5 Possible Reasons You Have Water Dripping From a Faucet

An average American family spends $1,000 on water bills every year.

How much do you spend on the water in your home? Would you like to reduce the bill? One method of reducing the bill is to identify faulty water outlets and fix them.

For instance, water dripping from faucets can cause a significant loss of water in the long run. Also, the dripping may increase moisture in your house and cause mold.

Don't worry if you have been experiencing this problem. The leaky faucet issue is common in many homes, and experienced plumbers can help you prevent the dripping. Here are the top five main reasons why water may be leaking from your faucets.

1. Problem With the O-Ring

An O-ring is the sealer of the tap. It is the stopper that controls the amount of water getting out of the faucet. When the ring is loose or damaged, water flows continuously from the tap, and that's why you may experience dripping.

The O-ring damage is caused by poor design and installation, inadequate lubrication, or wrong ring size. The ring may also develop problems after several months or years of use due to wear and tear.

You may not easily identify a faulty O-ring, but an experienced plumber can. But how can you avoid the issues?

First, you should understand the type of O-ring in your faucets. There are many types, and knowing the exact one in your faucets can help you understand how to fix the issue.

You should also find an experienced plumber to install the O-ring to avoid installation problems.

2. Water Pressure Issues

The normal water pressure ranges from 45 psi to 55 psi. Higher pressure than the recommended may cause the faucet to drip.

If you are using your sink or dishwasher and you turn off the tap, the water will continue to drip because the pressure is too high.

Unlike the faulty O-rings, the high water pressure issue is easy to handle. You can try a DIY solution by buying a water pressure gauge to measure the water pressure coming from the faucets.

If the pressure is excessively high, you should adjust the regulator of your water source. The adjustment process is quite easy, provided that you have the key to the regulator and you know how to do it.

Nevertheless, you can find an experienced plumber to test the pressure on your behalf and make the necessary adjustments.

3. Rust and Corrosion

Rust is another possible cause for water dripping from the faucet in your home if you use hard water. Hard water contains multiple minerals and solids which form a residue on the tap.

As the water flows out of the tap, the hard water minerals continue to stick to the faucet walls. With time, the residue starts to attract moisture from the running water, and rust forms.

In addition to the leaky faucet, you can confirm a rust issue in your faucets by checking the water's color coming out. If the taps are rusty and eroded, the water will be brownish. This can easily result in a busted pipe and major leaking problems if not addressed.

Multiple practices can help you solve the rust problem. First, you can apply vinegar to the affected parts of the faucet. Secondly, you can use a water softener to make the hard water soft.

Replacement can be the ideal solution if the faucets are corroded beyond repair. But you should consult a plumber first to inspect the level of corrosion and help you replace the taps.

4. An Issue With the Washer

The washer of a faucet is located above the O-ring. Its role is to seal any gaps bringing water into your sink.

Like the O-ring, the water washer may become loose and fail to control water pressure as expected. Wear and tear can also contribute to issues with your water washer.

If the washer is still new but the tap is leaking, the chances are high that the installation was not done right. Also, the washer may not be the right size for the tap.

You may not readily identify the faults in your washers unless an expert does. If the O-ring is okay and you don't have rust and corrosion signs, consult an experienced drainage and plumbing contractor to help you.

The plumber will remove the washer to identify the underlying issue and advise you on the right way forward.

5. Broken Plumbing Systems

The last possible cause of leaky faucets is a general plumbing problem. If you have checked the tap's seals, the O-ring, and the washer and found no visible signs of rust and corrosion, you can comfortably blame the plumbing fixtures.

The plumbing fixtures are prone to many issues. Even with the right maintenance, the pipes may crack, block, or develop other issues without your knowledge.

Before you start a DIY repair on your faucets or other plumbing fixtures, talk with your neighbors first to check if they are experiencing a similar issue. If they are affected, you will know that the problem comes from the general plumbing systems.

An experienced plumber can inspect the plumbing systems to identify the issue. The experts use special plumbing cameras to check through the pipes, which means that they can solve the problem better than you. They can also advise you on how to fix water dripping in the future.

Don't Ignore Water Dripping From Faucet

On average, water leaking makes one trillion gallons of lost water every year in the United States. So, don't ignore the water dripping from the faucet, irrespective of how little it seems.

With time, it will accumulate into many gallons, and your water bills will surge. Control the issues as soon as you notice them by either trying DIY practices or calling an experienced plumber.

Mr. Rooter is a reputable plumbing firm in Austin, Texas. We understand how stressful it can be to deal with an emergency plumbing issue, and that's why we try our best to provide 24-hour excellent customer service.

We fix plumbing issues in both residential and commercial buildings. If your plumbing systems are at fault, contact us to get a free price quotation and helpful advice too.