Why faucets drip: cartridge, ball and compression designs
What happens inside depends on the design. Older compression faucets have separate hot and cold handles that screw down onto a rubber washer. When the washer hardens or the seat it presses against wears, the faucet drips from the spout. Single-handle faucets use a cartridge or a ball assembly instead, and a drip there usually means the cartridge or its seals have worn out.
Knowing which type you have saves time and money. A compression faucet often needs only a washer and seat, while a cartridge faucet needs the right replacement cartridge for that model. If the faucet is dated and parts are scarce, a new one is often the more sensible route.
Aerators, scale and hard water
The small screen at the tip of the spout is the aerator. It mixes air into the stream and catches debris. When it clogs, the stream turns sideways, sputters or weakens, and many people assume the faucet is failing when only the aerator needs cleaning. Unscrew it, rinse out the grit and soak it in vinegar if it is crusted.
Hard water is common across the Salt Lake Valley, and it leaves white scale on spouts, handles and inside valves. Scale can make handles stiff and shorten the life of a cartridge. You can look up the hardness of your own supply in your water utility's published water quality report. If scale keeps returning, a water softener may be worth considering.
Shutoff valves and supply lines
Under every sink are two small shutoff valves and two supply lines running up to the faucet. They matter more than they look. If a shutoff valve will not close completely, or it leaks when turned, you cannot work on the faucet safely, and a valve that has not moved in years can break when forced.
- Dampness or mineral crust at a valve stem or compression nut.
- A valve handle that spins freely or will not turn at all.
- Braided or flexible lines that are kinked, bulging or rusted at the ends.
- Water that keeps running at the faucet even with the valves closed.
- Replacing a faucet is a good moment to replace both valves and lines too.
Kitchen, bathroom and outdoor faucets
Kitchen faucets work hardest. They have pull-down or pull-out sprayers, heavier use and larger sink holes, so the hoses and diverter inside wear sooner. Bathroom faucets are lighter duty, but the pop-up drain assembly attached to many of them is another place where leaks start. When you shop for a replacement, check how many holes your sink or countertop has and what the faucet requires.
Outdoor hose bibs are a different story, because Utah winters can freeze and split them. A hose bib that drips from the handle can have a worn packing nut, while water inside the house wall after a freeze is a serious sign. Disconnect hoses before cold weather, and shut off and drain any interior supply to the bib if it has its own valve.
What replacing a faucet involves
The work looks quick, but it depends on access. Removing the old faucet in a cramped cabinet, dealing with corroded nuts and fitting the new supply lines take time and the right tools. A technician will shut off the water, remove the old faucet, clean the mounting surface, install the new one and test every connection for leaks.
- Shut off the supply valves and open the faucet to drain the lines.
- Disconnect the old supply lines and remove the mounting hardware.
- Set the new faucet and secure it from below.
- Connect new supply lines, then turn the water back on slowly.
- Run hot and cold, check each joint and flush the aerator.
Why call Rocket
Rocket Plumbing is a locally owned father-and-sons team in West Jordan, and faucets are among the fixtures it repairs and installs. Regular hours run Monday through Friday, 7am to 5pm.
Frequently asked questions
Is a dripping faucet worth fixing?
Usually yes. A steady drip wastes water and keeps wearing the part that causes it. Repair is often a modest job, though an old or corroded faucet may be better replaced.
Why is water spraying sideways from my faucet?
A clogged aerator is the usual cause. Unscrew the tip, rinse out the debris and soak it in vinegar if scale has built up. If the spray stays uneven, the faucet may need work.
How do I know if I have a cartridge or compression faucet?
Compression faucets have two handles that tighten as you turn them off. Single-handle faucets, and many two-handle ones that turn a quarter or half turn, use a cartridge. The model number helps identify it.
Should I replace the shutoff valves when I replace a faucet?
It is a good idea when they are old, stiff or crusty. They are cheap to replace while the area is open and awkward to reach later.
Why does my outdoor spigot leak inside the wall?
A freeze can crack the pipe behind the hose bib, so water escapes only when the spigot is in use. If you see water inside the house when the hose is running, shut it off and call.
