A small drip coming from your sink may not seem like cause for serious concern. However, even a minute amount of water can cause your water bills to rise and contribute to long-term plumbing problems. As such, homeowners should contact a plumber at the first sign of a leak. Here are three potential causes that indicate you need to schedule repairs.

Why Is the Sink Dripping?

1. Worn Out Washer

All compression faucets require washers—compact rubber rings that create a seal against the valve seat. The latter is designed to connect the spout to the faucet. Over time, friction between the rubber ring and the valve seat causes natural wear that builds to a leak. If the washer isn’t damaged, the issue could be due to an improperly sized product or poor installation.

2. Valve Seat Corrosion

If the washer isn’t causing the problem, you may need a plumber to check the valve seat. This could be the culprit if there’s a buildup of sediment and deposits. In some cases, you may be able to resolve this by soaking the valve seat in a de-scaling solution for approximately an hour. Use a brush to gently scrub away the remaining scale, then rinse the part and place it back on the faucet. Otherwise, call a plumber. 

3. O-Ring Failure

On cartridge faucets, the handle is attached to the system using a stem screw. Around the screw is a minuscule disc, known as an O-ring. If this ring loosens or suffers general wear over time, the faucet may develop a leak around the handle. Plumbers can resolve this problem simply by replacing the O-ring.

Don’t allow a faucet drip to continue for long. Trust in the team at K & G Plumbing & Heating. Based in Hastings, NE, these established plumbers proudly serve homeowners throughout Adams, Hall, Clay, and Webster counties. They can handle everything from general plumbing concerns and broken pipe fixes to septic system installations. Visit the website for details on their company, or call (402) 463-4470 to fix a leaky faucet today.