefully pry up the gaskets that secure the ball with a thin screwdriver. If they are even slightly worn, they will also have to be replaced.
9. After replacement, lubricate the seals with a compound recommended by the manufacturer.
10. Carefully reassemble the mixer in the reverse order.

Because the ball faucet’s components are prone to damage, proceed with caution throughout the cleaning process. The leaks will stop if all the procedures are followed correctly. The same method can be used to fix temperature control issues with these faucets.

There are instances when changing the faucet cartridge suffices. The following procedure details are provided in the video material:

It’s critical to recognize possible causes of leaking faucets and know how to fix them. In addition to being inconvenient, a dripping faucet can waste a lot of water over time and raise utility costs. You can stop additional damage and save money and water by figuring out the source of the issue and taking the necessary action.

A worn-out or malfunctioning washer is one typical reason for a leaking faucet. Leaks may occur as a result of the faucet’s internal washer deteriorating over time from continuous use. Thankfully, changing the washer is a reasonably easy and affordable fix that can be completed on your own most of the time without the help of a professional. You can keep leaks from occurring and extend the life of your faucet by routinely checking and replacing the washers as needed.

An O-ring that is loose or broken could also be the source of a leaking faucet. Little rubber seals called O-rings are found around the base of the faucet handle and spout. Water leaks from faucets may occur if these seals wear out or become loose. Often, the problem can be fixed and the faucet can resume normal operation by simply tightening or replacing the O-rings.

A leaky faucet could occasionally be the sign of a more serious underlying issue, like a corroded plumbing system or a damaged valve seat. It might be essential to seek the help of a licensed plumber if simple fixes like changing the washers and O-rings don’t fix the problem. A skilled plumber is able to precisely identify the issue and suggest the best course of action for resolving the leak and averting further problems.

Whatever the source of the leak, you must fix it quickly to prevent wasteful water use and possible damage to your house. Maintaining the integrity of your plumbing system and having continuous access to clean water are both possible with an awareness of the typical causes of faucet leaks and the necessary repair techniques.

We’ll walk you through common problems and solutions for leaky faucets in our article "What to do when the faucet leaks: possible causes of malfunction + typical repair." Although leaky faucets can be expensive and wasteful of water, they are usually simple to fix with a little know-how. We’ll discuss possible causes such as corroded valves, loose fittings, or worn-out washers and walk you through the step-by-step process of diagnosing and fixing these issues. You can preserve water, stop additional damage, and maintain the smooth operation of your faucet by adhering to our guide.

Video on the topic

Leaky faucet handle falls off repair with your own hands

How to repair the valve (faucet) without shutting off the water / valve leaks, what to do!?

Dripping faucet in the kitchen!!! Quick repair.

Possible causes of leaking single-lever faucet

Dripping faucet: how to fix ✔ 👉 ✔ ✔ ✔ 👉 REPAIR CRAN-BOOKS IN THE Faucet FOREVER! 👍 TESTED!

Dripping faucet: how to fix ✔ Watch and learn!

Faucet repair. Shower leaks when the spout is turned on. Water dripping from the faucet-shower switch.