What Causes a Slow Drip Faucet—and Is It a Big Deal?

Save Water by Fixing a Slow Drip Faucet

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, one trillion gallons of water is wasted each year by homeowners in the United States. Approximately 10% of households experience leaks that can be easily prevented. Although this is definitely considered a major hassle, it’s important to remember these problems can be avoided by hiring a professional plumber.

Repair Your Dripping Faucet

It’s easy to make the mistake of believing this is a minor nuisance, but you would be surprised how much water you’re wasting by refusing to get a repair for your dripping faucet. Choosing not to schedule repairs for your dripping tap increases utility bills, causes plumbing fixtures to become worn, and potentially points to an underlying problem. In this article, you’re going to learn about the benefits of scheduling maintenance for your leaky faucet, why refusing to do repairs becomes expensive, when replacement is a better option, and when it’s time to call a plumber.

Learn About the Causes of Dripping Faucets

Learning about the cause of a dripping faucet is the key to avoiding expensive repairs for your home. One of the major causes is that, over time, a faucet that drips once every few seconds ends up leading to hundreds or even thousands of gallons of water over the course of a year. It contributes to higher utility bills as well. While this situation may not significantly affect one month’s bill, ongoing leaks turn into a major expense gradually.

Slow Dripping Faucets Increase Wear on Plumbing Fixtures

Another issue that is caused by a slow dripping faucet is increased wear on plumbing fixtures. It creates additional strain on the inside of the faucet, which causes it to stop working quicker. Internal components become even more worn out the longer your faucet continues to leak. Choosing not to fix a slow dripping faucet has a negative impact on the environment as well. It also makes it hard to conserve water and increases water consumption. A simple way for homeowners to reduce water waste is to repair the leak.

Worn-Out Washers Cause a Slow-Dripping Faucet

If you have a worn-out washer, this can cause a faucet to drip slowly. It naturally wears down over time due to constant friction, so it’s not like this is a rare issue. This is especially true if you have a compression faucet. Created in the year 1845, it is recognized as the most common type of faucet with a handle for both warm and cold water. In your home, if the faucet drips after you turn it off, it could mean your washer is worn out. Other signs include having older plumbing fixtures and leaks that gradually worsen over time.

Damaged O-Rings Cause a Slow-Dripping Faucet

Another cause of a slow dripping faucet is a damaged O-ring. For those of you who are unfamiliar with what this is, it’s a compact, rubber seal in the shape of a circle. It creates a seal that prevents water from dripping out. Moreover, an O-ring tends to crack and loosen the older it gets, as well as the more you use it. Common symptoms include leaks near the faucet handle and small, but consistent, drips.

Slow-Dripping Faucets Are Caused by Corroded Valve Seats

For the next culprit, that would be a corroded valve seat. Located on the inside of the tap, this is what connects the faucet to the spout. It’s shaped like a tiny ring found on the inside of the faucet body, where water passes through. Mineral deposits and corrosion can prevent a proper seal, causing water to flow out of the faucet. If you find hard water in your home, you could experience this issue more frequently.

Worn Cartridges or Ceramic Disks Lead to Slow-Dripping Faucets

Worn cartridges or ceramic disks become gradually damaged, causing a faucet to drip slowly. Compared to compression faucets, cartridge and ceramic disc faucets use different internal mechanisms. Just like your favorite pair of sneakers, these components could wear out or become damaged. Symptoms may include persistent dripping, difficulty turning the handle, and inconsistent water flow.

Faucets Drip Slowly Due to Loose or Worn Internal Parts

Loose or worn internal parts cause faucets to drip slowly. Screws, seals, springs, and other internal components naturally loosen with years of use. It only takes one small worn component to prevent the faucet from sealing completely. During times like these, it’s important to remember a plumber is only a call away. After hiring a technician, this person can repair the seal so your faucet stops dripping once and for all.

High Water Pressure Leads to a Slow-Dripping Faucet

High water pressure can prevent a faucet from shutting off completely, which can cause it to drip. In many cases, a faucet drips during certain times of the day more than others. Upon hiring a professional plumber, you may count on this person to perform a thorough inspection before a leaky faucet causes damage elsewhere. It’s a great way to save money since it will help you avoid expensive repairs from leaking pipes, broken seals, or worn appliances. These problems are caused by high water pressure but may be easily fixed by a professional plumber.

Mineral Buildup From Hard Water Creates a Slow-Dripping Faucet

Mineral buildup from hard water causes a faucet to drip slowly. Inside the pipes, calcium and magnesium deposits build up within the internal faucet components. This might interfere with seals and moving parts. Other signs of hard water include white residue, reduced water flow, and stiff faucet handles. Hiring a professional technician is the best way to remove hard water because your handyman will know how to use the proper equipment to make your home safe again and stop the faucet from dripping for good.

Hire a Plumber to Fix a Dripping Faucet

You should never ignore a dripping faucet since it could cause major problems later on. Although a dripping faucet hardly ever creates an emergency overnight, delaying repairs often makes the problem worse. That’s why it’s a good idea to tackle the issue head-on. Possible consequences include larger leaks developing later, more expensive repairs, fixture damage, mold or mildew if water continually accumulates, water stains around sinks or countertops, and additional strain on plumbing components. Catching the problem early is an effective way to avoid an expensive repair.

Should I Repair the Faucet or Replace It?

There are situations where it’s appropriate to repair the faucet instead of replacing it. For example, if it’s fairly new, there’s a good chance it will continue to work for a long period of time. Moreover, if only one internal component has failed, it’s likely that the other parts work well enough for you to not need a replacement just yet. If the fixture is in otherwise good condition, it’s safe to assume replacing your faucet doesn’t have to be your top priority. In a situation where replacement parts are readily available, you typically can just have one part of the fixture repaired. This is something you could do instead of replacing the entire faucet.

Reasons to Replace a Fixture

On the other side of the coin, there are reasons to replace the fixture. For example, if your faucet is old, replacing it is going to stop it from dripping, and you should update your plumbing fixtures anyway in order to keep your home safe. For homeowners who have already tried repairing the faucet multiple times, it’s best to simply replace it. Your fixtures will be taken care of, so you won't have to worry about dripping faucets. For homeowners who are struggling with plumbing fixtures that create extensive corrosion, getting a replacement is going to minimize any extra damage. In a situation where the parts for your faucet are no longer available, you should just replace it. This is because it’s impossible to perform a repair without the right components.

Replacing a Faucet Improves Efficiency

For improved efficiency or an updated appearance, you should replace your faucet. It will give your home a modern look, and it will eliminate everyday nuisances like a constant dripping sound while saving you hundreds of dollars on your utility bill. At the end of the day, the best way to discover cost-effective solutions is to hire a professional plumber. This person will have insight into what exactly your home needs, and you will receive a thorough inspection to prevent other issues and save as much money as possible.

When Should You Call a Professional Plumber to Fix Your Faucet?

There are many situations where you should call a professional plumber to repair your dripping faucet. With leaks that continue after replacing simple components, it’s best to contact a technician since this is usually considered a more complicated problem. Under circumstances where the source of the leak isn’t obvious, hiring a professional plumber is best since this person will be able to find out where it’s coming from. Experiencing higher-than-normal water pressure is another reason to call a technician because this problem can affect your whole house.

Hire an Expert Technician for an Efficient Faucet Repair

Expert technicians understand how to properly use equipment for measuring water pressure, find the causes, and offer options for solutions to stop your plumbing system from becoming severely damaged. For anyone experiencing corrosion in their homes, it’s important to call a specialist since this problem goes beyond just a simple leak. What this means for your plumbing system is this could result in a decline in performance, stop faucets from sealing properly, and create more severe destruction later on.

Specialists Can Identify Underlying Damage in the Home

Let a specialist identify the underlying damage in your home and repair your corroded faucet. You should definitely contact a specialist if you find leaks in multiple locations. While it might be a nice thought to fix it on your own, it’s going to be difficult to do the repair if it’s in many different places throughout your house. When it’s all said and done, you need an expert handyman to make the right diagnosis.

Contact a Specialist if the Leak Is in Multiple Places

It’s likely that you’re experiencing a bigger plumbing problem than you realize if the leak is in multiple places, so technicians can stop it from happening and help you avoid creating damage in your home. During your homeownership experience, it’s perfectly understandable to not want to take apart plumbing fixtures by yourself. Finding a handyman to help you is a great way to get this task done right. With the assistance of expert technicians, you can ensure the faucet is properly sealed and prevent larger plumbing problems from developing.

Slow Dripping Faucets Waste Water

Although a slow dripping faucet may seem like a minor inconvenience, it can waste water, raise utility bills, and indicate that worn plumbing components need attention. It’s why you have to address leaks promptly before they become a bigger issue. While dealing with a slow dripping faucet, you should contact trained specialists for an inspection, repair, or faucet replacement. After faucets and appliances instantly stop water from flowing into the plumbing system, this water produces a burst of pressure that moves throughout the pipes. Once a valve starts to close, the water flowing into the pipes has to suddenly stop. As a result, this pressure wave crashes against the wall of the pipe. It then creates a loud banging sound. Common causes include a missing or failed water hammer arrestor, excessively high water pressure, fast-closing appliance valves, and an aging plumbing system.