What could cause a leaky Faucet?

If you are like many homeowners, you may need to know what causes the faucet to leak and some tips on how to fix a leaky faucet. There are many situations that can cause this type of problem and there is no one perfect answer. It is often a good idea to try to determine the source of the leak before you attempt to repair it.

The most common cause of a leaky faucet is tiny pieces of debris or hair. These things can get trapped between the trap and the wall socket in your faucet. Over time this can cause them to become loosened enough to actually become dislodged and allow water to leak out. At this point, it is necessary to locate and remove the item that has come loose.

Some hints for doing this include carefully snipping off the long piece of hair at the hook. You may also have to use a very sharp pair of wire cutters. Always take extreme caution when handling any type of plumbing. There is always a chance that you could sever the hose or you could damage the fixture. If there are splintered pieces sticking out from the faucet, you may have to pull it apart entirely. Again, be extremely careful.

You may want to check to see if there is a buildup of mineral deposits inside the trap. This could be the cause of the clog. The best way to solve this problem is to install a high quality water softener or filter system. Another option is to run some water through the faucet and see if there is a noise in the process. Sometimes water will become trapped in the faucet when it is forced to travel very fast through it. Once it becomes trapped, it can form an accumulation of minerals inside the pipe that will eventually cause it to clog. If you hear this sound during regular bathroom usage, you may want to replace the faucet with one made from materials that are more resistant to build up of deposits. It may also be necessary for you to perform some maintenance on the spout and on the fixture in order to clear away any built up dirt and bacteria. The pipes inside the faucet themselves are usually covered with a sleeve that is made of copper or brass. It is important to periodically check these for rust, debris, and dried oil since these are some of the worst causes for clogs.

Once you have figured out the cause of your leaky faucet, the next step is to take care of it. There are some things that you can do to prevent the problem from reoccurring. When you take the time to clean and repair your faucets, you are doing a great deed for yourself. Not only will you be able to save money that you would have spent on having the faucet repaired, but you will also be protecting the water supply that you use from further contamination and damage. Now that you know what causes the faucet to leak, you should put in the extra effort to make sure that it doesn't happen again.