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Reasons Why Your Sink Won’t Stop Dripping

Reasons Why Your Sink Won’t Stop Dripping

Dripping sinks can be both annoying and wasteful of water resources. Even after turning off your faucet, their unending stream of drip-drip-drip sound persists; but why is this happening? In this article, Mr. Rooter Plumbing explores possible reasons behind your dripping sink and offers solutions for sink repair.

Worn-Out Washer

A worn-out washer can often be the source of leaky sinks. Housed within each faucet handle, its purpose is to create an impenetrable watertight seal, but over time friction from switching it on and off causes its condition to degrade, leading to leakage issues. Luckily replacing these parts is both simple and cost-effective.

Solution: Shut off the water supply to the sink. Disassemble and inspect the faucet handle, inspecting its washer. If worn or damaged, take it to a hardware store to find a matching replacement part before reassembling and turning back on your water source to check for leaks.

Loose or Damaged O-Rings

O-rings, also known as rubber seals, provide an essential seal between a faucet's base, handle, and water source, preventing any potential dripping sink issues. When these rings become loose or damaged, water may escape through gaps into your sink's interior, causing leakage problems that result in constant running faucets or toilets.

Solution: Switch off the water source and disassemble your faucet handle, inspecting its O-rings for signs of wear or damage and, if needed, replacing them with matching ones from a hardware store. Reassemble your handle and test for leaks before reassembly and testing again.

Corroded Valve Seat

A valve seat is a link between your faucet and spout, so any corrosion due to mineral deposits from hard water could create leakage around its perimeter. This issue often causes issues for shower faucets.

Solution: Switch off your water source, disassemble your faucet, and locate and inspect its valve seat for corrosion; if found to be affected, clean with a wire brush or special cleaner as soon as possible using either wire brushes or cleaning solutions. Finally, reassemble and test for leaks before testing for further damage.

Faulty Cartridge

Modern faucets often use cartridges instead of traditional washers to help manage water flow more precisely. They can lead to leaks if one becomes defective, failing to control flow effectively enough and leading to improper control over it. A malfunctioning cartridge could result in leaks by failing to effectively manage flow rate control, leading to overflow and ultimately to water being wasted by overfill.

Solution: First, turn off the water supply and disconnect the faucet handle. Take out and inspect the cartridge to detect cracks or damage; if necessary, replace it with one designed specifically for your faucet's model; reassemble and test for leaks before reassembly.

High Water Pressure

Excessively high water pressure can place undue stress on a faucet's internal components and result in leakage; this problem is more prevalent in areas with higher-than-average water pressure.

Solution: Install a pressure-reducing valve (PRV) on the main water supply line to help regulate pressure. A PRV will regulate and ease the strain on plumbing fixtures by controlling water pressure levels more precisely.

Improper Installation

Faulty installations of faucets or their components can lead to water leakage; for instance, if an element is improperly aligned or tightened during assembly, water can escape through leaks in its design or manufacturing.

Solution: Review the manufacturer's installation instructions carefully if you still determine your ability. Otherwise, hire a professional plumber who will install your faucet properly.

Sealant Deterioration

Sealant is designed to create a waterproof barrier around the base of a faucet. However, its effectiveness deteriorates, allowing water to seep into your home or building.

Solution: Switch off the water supply and disconnect your faucet, clean away old sealant, apply fresh plumber's putty or silicone sealant, reassemble, and test for leaks.

Cracked Pipes or Connections

Leaks may originate not just from the faucet itself but from cracks in pipes or connections beneath it.

Solution: Inspect pipes and connections for signs of damage, such as visible cracks or any visible damage that requires replacement components or repair by professional plumbing services. Should such issues exist, replace any affected items immediately or hire professional services to carry out necessary repairs.

Mr. Rooter Plumbing

Finding an answer to an implacable dripping sink can be quite a puzzle; that's where skilled plumbers step in - like detectives of the plumbing world, they have what it takes to solve the case of your leaky sink! At Mr. Rooter Plumbing, our mission has always been to address such mystery leaks head-on!

Our plumbing experts have seen everything: from mysterious drips to full-faucet breakdowns. Equipped with years of experience and tools chock-full of knowledge, we're the reliable partners you need when embarking on this plumbing adventure. Not content simply fixing issues; instead, we seek out their root causes as we hunt them down - those annoying drips won't stand a chance against our detective skills and dedication to solving even the trickiest plumbing mysteries!

When the drip, drip, drip of your sink has you agitated, we're here to provide relief. Our commitment to exceptional service goes far beyond mere words: it pervades every aspect of our business and every experience with clients like yourself. We know what it can mean to have an inaccessible sink, so we aim to end all your plumbing woes as soon as possible!

So if you're ready to say goodbye to those irritating leaks and restore harmony to your home, contact Mr. Rooter Plumbing right now for reliable yet effective plumbing assistance that puts an end to those leaks and brings peace back into the space! We guarantee it.