Your home eventually will have to deal with a faucet or two and an annoying drip. A leaky faucet is a common household problem.
Identifying the drip is one thing; explaining the drip is another issue altogether. 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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Our San Diego CA faucet repair specialists at Perry Plumbing Co. are here to help you with your leaky faucet. Give our expert San Diego plumbers a call today, or visit us online for details.
