Don’t Let a Leaky Faucet Ruin the Mood 

Valentine’s Day is a day to focus on love and each other and block out all distractions. Everyone knows that plenty of things can constantly take attention off of each other. Valentine’s Day is the perfect opportunity to tune out the distractions and focus on the people that matter most. But what about the things that are impossible to block out? 

A dripping faucet is a classic example of a small problem that can be a huge distraction. Imagine trying to focus on a special someone only to be constantly annoyed by the steady drips of a leaking faucet. Or worse yet, what if dinner and a movie become unaffordable because of a high water bill caused by a leaky faucet? Take a moment today and check the taps in the home for leaks. Getting leaky faucets fixed beforehand can help ensure that Valentine’s Day plans or any plans are a success and that homeowners aren’t wasting money on the water bill. 

Dangers of a Dripping Faucet

Apart from being an annoying distraction, a dripping faucet can cause serious damage that quickly ruins the memory of what would’ve been the perfect day. Instead of just paying for leaky faucet repair, homeowners may have to face a host of other problems and costs to rectify the damage of a leak that wasn’t taken seriously. 

But how bad can a dripping faucet really be? The first consequence of a dripping faucet is a skyrocketing water bill. A single dripping faucet can waste many gallons of water per day. Add that up for a month, and the spike in the water bill will be noticeable. Ignoring a leaking tap is the equivalent of pouring money down the drain.

In addition to running up water bills, excess moisture from a leak greatly contributes to mold growth in the home. Leaks can cause cabinets and walls to mold, worsening respiratory symptoms like asthma and allergies. Repairing the damage from mold growth can be invasive and expensive, so why not just fix the leak quickly instead?

What Causes a Dripping Faucet?

Faucets seem complicated to those unfamiliar with them, but in reality, they are simply slightly more complex valves. Every valve has a seal and a seat to control water flow. The seal going bad is often a cause that allows water to drip. Seals are usually O-rings that can be replaced simply and cheaply with parts from any hardware store. 

Valve seats in a faucet are what the seal presses up against. In some cases, especially where hard water is present, corrosion can build up on the seat and prevent a good seal, causing water to leak. Removing the faucet cartridge and gently scraping away corrosion or scale may stop the dripping faucet, or the cartridge may need to be replaced entirely. 

A Guide to Fix a Leaky Faucet 

Repairing a leaky faucet isn’t difficult for those who know what they are doing, but it requires some tools that not everyone has. Hiring a professional is always a good idea because they have the experience, training, and tools to fix it right the first time. However, the steps a plumber will go through are the same as a homeowner would use. Here are the steps to replace a faulty faucet cartridge:

• Shut off the water at the cutoff valve
• Open the faucet to relieve pressure
• Use screwdrivers and wrenches to expose the valve cartridge
• Remove the faulty faucet cartridge and replace it with the correct type
• Reassemble the faucet and then turn back on the water

About Laney's Inc.

Laney's Inc. has more than 60 years of experience serving the community of Fargo, ND, and the surrounding areas. They offer competitive pricing, honest advice, and fast response time. Call them today for water leak detection and leak repair services in Fargo, ND.

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