Sooner or later, a faucet in your home will begin to drip. You may not know how or why, but it’s a pretty safe bet that if you wait long enough, you will one day, someday, have a leaky faucet.
This is a common household problem. What isn’t so common, however, is the explanation of why a faucet may drip. To answer that, a resident would have to know the type of faucet he or she has installed. Every faucet is different, and once the type has been determined, only then will plumbing professionals diagnose the problem and find a solution for it.
Experts suggest there are four major types of faucets. Here are the types and what may be causing each leak:
- Ball-type faucet: Very common with kitchen sinks, ball-type faucets were the first faucets to be washerless. They usually feature a single handle with a ball-shaped cap above the faucet spout. Leaks can occur because of worn seals or springs.
- Cartridge faucet: These faucets work with the help of a movable stem cartridge that controls water flow and temperature upon being lifted and turned. Leaks can take place in cartridge faucets when either a cartridge or O-ring fails to hold a seal. Both must be replaced in this case.
- Compression faucet: Compression faucets are considered the oldest faucets. You will find this faucet in older-model homes. These feature hot and cold knobs that must be tightened to control water flow. They are the least expensive but most prone to leaks, which can come by way of a worn rubber washer.
- Disc faucets: Disc faucets have more of a modern look, as they feature a single lever over a wide base with a cylinder shape. These faucets use two sliding ceramic discs to control water flow and water temperature. Leaks occur because of inlet seal failures. A common myth for leaks is the failure of the discs.
Our Dallas TX faucet repair specialists at Aramendia Plumbing, Heating & Air are here to help you with your leaky faucet. Give our expert Dallas plumbers a call today, or contact us online for details.
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