The average household’s leaky sink wastes 10,000 gallons of water each year. Some leaky sinks can waste up to 90 gallons of water per day. Now that’s a lot of wasted water and potential water damage.

If you’re tired of hearing that constant drip, drip, drip noise all night long, it’s time for a simple solution. Knowing several common reasons for leaky sink can save you hundreds of dollars a year on your water bill and in professional repairs.

Read on to learn more about what causes leaky sinks and what you can do to prevent them.

Damaged O-Ring and Gaskets

An O-ring is a small disc placed around the screw that holds the faucet handle in place. Over time, they can wear out or become damaged. If an O-ring fails you’ll notice a leaking faucet.

Fixing this problem is simple. Install a new O-ring by removing the faucet base and replacing the damaged O-ring with a new one.

Gaskets are similar to O-rings and sit between unions in your sink. They can fail or corrode and cause leaks between two connecting parts. These can be simple to replace but often require professional assistance.

Worn-Out Washers

Every time you use your faucet, pressure is placed on the washer set against a valve seat. This constant wear and tear will eventually cause the washer to fail. You’ll most likely notice leaks coming from the faucet spout.

Worn-out washers are one of the most common reasons sinks leak and are one of the easiest problems to fix. Washers should be replaced when you notice a leak and care should be taken to ensure the replacement is the right size and is seated snugly.

Loose Water Supply Connection

Constant dripping underneath your sink could indicate a loose connection with the water supply line. Many sinks will have more than one connection, so it’s best to check all of them even if one is leaking.

Corrosion is a major cause of many severe leaks around the water supply connection and requires professional assistance. Smaller leaks should only need the connection tightened to seal the pipe. If you have the right tools for the job, this is a simple fix you can do yourself.

Clogged P-Trap

A P-trap is the curved section of pipe found underneath a sink. Leaky sinks caused by a clog in the P-trap can take longer to notice as the pipe is usually hidden from sight.

Pieces of food, dirt, and other gunk tend to gather in the bend and can prevent water from draining properly. While this might not cause a leak immediately, it can cause larger problems over time.

As a result, it’s important to periodically check underneath your sink to ensure the P-trap isn’t leaking.

Got Leaky Sink Problems?

Leaky sinks can get complicated, especially when you need a faucet replacement and plumbing maintenance. That’s why you need a team of seasoned professionals to ensure your leaky sink doesn’t become a plumbing catastrophe.

Contact us today to schedule maintenance, repairs, or installations for all of your residential, commercial, or industrial needs.