Although it may not appear to be much of an issue, those small and regular drips can quickly add up. Not only do dripping faucets corrode your fixtures and cause unsightly staining, but they also waste hundreds of gallons of water in one year! To aid both the environment and your wallet, take a look into what's causing the problem so you can put a stop to that pesky drip once and for all.

Leakages are not sudden events, even though they may seem so. Your faucet goes through a lot of wear and tear over time and is used repeatedly in your home - it is only natural for parts to start wearing out eventually! So how do you know which part needs replacement? Is it the washer, seal, or something else entirely?

If you haven't already, take a few moments to inspect the washers on your sink now. Worn-out washers are often the cause of leaky faucets. However, if that's not it, then there may be something else at fault - and where better to start than in an area you're least likely to look?

Think about the screw that holds your faucet in place; its companion is known as an O-ring. An old or loose o-ring can lead to water seeping out near your handle. Therefore, checking this particular component should be one of your top priorities!

Imagine your faucet's build, is it a disc or compression model? If you have the former, sediment buildup may hurt the seals over time. On the other hand, if yours is of the latter type, examine whether its valve seat has corroded—the component linking the spout to the faucet that can suffer from erosion due to dirt particles. Do you see any leaks near your spout? It could be because of this very issue!

Taking the first step and pinpointing the source of your leak is a great start to getting rid of that pesky dripping faucet. But, selecting an appropriate replacement part for your specific model can be quite tricky. Don't worry though — you might find assistance on the manufacturer's website in identifying parts suitable for repair.

If you're about to embark on a plumbing project in unfamiliar territory, call the experts at Duncan Plumbing Solutions first. Our licensed plumbers can guide you through the tricky waters of faucet manufacturers and assemblies, as well as replacements. Let us be your go-to resource for all your leaky faucet repairs.