Is a Dripping Faucet Ruining the Mood?

Men and women alike plan for weeks before the date night to ensure everything is perfect for their significant other. The lights are turned down, the surround sound has set the mood, and the kids are away at their grandparent's house. The night is perfect until the sound of water droplets repeatedly splashing against the porcelain sink bounces down the hallway from the bathroom. The sound reverberates through the house, dancing to the beat of its own drum in the plumbing system. 

In this article, homeowners can begin to understand what causes a leaky faucet and what to do to keep them from ruining their next date night.  

Why Is a Leaky Faucet Bad?

The next way a homeowner's life could be affected by a dripping faucet is by impairing their health. Dripping faucets are usually the cause of some ailment somewhere in the piping, and if left untreated, leaks can spread and begin to grow mold. 

Mold is a harmful fungus that grows where moisture is present. Mold, if ingested, can cause serious health side effects such as:

• Chronic headaches or migraines
• Chronic fatigue
• Memory loss
• Shortness of breath
• Depression and anxiety

What Causes It?

Faucets leak for many reasons, but the most common reasons can be corrosion, faulty O-ring, or clogs or cracks in the pipes themselves. 

Faulty O-rings are usually the culprit when a sink begins dripping. An O-ring is a small disk that fits into the faucet itself to stop the backflow of water into the sink. Over time, due to pressure and usage, the o-ring will wear and loosen, creating breaks in the seal.

Clogs or cracks in the pipes will cause displaced pressure to swell. Clogs in pipes happen for many reasons, including food particle buildup, lime buildup, or natural mineral buildup. Cracks can happen because of the age of the pipe, a root puncturing the pipe or a sudden displacement of pressure. These clogs or cracks will start small but lead to bigger, more expensive repairs.

Corrosion happens as pipes age over time. The older the pipes are in the home at the time of purchase, the more it is recommended the homeowner gets an annual inspection. If left untreated, corrosion can break the pipes in half, causing them to burst.

How To Fix Them

First, the homeowner needs to distinguish what kind of sink they have in their home. This is crucial because the number of handles determines the type of cartridge used. 

Second, turn off the water to that sink to do the sink repair.

Third, remove the handle covers.

Fourth, The homeowner will need to remove the handle and the nut sticking out of the handle.

Fifth, now it is time to take out the old cartridge. If the homeowner has a one-handle faucet, one will need to remove the retaining clip and nut.

Sixth, if the faucet has an O-ring, remove it from the faucet, dry it and clear it of debris, cover with silicone grease, and place it back inside.

Seventh, reinsert the cartridge, ensuring the hot and cold water sides match, and reassemble the sink by reversing these steps. 

The eighth and final step is to turn the water and the faucet on to check its functionality. This ensures that the parts were placed and tightened correctly and that the cleaned O-ring and cartridge fixed the faucet's leaks.

About Magic Plumbing

The professionals at Magic Plumbing have been genuinely caring for homeowners and their homes for over 40 years. Their no surprise service and trustworthy team can ensure every customer receives the right service at the right price. Their goal is to get the service fixed and finished the right way, the first time. Contact them today for help with a dripping faucet. 

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