Protect Valentine's Day Plans From Mood-Ruiners

Take Care of Dripping Faucets Before They Become a Nuisance

With the hustle and bustle of everyday life, one of the things that often has to be sacrificed is time with loved ones. Relationships take work, and luckily Valentine’s Day is a holiday set aside specifically so couples can spend at least one day focusing on love and romance. 

Like any holiday, the fates may conspire to ruin any plans. Restaurants may be full, and the movies may be crowded, leaving folks no choice but to spend a romantic night in. But, the frustrations may not end there. 

Plenty of things can go wrong in the home that can ruin the mood for Valentine’s Day. A leaky faucet is one of the worst offenders. Just as things are getting relaxed and romantic, the drip, drip, drip is heard. To prevent plans from being ruined on this romantic day, stop leaky faucets before they become a distraction. Here are a few tips from local plumbers to get started. 

Hidden Dangers of Leaky Faucets 

Apart from being a mood killer, a dripping faucet carries some important consequences that every homeowner wants to avoid. Among the complications of dripping faucets are the following: 

• High water bills from wasted water
• High environmental cost from wasted treated water
• Mold growth resulting from high moisture levels
• Staining and scaling of fixtures 
• Frustrating dripping noises
• Rust and corrosion on metal surfaces

Leaky faucets can be far more destructive and costly than expected. Conversely, they are usually quick and cheap to fix, so homeowners should work to address dripping faucets sooner rather than later. 

What Causes Leaky Faucets 

Faucets take a lot of abuse. Whether kitchen faucets are used every night for food prep and cleanup or bathroom faucets are used multiple times per day, the cumulative work can take its toll. 

The most common cause of leaky faucets is problems with the o-rings or faucet cartridges. A worn o-ring will cause water to leak around the faucet handle, while a bad cartridge will cause a drip from the faucet. These problems result from overuse and are typical in faucets after a few years. Luckily, the repairs for these problems are easy and can often be done by a savvy DIYer. 

Leaky Faucet Repair Tips 

Every faucet is different, so if homeowners are uncomfortable taking apart their faucet, there is always a professional who is only a phone call away. For those that wish to work on their own, faucets follow these general steps:

• Shut off the water at the cut-off valve below the sink
• Purge the faucet by opening the cold and hot water sides of the faucet
• Locate the set screws that hold the handles in place and remove them
• Remove handles and remove or unscrew the damaged valve cartridge
• Go to the hardware store and find an equivalent replacement
• Install new cartridge and valve seat
• Reinstall faucet handles and restore water service, checking for leaks

What Is About Plumbing Inc.?

About Plumbing Inc. is a local residential and commercial plumber with over 20 years of experience. Their expert technicians are ready to find fast and affordable solutions for leaky faucets so everyone can focus on what matters on Valentine’s Day. Call today for a trustworthy plumbing service in Jefferson County, MO.

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