Drip… drip… drop…. drip…

More than just a nuisance, an endlessly dripping faucet can, sometimes, be an early indicator of an array of other problems, perhaps with your faucet itself or buried deep in your pipes.

And besides being annoying, a dripping faucet wastes a substantial amount of water over time – in fact, at one drop per second, a leaky faucet can waste nearly 3,000 gallons of water per year. Not only is this bad for the planet, but for your pocketbook, running up your utility bills in the long run.

Want to silence the drip, conserve water, save money, and stop a potential plumbing disaster in its tracks?

Here are the most common reasons why your faucet may be dripping – and what you can do about it:

Cause #1: Damaged or Worn Parts in the Faucet Itself

Worn out parts are among the leading causes of leaky faucets. If you have a traditional faucet, the washer inside tends to wear out over time. If you have a cartridge faucet, the cartridge itself may be worn out. A ball faucet tends to leak because of a problem with the O ring, seal, or another corroded part. You may also want to consider replacing or cleaning your aerator, which can get clogged, leading to leaks, as well as unwelcome changes of water pressure.

Your best solution is to get a professional to take a look at the faucet to determine whether the whole fixture should be replaced, or if an individual part should be replaced instead.

Cause #2: Improper Water Pressure

If you have exceptionally high water pressure in your home, there is a good chance that this is what is causing your faucet to leak. Water pressure that is improperly distributed throughout your system can lead to improper draining, which makes its way towards your faucet in the form of a relentless drip.

It is important to call a professional to come to assess this situation, because a water pressure issue could very well trigger other plumbing issues in your home, including burst pipes or damage to your fixtures.

Cause #3: Damaged or Cracked Pipes

A pipe that is corroded or cracked may display itself as a faucet drip externally. A broken pipe can also create issues with water pressure, displaying symptoms much like we mentioned above, including an unwelcome stream or an uneven flow.

Call a plumbing professional immediately to assess the situation if you think you may have a cracked or damaged pipe. This type of problem can escalate quickly, and can also become very expensive, leading to leaks, flooding, or even extensive water damage.

Cause #4: Improper Repairs or Installation

It is possible that your faucet is leaking due to improper repairs or installation of the faucet parts themselves. If the fixture itself is seated improperly, or some specific parts aren’t attached optimally, you may be experiencing some leaks stemming from those mistakes. Have the repairs or installation reevaluated by a professional plumber in order to fix the issue if something seems off.

Have any more questions about drips, drops, or leaks? Want to update or replace your faucet or any other plumbing fixture! Don’t hesitate to send us an email or give us a call – our team is ready and happy to help!

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