6 Common Faucet Problems & How to Fix Them

Fixing a faucet may seem easy for an enthusiastic DIYer homeowner. However, while many common faucet problems require straightforward fixes, it’s often faster and easier to call a plumber. If you still want to repair the faucet, here’s what to do.

1. The faucet is dripping

The sound of an insistently dripping faucet isn’t just annoying and expensive. Imagine that every ping of falling water is the clink of coins, disappearing down the drain forever.

Although a leaky faucet won’t cause your utility bills to skyrocket immediately, you will feel its effects over time. Over a year, a single faucet leak can waste more than 11,000 litres of water. Unless you fix that annoying drip, you’ll end up paying for a lot of water you didn’t even use. It’s wasted money- and it’s entirely unnecessary.

Depending on the problem, you can sometimes fix a dripping faucet by yourself. If the faucet is dripping, it’s often due to a broken washer, degraded O-ring, or a deteriorated valve seat. Yet before replacing any of these parts, you must first turn off the shut-off valve so there’s no water flowing through to the faucet. 

Next, disassemble the faucet handle and detach the valve stem. As you inspect the parts, look for anything damaged or worn. Faucet washers consist of silicone, which degrades over time. Swap out any broken components and reassemble.

2. There’s no water coming from the faucet

You go to turn on the faucet, and … nothing comes out. Something is wrong- and that something is a blockage.

If your home has hard water, a mineral deposit has likely been collected in the fixture, preventing water flow. Dirt and debris can cause blockages. 

Additionally, the cause can be much more benign: you forgot to reopen a closed shut-off valve. Before disassembling the faucet, check the shut-off valve (commonly found underneath the sink).

Is the shut-off valve open? It’s time to take the fixture apart. It would be best if you cleaned all the valves and chambers. Use a toothbrush and white vinegar to remove any sediment that has built up gently. Then, reinstall all the parts in the correct order.

Are you feeling nervous about disassembling your faucet? Call Brothers Plumbing for our faucet repair services. 

3. The faucet has low water pressure

Low water pressure can turn a healthy water flow into a disappointing trickle. Although serious faults can cause this problem in your home’s larger plumbing system, it’s sometimes a result of dirt, debris, and sediment buildup in the fixture. 

As minerals and filth collect in the faucet’s diverter and aerator, the water flow is slowly restricted. Eventually, the tap becomes entirely blocked.

To fix this blockage, remove and clean the sprayer diverter and aerator. Soaking the aerator in a vinegar solution can help loosen sediment.

However, if a thorough cleaning does not resolve the low water pressure, you need to call Brothers Plumbing. Your home may have a broken pipe or malfunctioning water pressure tank, causing a drop in water pressure. 

4. You see rusty water 

You never want to see rusty water coming out of your faucet. Rushing water is a clear sign that some internal components are severely rusted and are now disintegrating into the water. 

Immediately disassemble the fixture to assess the damage. If everything is rusty, then repair is no longer an option. Your best (and only) option is to replace the faucet. 

Rust is a problem that you should pay attention to. If you don’t, it’s only a matter of time before you have a leak on your hands. The rust will eat through the metal in the fixture, and water will begin to seep into your bathroom or kitchen.

5. Parts of the faucet are loose

A loose and wobbly faucet might not seem like a big problem. However, it can damage the sink. Parts of the fixture might also break. If this happens, water will begin leaking, causing damage to counters, cabinets, and even walls. Water damage is every homeowner’s worst nightmare, so fix that faucet immediately!

First, turn off the shut-off valve and remove everything from under the sink. Then, grab a wrench and begin tightening the nuts underneath the faucet until it no longer wiggles.

6. You hear noise when you use the faucet 

Uh-oh! Does your faucet scream, whistle, or chatter when you turn on the tap? It isn’t supposed to do that. Fortunately, this is usually an easy fix.

A loose or damaged washer often causes a noisy faucet. Simply tighten the washer or replace it. However, if this doesn’t work, it may be your pipes that are screaming. A plumber will need to investigate the source of the problem.

When You Should Call a Plumber

There are some faucet problems that you can try to solve yourself. However, that’s not necessarily the fastest or most straightforward option. If you don’t know what you’re doing, even a simple faucet repair can become lengthy and complicated. 

Professional plumbers, on the other hand, know what they’re doing. They’ve fixed this problem countless times before and have the tools, methods, and knowledge to provide high-quality faucet repair services.

Even if you are confident in your DIY abilities, there are still some leaky faucet problems that you should never try to repair yourself. Call your plumber if you have any of the following issues:

• Worn Seals: Have it replaced professionally to avoid water seepage in the future. You should have worn seals installed tightly.

• Broken Pipes: This is a serious issue that requires professional attention. Pipes are hidden within your home, so only a plumber should access them.

• Valve Seat Corrosion: Specific tools are needed to remove a valve seat. Your plumber has them, and you don’t.

Professional Faucet Repair Services in Toronto

Brothers Plumbing provides fast and accurate faucet repair services in Toronto. Our crew is highly experienced and has worked on every top faucet brand. Whether your faucet is leaking, noisy, or has low water pressure, we can help.

For faucet repair services in Toronto, call Brothers Plumbing at 800-741-8471 or contact us here.