Dripping Faucet?

As we talked about in our previous post, maintenance inspection is key to keeping your plumbing running top notch. However, even the most thorough plumbing maintenance inspection won’t prevent the occasional clog or leak, especially in older homes.

One of the most common (and annoying) plumbing problems are dripping faucets. Ugh aren't they the worst? Especially when you're trying to sleep and all you hear is that constant drip...drip...drip....

A dripping faucet also drives your water bill higher. A single faucet can send hundreds of gallons of water per year down your drains a drop at a time.

Water entering your home is under pressure to move it through the pipes. When you turn off the tap, rubber or silicone-based washers form a water-tight seal that prevents more water from pushing its way through the pipes and out of the faucet. Over time, washers can become stiff, torn or dislodged, allowing a tiny trickle of water through and creating that annoying drip. While you can replace washers yourself, the repair job can be more of a challenge than you might expect without specialized tools. If the leak has gone on long enough, the valve seat may become worn or corroded, necessitating a more involved repair that’s best left to the professionals at Pro N Stall.

Not all sinks have washers to hold back the flow of water. Ceramic taps, also called disc or canister taps, use durable ceramic plates that fit together to form a seal. Although they need maintenance less often than rubber washers, the repair job is more complex than a simple washer replacement. If you have a lever-operated sink or tub instead of one with separate knobs, you probably have a ceramic disc or canister tap.

If you're looking for an easy do-it-yourself-fix, try this: Pry off the decorative cap on the handle, remove the handle screw, pull off the handle and use a crescent wrench to unscrew the packing nut. After unscrewing the stem, remove and replace the seat washer held in place by a brass screw.

If you're nervous to try this task alone, no problem! Pro N Stall of Nashville is dedicated to helping you resolve all of your water heater, plumbing, heating, and air conditioning needs. Give us a call today at 615-471-1122!

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