How to Fix a Leaking Faucet
Thompson Family Plumbing is your go-to choice for residential plumbing repair and installation throughout Lake Havasu City, AZ and Hesperia, CA.
Helpful Information
Leaky taps might seem like an insignificant issue, but the truth is quite the opposite. A single leaky faucet can waste up to 3,000 gallons of freshwater per year, and leaks can cause major water damage in your house. If you spy a leaky faucet in your house, you shouldn’t neglect it until it turns into a serious problem. The team at Thompson Family Plumbing & Drain is here with this quick guide on how to fix leaking faucets.
Most Common Leaking Faucet Causes
Below are some of the most common causes of leaky faucets and how to fix them.
Loose Faucet Fixtures
The simplest reason for a leaky faucet is loose faucet fixtures. The most common kind of loose fixture is a faucet washer. Faucet washers press against the valve seat and loosen when you turn the handle, letting water out. If the washer is not tight enough, water will leak out even when the handle is turned off. You can tighten the faucet on your own or buy and install a replacement from a local hardware store.
Valve Seat Corrosion
The valve seat is the part of a faucet that seals the valve stem and controls the flow of water. Valve seat corrosion can cause cracks and holes, allowing water to leak out underneath the base of the faucet when you turn the handle on. If the valve seat is damaged, you will have to take apart the faucet and replace it to fix the leaking issue.
Faulty Faucet Seals
Another method of how to fix leaking faucets is replacing the O-ring. Faucets also rely on rubber gaskets and o-rings to create watertight seals at part junctions. When these seals tear and rip, they let water leak out through the edges. Generally, faucet o-rings and gaskets are located right where the spout connects to the rest of the faucet. You can take the top part of a faucet apart and locate the faulty o-ring to replace it.
Faulty Aerator
Faucets have an aerator that mixes water into the stream to improve pressure and reduce water waste. Aerators can become blocked or clogged with sediment, leading to faucet leaks. A quick aerator blockage fix is to unscrew and soak the attachment in vinegar.
Faulty Faucet Diverter
Shower-tub combos use a faucet diverter to redirect water from the tub faucet to the shower head. If the diverter is clogged or damaged, it can cause water to leak from either spout, even when it’s supposed to be in the “closed” position. Faucet diverter cleaning can address minor blockages, but you’ll need to hire a professional to remove and replace a broken diverter.
Your Trusted Source of Plumbing Repair and Installation in Hesperia 
A leaking faucet is not a huge deal alone, but it can cause major water damage and water waste in the long term. If you have more questions on how to fix leaking faucets or need to schedule professional faucet repair, contact Thompson Family Plumbing & Drain online or call today at (800) 483-0784.
-
“Always go above and beyond for their customers”
Once again Thompson Family Plumbing came in and took care of us as if we were their family. They always go above and beyond for their customers and make you feel like you are important to them. I can’t thank them enough for coming in and taking care of the issues that I had with my home as quickly as they did. Absolutely the best plumbing company around. Thank you, John and Devynn for everything.
-Nicole H.
-
“Price was more than reasonable, especially last minute”
What a great local family company. Had a little issue today (Saturday). Gave them a call. The lady said she would have someone here between 3 & 5. It was at 1 when I called. 3:00 on the nose Don was here. Don was very friendly and had the broken pipe fixed in no time at all. The price was more than reasonable, especially last minute on a Saturday.
-Andy S.
-
“Fantastic job of analyzing the situation and making all the necessary repairs”
Thank you Thompson Family Plumbing for your quick and professional service. Don did a fantastic job of analyzing the situation and making all the necessary repairs. Clients were happy with the professionalism and knowledge that Don possessed in getting the job done. Ashley went out of her way to ensure that an appointment was made asap for the clients.
-Richard B.
-
“Took care of it in no time”
Plumbing technician Dean Taylor came over last week to set up a line so I could get a dishwasher installed. I didn’t have the proper setup but he took care of it in no time! Now the installers will have no problem doing it. He was very knowledgeable and professional. I will definitely have him come back for other plumbing jobs. From start to finish everyone I spoke to was very helpful! Their customer service is outstanding!
-Jackie L.
-
“Gave me great peace of mind”
Great experience with TFP! They were super professional and friendly, exactly on time, fixed the issue, AND were inexpensive. I received a text when to expect them with a picture of my two technicians (Dean & Kade) AND their license numbers included in the text. This gave me great peace of mind as I am a woman that lives alone. I highly recommend Thompson Family Plumbing!
-Brisa A.
-
“Integrity and honesty”
I cannot say enough good things about this amazing company. We found them through reading other people’s reviews on Yelp. They have helped us with a plumbing issue and installing a new hot water heater. They are prompt, reasonable, and incredibly helpful. John’s integrity and honesty along with the rest of the crew would make it a pleasure to recommend to anyone and everyone.
-Joyce A.
