Should I Repair or Replace a Leaky Faucet?

When you have lived in the same home for a while, you can start to experience some annoying breakdowns, such as leaky faucets, clogs, or slowly draining fixtures, so now is a good time to learn when you should repair or replace. Now each piece of your home comes with a different lifespan and cost, so you should treat each repair on a case-by-case basis. However, let’s focus on a specific issue, a leaky faucet.

The first thing to
consider is what is causing the leak. Often, the constant use can lead the o-ring
to become loose or worn down. It would be a mistake to replace the whole faucet
when you can fix the leak with one inexpensive purchase. Even if you don’t know
anything about plumbing, learning how to replace this o-ring will save you a
trip from a plumber and wasted money on your next water bill.

Another common cause
for a leaky faucet is mineral corrosion. This can ruin your valve seat or
washer. These are a bit more difficult to repair without experience, so watch a
tutorial online before deciding how you want to deal with the problem. These
causes for faucet sinks are usually tied to the age of your home or the usage
of your fixture and sometimes a replacement is your best option.

If you notice a leaky
faucet in a new home or from a newly replaced fixture, it is very likely due to
an improper installation. This is a problem that you should bring up with your
plumber and get replaced without a doubt. In fact, if this is the cause, a leak
may be an early symptom to a greater and more expensive problem if ignored.
Even if you decide to call a plumber for the fix, it is better to reduce the
amount of wasted water by scheduling early!