Enjoy Clean, Clear Water with Faucet Repair and Installation
Faucets can be found in your bathroom, kitchen, laundry room and other parts of your home. Wherever they are, they provide a steady supply of potable water. When something goes wrong, tasks such as cooking and cleaning can become more difficult.
Luckily, faucet repair can be something you can perform on your own. But when it’s beyond your skill to fix, a trained plumber can identify what the problem is and what component of the faucet is broken so repairs can begin. When you don’t feel comfortable attempting this kind of home improvement on your own, don’t hesitate to contact a professional plumber, like those at Teays Valley Service Experts. With special tools and years of training, they can ensure a long-term solution to your faucet problem.
We’d like to share some of the most common problems you may come across with your faucets. We’ll also provide information on finding the source of the problem and what may be needed to complete repairs.
Common Faucet Problems
Your faucets are connected to your home’s water supply lines. When they break or malfunction, you may not be able to get the water you need. Or worse, the water is no longer safe or healthy to drink.
Leaky Faucet
Leaky faucets are one of the most common problems you will come across with your home plumbing. Whether it’s a leaky faucet or a wasteful stream of water, leaks can increase your monthly water bill. Depending on how much water is leaking, it can even cause water damage!
Leaky faucet repair is generally fast and inexpensive. A professional plumber will identify the part causing the leak before either fixing or replacing it for proper water flow.
Missing Hot or Cold Water
Your faucets deliver both hot and cold water. Adjusting the temperature is typically dependent on the faucet’s design, with models featuring either one or two handles. Fixing the handle can often resolve the issue.
But if your problem has a lack of hot water, there may be a more serious problem. This can be a sign your water heater is damaged, in which case a professional plumber should be called.
Poor Water Pressure
The opposite of a leak, a faulty faucet can decrease water pressure or even stop the flow of water entirely. Not only is this frustrating, but the added pressure can cause other problems deeper in your plumbing system.
How your plumber resolves water flow problems will require knowing what type of faucet you’re using. Sometimes taking care of the issue is as straightforward as cleaning the affected component. Other issues can be traced to the seal that separates your faucet from the water supply.
Keep in mind that this doesn’t happen too often. So when the faucet isn’t to blame, your plumber will look for other issues like corroded pipes and clogs (as these also cause the water pressure to fall). Even partially closed valves will drop the water pressure, resulting in weak flow.
What to Know About Faucet Repair
Once it’s verified there’s a problem with your faucet, there’s a few more pieces of information that can simplify repairs. Remember that serious or widespread damage may make new faucet installation a more cost-effective option. Otherwise, it won’t be long before you’re forced to deal with another plumbing problem.
1. Determine the Type of Faucet
Effective repairs begin with confirming the type of faucet you use. This doesn’t mean whether it’s a kitchen faucet or a bathroom faucet, but what internal components are in place to deliver potable water. Our plumbers have enough experience with different faucet types that they can recognize yours quickly, starting repairs sooner.
- Compression Faucet: This design is the oldest type of faucet still in widespread use today. It relies on a rubber washer and two handles to provide adequate water of the correct temperature.
- Cartridge Faucet: Available in both one- and two-handle designs. A single-lever design controls water flow by raising and lowering the valve within the handle.
- Ball Faucet: The most common type of single-lever faucet. As the lever moves, a plastic or metal ball shifts within the faucet, allowing water to flow. Small chambers inside the ball combine hot and cold water to provide the desired temperature.
- Ceramic Disk Faucet: Another single-lever design sometimes confused for a ball faucet. These models use a valve more similar to a cartridge faucet, raised and lowered to provide water flow. By comparison, a ball faucet moves in any direction.
2. Shut Off the Water Before Finding the Affected Part
Once they know what type of faucet you have, the plumber’s next step is to pinpoint where the problem starts. Most designs are split into two sections, the faucet body and one or two faucet handles. Knowing the type of problem they’re dealing with can simplify repairs.
Whatever the problem may be, taking apart the faucet is often a part of repairs. A quality repair kit should include tools like slip joint pliers or a basin wrench for reaching the internal components.
3. Confirm Whether a Part Needs Cleaning or Replacement
Sometimes a problem can be fixed by simply reaching the affected component and cleaning it thoroughly. But if the component is cracked or broken, replacing it is usually better. These small pieces aren’t expensive, so don’t worry about the cost of a new part for the spout, O-ring or any washers.
This may be more difficult for special faucets, such as an outdoor garden hose.
Consider a Professional for Faucet Installation
Sometimes the damage is too severe, or maybe you just don’t have a lot of DIY skills. Whatever the reason, there’s nothing wrong with calling a professional. They can remove the old faucet and quickly install your preferred replacement.
Whether you need faucet repair or faucet installation, the professionals at Teays Valley Service Experts can help. We’ll ensure an affordable solution that doesn’t cost you everything but the kitchen sink.
Request an appointment or free estimate by getting in touch online or over the phone at 304-760-5088 today!