Faucet Repair: Leaks, Squeaks and Drips – Oh My!
August 23, 2023
Washing dishes or getting a glass of water is something most people do without much thought. The faucet in your home however, has to be working at peak condition. Just like any other part of your home’s plumbing system, your faucet will eventually need a bit of attention to keep it working. As a homeowner, it is your lucky responsibility to find and fix any issues that your faucet may be having.
Here are some of the faucet problems you may face and how you can fix them in a hurry.
A Whole Lot of Squeaking Going On
If you go to turn on your faucet and hear a very loud squeaking noise, it is time to do a bit of troubleshooting. Generally, older faucets with have a variety of washers (or O rings) in them. As the washers begin to wear out, they will start to make a lot of noise. In most cases, you will be able to get a washer kit from your local hardware store. With this kit, you will be able to replace every washer and nip the squeaking problem in the bud. If you’re not sure what kind of kit you’ll need, you can take your old ones with you.
Be sure to turn off your main water and empty your lines before you take anything apart.
A Spitting and Sputtering Faucet
So you go to turn on the faucet and instead of a nice stream of water, you get a lot of spitting and sputtering. This can create a big mess, but luckily, there’s usually a simple explanation for this. The first thing that you need to check when this problem happens is the aerator on your faucet. Generally, a weakened flow of water means the aerator may be clogged. By removing the aerator, you’ll be able to get a firsthand look at what is clogging it and remove the obstruction. If it’s not clogged you’ll have to do some further research to identify the problem.
Tackling Leaky Faucets
Among the most common faucet problems you may encounter are leaks. If you hear your faucet dripping morning, noon, and night, then you will need to take action. Checking the water pressure going to the tap is important. If the water pressure is set too high, then it will make the faucet drip constantly. Another common cause of this type of issue is a damaged washer.
Over time, the rubber washers on the inside of a faucet will begin to wear out. Getting replacement washers is easy and will allow you to get your faucet issues handled in a hurry with ease.
Kitchen Sink Sprayer is on the Fritz
The kitchen sink sprayer is used nearly every time a homeowner washes dishes. If your sprayer has a very weak flow of water, then you need to remove it and take a look at the internal diverter. By soaking this part in equal parts of water and vinegar, you will be able to clean it out and restore your water flow.
As soon as you discover issues with your faucets, you need to address them immediately to reduce the amount of damage done.
Actionable Steps:
- Installing new O-rings can fix a squeaky faucet
- Clean the faucet aerator if flow seems to be obstructed
- Troubleshooting leaky faucets can reduce the amount of guesswork involved in repairs
- Soaking a clogged diverter in vinegar and water can help to fix kitchen sprayer flow issues
- Contact the team at Hamilton Plumbing, Heating, A/C, Rooter for any faucet issues or plumbing repair that you can’t handle alone.
For immediate or emergency assistance, call Hamilton today at (913) 227-4943 and speak with our team over the phone.