There is nothing quite as annoying as leaky faucets, the constant dripping sound from the bathroom that keeps you awake at night, or the irritating drip in the kitchen as you prepare food and spend time with your family.
Unfortunately, a dripping faucet might be the cause of more than just being an annoying sound in the background. A leak, even a small one is usually a sign there is a bigger problem somewhere. This could be anything from a worn washer to having an overpressurized system. One thing is for sure is that if you leave it unchecked a dripping faucet could end up being a much bigger problem and costing more to fix than was necessary.
Another unknown and often unthought about irritant is high utility bills and your leaky faucets could well be part of the problem! That small drip might not seem like much but dripping 24/7 soon adds up to a lot of wasted water.
It is always better to have repairs like this fixed sooner rather than later as leaving them can end up with more than an irritating drip and no one wants a flood on their hands! So what can you do about it?
A DIY Fix
Many faucet repairs are pretty simple and might just need a change of washer as these often get worn with use and need replacing. Another simple fix could be a screw or pipe that has come loose. You can check for these things with some simple home maintenance and plumbing repairs.
Before you start make sure you know where the turn-off for the faucet is and turn off the water line to the sink faucet. Once you have done this put the stopper in the drain and take off the handle of the tap. Next, you will need a wrench to take off the nut and then pull out the stem and then you can reach the washer! If it looks worn then change it for a washer of the same size and assemble the faucet again. Hopefully, that is enough to fix any dripping faucet.
Once you have done this type of job a couple of times you will soon be a dab hand at this basic task and it is a skill that will last you a lifetime! No matter where you live there is always likely to be a leaky faucet or two to fix.
Replace The Faucet
If the problem is bigger than a washer then you might need to replace the faucet completely. If your faucet is leaking from the base, handle, or worse from one of the pipes connecting it then you might need to replace the whole unit. Faucets get a lot of use every day so they do wear out and break. Luckily if yours needs replacing there are lots of options for this and it could be a great time to replace your faucets and your decor! You can choose from a wide range of styles and colors to fit in with your bathroom or kitchen. The options are endless and something as simple as new faucets can revitalize your whole bathroom.
Regular Maintenance And Repairs
The best way to avoid leaky faucet problems is to take regular care and maintain your plumbing! Many of these essential plumbing maintenance jobs come down to simple cleaning and checking. Cleaning your drains and keeping your pipes unclogged can go a long way to ensuring you don’t have big plumbing problems and your faucets are no different! Every now and then if you check your faucets, clean them from limescale and dirt build-up, replace the washers then your units should last for a long time.
If you aren’t too handy with DIY yourself or don’t have the time then you can always arrange regular service inspections and minor repairs done by a trusted plumber. Many plumbers offer service inspections yearly and these inspections can spot any area where problems are starting to occur. Spotting these issues early and while they are still small is vital for maintaining a healthy plumbing system and ensuring it doesn’t cost you a lot of time, hassle and money in the future.
Putting off those minor repairs might seem like money and time-saving exercise now but small issues can soon build up into being big issues and cost much more in the long run. So take care of your plumbing and it will take care of you!
If you ever need assistance with your leaky faucets, don’t hesitate to give us a call!
