Day: February 28, 2022

Is your faucet driving you nuts from its constant dripping? You’re not the only one! If you’re tired of hearing your faucet drip, the first step to fixing it is figuring out why it’s dripping in the first place. Below are some of the most common causes for faucet dripping.

What Causes a Leaky Faucet?

Leaky faucets are caused by a few very simple problems. It’s usually just wear and tear in one form or another.

A Worn Out Washer

In a compression faucet, every time you turn on the water, there’s friction between your faucet handle’s rubber washer and valve seat. This friction slowly wears away at the washer, making it harder for the washer to do its job. What is its job? Keeping the handle watertight. If the washer is worn through, there’s space for water to escape through the handle and drip down into the sink. This is fixed by replacing the old washer with a new one of the correct size.

Valve Seat Corrosion

The valve seat connects the spout and faucet. If the valve seat hasn’t been cleaned of sediment in a while, it’s possible that it’s begun to corrode. A corroded valve seat will present as leaking around the spout.

O Ring Problems

In cartridge faucets, regular use can wear out a piece called the O ring. This ring is located with the stem screw, which is what holds the faucet handle in place. A worn out O ring will cause leaking from the handle. If your handle is leaking water, you likely need to replace the O ring.

Why Do Dripping Faucets Need to Be Fixed?

Sure, listening to the faucet drip is bothersome, but is it really a big deal? The answer is yes. There are many reasons to fix a leaky faucet promptly. 

First off, leaks waste money. Even a slow leak can waste over a hundred gallons of water each month. That’s a lot of water doing absolutely nothing for you and your wallet.

Moisture from faucet dripping also attracts pests. From rodents to roaches, pests of all kinds need a source of water. Your leaky faucet could be just the thing that makes them decide to stay. After all, they can rely on that to keep them hydrated. To avoid being a pest hotel, it’s best to keep that water inside the pipes until you need it.

And, last but not least, drippy faucets are really annoying. If the money and risk of bugs isn’t enough, maybe the lost sleep will convince you. Quit losing rest at night while listening to the drip drip drip of your money going down the drain.

Get Help from POM Plumbing

If you need affordable, friendly, plumbing help, POM Plumbing is the place to call. Not only is keeping your faucet from dripping better for your home and sanity, it’s a quick fix that a professional can have done in minutes. Give us a call if you need faucet maintenance.

Are you struggling with low water pressure in only one bathroom? If so, you’ve probably been scratching your head wondering why on Earth this is even happening. There are a few things that can cause this, and POM Plumbing is here to help you get to the bottom of it.

What Causes Low Water Pressure?

Low water pressure in a home can be caused by a variety of issues, ranging from simple fixes to more complex plumbing problems. Identifying the root cause is essential for resolving the issue effectively. Here’s a table summarizing the common causes of low water pressure:

Cause	Description
Clogged Pipes	Accumulation of sediment or debris can block water flow, reducing pressure.
Corroded Plumbing	Over time, pipes, especially older ones made of galvanized steel, can corrode internally, restricting water flow.
Partially Closed Main Shutoff Valve	If the main water valve is not fully open, it can restrict the flow of water into the home.
Faulty Pressure Regulator	A malfunctioning pressure regulator can cause a sudden change in water pressure.
High Demand Within the Home	Simultaneous use of water by multiple fixtures can exceed the system’s capacity to maintain pressure.
Leaking Pipes	Water leaks in the system can divert water away from where it’s needed, leading to lower pressure.
Municipal Water Supply Issues	Problems with the local water supply, such as broken mains or adjustments at the water source, can affect pressure.
Elevation	Homes located at a higher elevation than the water source may experience lower pressure due to gravity.
Peak Usage Times	Water pressure can drop during times of high demand in the community, such as early mornings and evenings.

To diagnose and fix low water pressure, it may be necessary to inspect the plumbing system, check with neighbors or the local water utility for external issues, and possibly consult a professional plumber for repairs or adjustments.

Sediment Buildup

One of the first things that can cause low water pressure in only one bathroom is sediment buildup. This is especially common if the affected bathroom is on the bottom floor.

If your home has, or has ever had, hard water, there’s sediment and little bits of metal in it. These things may not be visible at a glance, but you can probably taste them in your tap. Furthermore, they can build up over years of running that water. If that sediment builds up in your pipes or in your faucet, water will have a hard time getting through. This can lead to low water pressure, or small streams of water that are higher water pressure than they should be. 

Closed Valve

It may seem obvious, but sometimes the culprit is a closed valve. “I’ve checked the valve!” you may say. And we believe you! Sometimes valves are damaged or installed incorrectly, making them appear open when they’re really closed. If you checked by sight and didn’t fiddle with the valve handle, try turning it and see if it fixes the problem.

Broken Valve

If your valve is simply not affecting the water flow, it’s most certainly broken. In all likelihood, it broke sometime when the valve was partially or completely closed and it never got fixed. Therefore, the bathroom was left with little to no water flow. Having the valve replaced should fix the problem.

Water Flow Restrictor

In many homes, water flow restrictors have been put in place. While many modern retrofits increase water pressure to make up for the lower amount of water, many older models of restrictors simply limit the water. This can mean water coming out at basically a trickle.

If your water is being restricted in an unsuitable way, this can be solved by removing the water flow restrictor. Replacing it with a modern retrofit is ideal for saving water and, therefore, money. However, it’s not strictly necessary. 

Get Professional Help

When facing Toronto water pressure, it’s essential to act quickly and find a reliable plumber who can perform water pressure repair services. If you’re not up to the task of sleuthing out the issue, POM Plumbing’s team of experts can do it for you. We help with water pressure issues (if you have problems with mixing valve shower adjustment or etc.) all the time, from residential to high rise scale. Give us a call and we’ll be out as soon as we can to help get your bathroom back into working order.