A leaking faucet is not only annoying, but it can also cost you money by increasing water bills. Leaks may also cause damage to your home, including the growth of mold and mildew in your bathroom and kitchen. That's why timely faucet repairs are crucial to stop more serious effects from occurring. The following are a few common causes of leaks, so you can locate the right plumbing supplies to tackle the job. 

Why Is My Faucet Leaking?

1. Worn Washers

Leaks that happen when the faucet is in the off position usually mean the washer has been damaged or worn. In fact, worn washers are among the most common causes of faucet leaks in compression faucets. The washer is pressed against the faucet seat every time the handles are turned, which causes it to wear down over time. Fortunately, washers are inexpensive to buy and easy to replace.

2. Corroded Valve Seat

If your faucet continues to drip even after you've replaced the washers, the valve seat may be to blame. If the valve seat becomes corroded, which can occur when you have mineral-rich water in your home, it will continually leak from the spout. 

In this case, you have two options. You can replace the entire faucet or just the valve seat itself. If you go with the latter option, you'll need a special tool called a seat wrench to extract the valve seat. If you can't remove the valve seat and don't want to replace the entire faucet, you can also use a seat sleeve to create a tighter seal around the old valve seat. 

3. O-Ring Issues

O-rings are circular pieces of rubber that are attached to the set screw within a faucet's handle. Like washers, o-rings wear down due to repeated use. O-ring leaks are only a problem if you have a cartridge faucet. If you replace the o-ring but find the faucet continues to leak, you may need to replace the cartridge itself. 

Determining the cause of faucet leaks is only the first step. Next, you must purchase quality plumbing supplies to repair or replace fixtures. In Washington, IN, homeowners look to A & R Home Center for all the essential home supplies they need to perform repairs and replacements. More than just a hardware store, these professionals are always ready with advice on how to troubleshoot problems and perform repairs. They even employ a team of plumbers, HVAC techs, and electricians to perform work accurately and efficiently when you don't feel like going the DIY route. Call (812) 254-7018 today for more information. You can also check out their selection of plumbing supplies online.