Serving Forth Worth & the 
A leaky faucet can be a real headache. It leaves your sink wet, wastes water, and creates an annoying drip that can drive anyone crazy. Over time, that constant drip can even lead to water damage behind the sink, compromising the sheetrock and potentially fostering mold growth. While there are several potential causes for a leaky faucet, some of them are simple enough for homeowners to fix, especially if you’re comfortable with DIY plumbing projects.
However, in most cases, calling in the experts is the smartest move. Instead of wasting time searching through your toolbox, watching online tutorials, and making multiple trips to the hardware store, it often makes more sense to let our skilled team handle the repair.
Issues With Sink Handles
The handle on your sink faucet is part of a complex assembly that controls water flow through the valve. It’s attached to the valve stem by a set screw, typically located on the underside of the handle. This screw secures the handle to a valve cartridge or stem, which, when turned, regulates water flow and temperature. Even slight misalignments or wear in this mechanism can prevent the valve from fully closing, leading to a leaky faucet. Over time, frequent use can cause the set screw to loosen.
When the set screw loosens, the handle may still turn to the “off” position, but the valve may remain slightly open, allowing water to drip. While this may seem like a simple issue, it requires more than just tightening the handle.
Our professional plumber will first disassemble the handle assembly to clear any grime or debris that might be interfering with its operation. They will then use a torque wrench to tighten the set screw to the proper pressure. This tool ensures the screw is tightened without damaging the threads, which is something that often happens when homeowners attempt DIY repairs.
Seat and Spring Problems
Another common faucet issue occurs with the seat and spring mechanism. When you turn off the faucet handle, the valve moves downward and presses against the seat, a gasket that creates a watertight seal. If the seat becomes cracked or damaged, water can continue to flow past it even when the handle is off.
This problem is often the culprit behind persistent leaks. Fortunately, it’s usually a straightforward fix. One of our plumbers can quickly inspect the seat and spring assembly and replace any worn components as needed.
Clogged Aerators
In some cases, the “leak” you’re dealing with isn’t really a leak at all. The issue may lie in the aerator. This is the small screen insert at the end of your faucet. Over time, minerals, sediment, and other debris can build up in the aerator, especially in areas with hard water. When this happens, it can affect water flow and cause the faucet to drip even after the handle has been turned off.
If you suspect a clogged aerator, there’s a simple way to address it yourself. You can usually unscrew the faucet head by hand. However, if you need to use a wrench, make sure you put a towel between your faucet and the teeth to avoid scratching the finish. Be cautious not to apply too much force to avoid damaging the delicate threads or the aerator itself.
Once removed, you can then soak the screen in a vinegar solution for about 30 minutes to break down mineral buildup. After soaking, gently scrub it with an old toothbrush to remove any remaining debris. Rinse it thoroughly before putting it back in the faucet head. Finally, screw the head back on carefully. Hand tightening is sufficient, so you will not need your wrench for this step.
While this is a repair most homeowners can handle, it’s important to be gentle with the faucet head. If you accidentally damage it, you may not be able to tighten it fully, which could cause a new leak. If you’re uncomfortable performing this task, or if cleaning the aerator doesn’t solve the issue, a professional plumber can step in to solve the problem.
Faulty Cartridges
Another common cause of a persistent faucet leak in single-handle models is a faulty cartridge. This internal component is responsible for mixing hot and cold water based on how you position the handle. As you move the handle, the cartridge shifts to control both the temperature and the volume of water flowing through the faucet.
Over time, cartridges can become worn, cracked, or clogged with mineral deposits. When this happens, water may continue to pass through even when the faucet is not in use, resulting in a slow but constant leak.
Replacing a cartridge may sound straightforward, but it requires precision. Each cartridge is surrounded by multiple watertight seals that must be kept intact to prevent leaks. Applying too much force, using the wrong replacement part, or damaging the cartridge housing during removal can create new problems. That’s why this task should be left to a household plumbing service expert.
Bad O-Rings
If a faucet still drips after checking the cartridge and aerator, the problem may lie deeper within the faucet body, specifically with the O-rings. These small, flexible gaskets create watertight seals at several points inside the faucet assembly. Over time, O-rings can degrade due to constant pressure, mineral buildup, or simple wear and tear. A cracked or misaligned O-ring can allow water to leak around joints, often creating a persistent drip that’s hard to trace.
This issue is especially tricky because faucets contain multiple O-rings, each seated in a different location. Identifying the faulty one requires careful disassembly and inspection of the faucet’s internal components.
A Note About Mineral Buildup
If you have hard water in your home, it’s often the culprit behind ongoing issues with your faucets and other fixtures. Hard water contains high levels of dissolved calcium and magnesium which can accumulate in aerators, clog cartridges, degrade O-rings, and leave behind stubborn deposits that interfere with moving parts. Over time, these minerals can also damage your appliances, reduce the efficiency of your water heater, and leave unsightly stains on sinks and tubs.
To reduce or eliminate these problems, consider installing a water softener. They work by replacing the calcium and magnesium ions in your water with sodium or potassium ions through ion exchange. This process takes place in a resin tank where hard water passes through resin beads that capture the hard minerals.
Our plumbers will install your water softener where your main water line enters your home to treat all the water entering your plumbing. Addressing the root cause of mineral buildup can protect your plumbing fixtures and help you avoid repeated faucet repairs in the future.
Contact Your Local Plumbing Experts
At Cattlemans Plumbing, we have been serving the residents of Fort Worth, TX and the surrounding areas for years. You can count on us for all your plumbing services needs, including fixing faucets. Additionally, we provide drain cleaning, water heater, and water treatment services. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced plumbers.
