A leaky faucet can cause more than just annoyance. Unaddressed, a drip can lead to much bigger plumbing issues and waste hundreds of gallons of water per year. Knowing how to diagnose common faucet leaks can help you identify and fix problems early. With some basic knowledge and a few tools, you can troubleshoot most leaky faucet issues yourself.
Signs of a Leaky Faucet
Here are some telltale signs that your faucet may be leaking:
Dripping Water
The most obvious sign is water dripping from the faucet, even when the faucet is completely turned off. This indicates worn washers or seals inside the faucet that need to be replaced.
Increased Water Bill
A significant, unexplained spike in your water bill can indicate a leak. Faucet leaks are often silent, so you may not see or hear water escaping. Even small drips can waste dozens of gallons per day.
Rust Stains
Rust-colored stains around the faucet spout or handle are a sign of small water leaks. The leaking water causes metal components to corrode.
Eroded Sink/Basin
If you notice erosion, pits, or grooves in the sink basin near the faucet, this points to a leak. Prolonged water exposure damages sink materials over time.
Condensation Buildup
Excess moisture or water droplets around or under the faucet may signal a hidden leak. Slow drips inside the faucet assembly can lead to condensation on the exterior.
Locating the Source of the Leak
Once you confirm a faucet leak, the next step is pinpointing where the water is coming from. This allows you to focus repair efforts in the right place. Start by thoroughly inspecting the faucet interior and exterior.
Examine the Faucet Exterior
Look closely at the faucet spout and handle connections, as well as the base where the faucet mounts to the sink. Signs of moisture or corrosion indicate the source of the leak.
Remove the Faucet Handle
Take off the faucet handle and inspect for moisture or buildup. Water inside the handle assembly means worn washers or seals.
Check Under the Sink
Look beneath the sink at all water supply connections. Tighten fittings or replace leaking supply hoses. Wet spots indicate problems.
Test with Food Coloring
Place a few drops of food coloring in the faucet base. If color appears in the toilet bowl, the source is an interior leak in the faucet assembly.
Common Causes of Faucet Leaks
Knowing what typically causes faucet leaks allows you to address the root issue during repairs. Here are some of the most common causes:
Worn Washers/Seals
Rubber or plastic washers and O-rings provide watertight seals inside faucets. Over time, they harden and lose effectiveness, resulting in drips and leaks around the faucet handle.
Damaged Valve Seats/Springs
Faucet valves control water flow and mixing. Mineral deposits and wear can damage the valve seat surface or weaken the spring, preventing a complete seal. Leaks form as a result.
Loose/Corroded Connections
Loose mounting nuts under the sink or corroded threads on supply lines and fittings create gaps for water to escape. Proper tightening or replacing damaged parts will stop leaks.
Pinhole Leaks in Hoses
Flexible supply hoses can develop tiny pinhole leaks over time. The constant water pressure causes the rubber to degrade. Replacing old hoses prevents bursts or ruptures.
Worn Spout Seals
Faucet spouts have O-rings or other seals where they join to the faucet body. Leaks form if these seals get nicked, cracked, or worn. Removing and replacing the seals is required to stop drips.
Diagnosing the Leak Type
Faucet leaks typically fall into one of three categories, each with distinct troubleshooting steps:
Leaks Around the Handle
Water escaping around the faucet handle is often due to worn washers or seals inside the handle assembly. Removing the handle and replacing the neoprene seals is the common fix.
Leaks Around the Spout
Drips coming from the spout-faucet body joint indicate damaged spout O-rings. Replacing the seals and tightening the spout coupling will stop water escaping from this area.
Leaks Under the Sink
Leaks originating from below the sink are usually caused by loose connections, damaged supply hoses, or deteriorated washers in the faucet valves. Inspect all plumbing parts under the sink to identify the problem area.
Properly diagnosing the leak type helps you focus repair efforts on the damaged components responsible for the drip. Attempting repairs without this diagnosis can lead to frustration, wasted time and money on unnecessary parts.
Tools for Diagnosing Faucet Leaks
A few basic tools can help you inspect, disassemble, and repair leaky faucets:
- Basin Wrench – Loosens nuts to remove faucet from sink
- Adjustable Wrench – Grips fittings and nuts during disassembly
- Screwdriver – Removes handles and dislodges components
- Flashlight – Illuminates dark areas under sink during inspection
- Bucket – Catches water during faucet disassembly
- Plumber’s Grease – Lubricates parts during reassembly
A basin wrench, in particular, helps you access the difficult-to-reach mounting nuts securing the faucet base. Investing in quality tools goes a long way toward easier repairs.
Steps for Diagnosing and Fixing Leaks
Follow these general steps when diagnosing and repairing a leaky faucet:
- Turn off water supply – Prevent leaks during repair by shutting off the water under the sink or at the main shutoff valve.
- Inspect exterior – Look for moisture, corrosion, damage around spout and handles. This helps identify the leak location.
- Remove handle – Take off the faucet handle and check for water inside. Assess washers/seals for wear.
- Check under sink – Examine supply hoses, valves, nuts for tightness and damage.
- Test with food coloring – Place drops in the faucet base to check for interior leaks.
- Diagnose leak type – Determine if the leak is around the handle, spout, or under the sink.
- Disassemble – Take apart necessary components to access sealing washers, O-rings, valves.
- Replace parts – Install new seals, washers, valves, supply hoses as needed.
- Reassemble – Put faucet back together, lubricating parts as you go.
- Test water flow – Confirm leaks stopped before fully reopening water.
Thoroughly diagnosing the leak saves time and frustration compared to random disassembly and parts replacement. Following these general guidelines helps pinpoint faucet leak locations and causes for permanent repairs.
Common Questions About Diagnosing Faucet Leaks
What are some early signs of a faucet leak?
Early signs include a sporadic drip, increased condensation around the faucet, a faint flow of water after shutting off the faucet, and premature corrosion of metal faucet components. Addressing minor leaks quickly prevents more significant damage.
Where do I start when diagnosing the source of a faucet leak?
Start by inspecting the exterior faucet for drips, moisture, and corrosion. Check the spout connection, handle bases, and sink mounting area. This helps reveal the general leak location so you can focus your repair efforts.
Why does my water bill go up when there is a leak?
Even small faucet leaks that drip slowly can waste hundreds of gallons per month. The water meter still registers all this flowing water, even though it may not be visible. Your bill spikes as a result of the undetected leak.
What are some reasons why my faucet might leak from the handle?
Leaks around the handle are most often due to worn washers or seals inside the handle assembly. Mineral deposits can also damage internal seals over time. Replacing these parts typically fixes handle leaks.
How can I find leaks under the sink?
Inspect all water supply connections under the sink for moisture or corrosion. Tighten any loose fitting. Also look for pinhole leaks in supply hoses. Problems under the sink usually relate to deteriorated or loose plumbing connections.
When should I call for professional help with a faucet leak?
If disassembling the faucet proves very difficult, or you need to cut water lines to remove the faucet, it may be best to call a plumber. Complex faucet and sink installations often require a professional.
Is it worth fixing a leak myself or just replacing the faucet?
Generally, it is cheaper to replace internal seals and washers than install an entirely new faucet. However, if the faucet is very old, replacement parts may be hard to find or the damage may be beyond repair.
Key Takeaways: Diagnosing Faucet Leaks
- Unfixed faucet leaks lead to corrosion, sink damage, and high water bills.
- Inspect for drips, moisture, erosion to identify leak locations.
- Common causes include worn washers, damaged valves, loose connections.
- Diagnose whether the leak is around the handle, spout, or under the sink.
- Use basic tools to disassemble and inspect internal faucet parts.
- Replace damaged seals, supply hoses, and other components as needed.
- Take time to properly diagnose the leak source before attempting repairs.
Thoroughly investigating the cause of a leaky faucet and making targeted fixes can help resolve issues and prevent future leakage. With some DIY troubleshooting, most common faucet leaks can be repaired without replacing the entire unit. Proper diagnosis saves time, money, and hassle.