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(615) 613-2055Drip. Drip. Drip. There’s nothing more annoying than a leaky faucet, especially when you’re trying to sleep or focus. But beyond being an annoyance, a leaky faucet wastes a surprising amount of water. A single dripping tap can waste thousands of gallons a year, which adds up on your water bill fast.
At SteadyFlo Drain Cleaning & Plumbing, we fix leaky faucets all the time. Here’s a look at what causes them and what you can do about it.
Faucets aren’t complicated, but they do have several small parts that wear out over time. Here are the most common reasons yours is leaking.
If you have an older compression faucet (the kind with separate hot and cold handles), a worn washer is the most likely culprit. Every time you turn the water on and off, the washer presses against the valve seat. Over time, that friction wears the washer down and water starts to seep through.
Replacing a washer is one of the easier DIY fixes if you’re comfortable taking a faucet apart.
Cartridge faucets use small rubber O-rings to keep water from leaking around the handle. When those rings wear out or get loose, you’ll notice water dripping from around the base of the faucet rather than the spout itself.
The valve seat is where the faucet compression piece meets the spout. Minerals in the water can build up over time and corrode this part, causing leaks around the spout area. A quick cleaning can help, but heavy corrosion means the valve seat needs to be replaced.
If you have a single-handle faucet, it likely uses a cartridge to control the water flow. When the cartridge wears out, you’ll get leaks or trouble controlling the water temperature. Replacing the cartridge usually fixes the issue, but it’s a job that requires the right part for your specific faucet.
Sometimes the faucet isn’t really the problem. If your home’s water pressure is too high, it can force water through fittings and cause leaks that come and go. If you have multiple faucets leaking at once, high pressure may be to blame. Our team can check your pressure regulator and let you know if it needs adjusting.
Faucet parts can loosen over time from regular use. Sometimes the fix is as simple as tightening a nut or reseating a component. Just be careful not to overtighten and cause more damage.
If you’re the DIY type, here’s the basic process for tackling a leaky faucet:
Take pictures as you go. It makes reassembly a lot easier, especially if you get interrupted or need to run to the store for parts.
Some leaky faucet fixes are simple. Others turn into bigger projects fast. Call a professional if:
There’s no shame in calling in the pros. Sometimes it’s just easier to have someone who does this all day get it done right the first time.
It’s easy to shrug off a slow drip, but small leaks can turn into big problems. Constant moisture around a faucet can lead to mold, mildew, and damage to your countertops or cabinets. Under-sink leaks are especially sneaky since you might not notice them until the damage is already done.
Check under your sinks every few months for any signs of moisture. If you spot something, give us a call before it becomes a bigger issue.
You’d be surprised. A faucet that drips once per second wastes about 3,000 gallons of water a year. That’s enough to fill a small swimming pool, and you’re paying for every drop.
Multiply that by a few faucets and you can see how quickly it adds up. Fixing leaks is one of the easiest ways to lower your water bill.
Sometimes it makes more sense to replace the entire faucet than to keep repairing it. If your faucet is old, corroded, or you’ve had to fix it multiple times, a new one might be the better choice. Modern faucets are more efficient and often come with better warranties.
Our team can help you pick the right replacement and get it installed properly. If you’re upgrading multiple fixtures, we can handle the whole project at once.
Whether you need a quick faucet repair, a full replacement, or help figuring out what’s really causing the leak, our licensed plumbers are ready to help. We offer honest advice and quality work across Middle Tennessee, and we’re available 24/7 for emergencies when a leak just can’t wait.
Intermittent drips often point to high water pressure or a worn part that only leaks under certain conditions. If it’s happening off and on, it’s worth having someone take a look.
It depends on the cause. A simple washer replacement is quick and cheap. More complex issues like cartridge replacements or valve seat repairs cost a bit more but are still much cheaper than replacing the whole faucet.
Plumbers’ tape helps seal threaded connections, but it won’t fix a leak caused by a worn washer or cartridge. It’s a helpful tool for the right job, but it’s not a cure-all.
A quality faucet can last 15 to 20 years with normal use. Cheaper models may need to be replaced sooner, especially if they see heavy use.
SteadyFlo Drain Cleaning & Plumbing proudly serves the greater Murfreesboro and Nashville areas. Our coverage zone includes Smyrna, Franklin, Brentwood, La Vergne, Woodbury, Bradyville, Antioch, Lynchburg, Manchester, Morrison, Sparta, McMinnville, Cookeville, Smithville, Mt. Juliet, Nolensville, Rockvale, Gordonsville, Shelbyville, Spring Hill, Tullahoma, Christina, Wartrace, Winchester, and Rutherford County.
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