The “drip-drip-drip” of a leaking faucet can keep you awake at night, and not just because of the sound. The EPA estimates that household leaks account for 1 trillion gallons of lost water each year in the United States. Not only can that little leak cost you big in the form of high water bills, but it can also waste one of the earth’s most precious resources. Here’s how you can temporarily stop the dripping until your plumber arrives to fix it for good.
What causes leaking faucets?
Several potential culprits could be causing your faucet to leak. If you have a cartridge faucet, regular wear and tear over time can cause damage to the cartridge. Faulty seals can also cause leaking, and fixing the problem could be as simple as replacing them. If you notice the faucet leaks only at certain times, a water pressure issue might be the problem.
Shutting down a leaky sink faucet
You called a plumber, but how can you stop a leaking faucet in the meantime? The quickest and easiest way is to turn off its water supply. To do this, you’ll need to find the shutoff valves for the faucet. Sink faucet shutoff valves are usually located beneath the sink, somewhere near the P-trap. Depending on your bathroom configuration, these may be inside of a cabinet or may be exposed. You should see separate knobs for hot and cold water. Turn both of them all the way until they are off.
Stopping a leaky tub or shower faucet
Finding the shutoff valves for bathtubs and showers can be a little trickier. They are often located inside the wall behind the tub or shower. Look around for an access panel you can remove to get to these valves. Once you access them, turn off both the hot and cold valves.
The water valves can be turned back on as needed, but at least your leaking faucet won’t lose as much water when you’re not using it. In the meantime, call your plumber if you haven’t done so already. A professional can let you know whether your leak requires a quick repair or you need a new faucet.
It’s best to save the repair work for the pros. Though some leaking faucets are fairly simple to repair, a DIY job done wrong could lead to bigger and more expensive issues. If you’re dealing with leaks or any other plumbing problems, contact the experts at The Pink Plumber today for more information.
