Understanding the Most Common Water Faucet Problems

A water faucet plays a vital role in households and businesses by providing access to water. However, they undergo a lot of wear and tear during daily use. Some common problems that can occur include:

• Rust and corrosion
• Low water pressure
• Leaks
• Sticky handles
• No water flow
• Dripping
• Installation issues
• Faulty sprayers

Understanding the reasons behind these problems allows us to fix them quickly. Ignoring faucet problems can lead to mold, damage to plumbing, flooding, and very high water bills. Being able to do basic repairs also saves the cost of hiring a plumber.

This article will provide a detailed overview of the most widespread faucet issues, their causes, solutions, prevention tips, and when professional help is needed.

1. Faucet Rust & Corrosion

Rust and corrosion on water faucet occur due to:

• Exposure to water and moisture, especially leaks
• Minerals in water supplies reacting with metal
• Old metal pipes
• Harsh cleaning products stripping protective finishes

Here is how to remove rust and prevent further corrosion:

Cleaning Rust and Corrosion

Stainless steel faucets:

• Mix baking soda and water into a paste and scrub on rusted areas
• Use a sponge and white vinegar, then rinse
• Try a stainless steel cleaner/polish and buff the spots

Chrome faucets:

• Rub very fine steel wool on affected areas
• Use a chrome polish/cleaner designed for bathroom fixtures

Mineral deposits:

• Mix lemon juice and baking soda into a paste
• Apply paste on deposits overnight if needed
• Scrub off deposits in the morning

Preventing Rust & Corrosion

• Install filters to remove minerals from hard water
• Frequently dry sinks near faucets to avoid moisture damage
• Use protective wax or rubbing compound on surface
• Replace worn pipes and fittings that may leak
• Avoid letting cleaning products sit too long on fixtures

If the corrosion is occurring inside pipes, replacement of affected pipes/faucet may be needed.

2. Low Water Pressure from the Faucet

Insufficient water flow can make everyday kitchen and bath tasks very frustrating. Common reasons for low faucet pressure include:

Buildup of sediment and minerals

• Hard water rich in minerals like calcium and magnesium carbonate
• Particles collect over time and clog aerator, pipes, fittings

Partially closed supply valve

• The valve is not fully rotated to the open position

Leakages

• Leaks along the supply lines reduce pressure

Old galvanized pipes

• Accumulated internal corrosion narrows the pipe opening

Shared plumbing fixtures

• Simultaneous use causes pressure drops

City water supply issues

• Problems with main lines affect whole areas

Solutions for Low Water Pressure

1. Clean the aerator
   • Unscrew the aerator at the tip of the faucet spout
   • Remove deposits and sediment
   • Replace worn washers/screens
2. Check if supply valves are fully open
   • Locate the shutoff valves connected to supply lines under the sink
   • Use a screwdriver to loosen and tighten valves
3. Inspect pipes and supply lines
   • Check for leaks, kinks, cracks requiring repair/replacement
   • Replace old galvanized steel pipes if needed
4. Test pressure at other faucets
   • Determines if problem is isolated or home-wide
   • Contact city if all fixtures have low pressure
5. Install a booster pump
   • Affordable pumps that maintain pressure
   • Good solution for chronic low pressure

Call a plumber if pressure issues persist after trying the above solutions. A plumber can measure flow rates, diagnose issues in main home supply lines, and may recommend repiping if very old corroded plumbing exists.

3. Leaks from the Handle or Around the Spout Base

Water leaks from faucets can gradually cause water damage. Typical causes include:

Damaged O-rings/Valve Seats

• Rubber O-rings degrade over time
• Valve seats also crack leading to leaks

Loose Base Connections

• Improper installation allows spout bases to detach
• Creates gaps for water to escape from supply lines

Worn-Out Cartridges/Washers

• Moving cartridge components wear out
• Neoprene/nylon washers warp or tear over time

Loose Handles

• If handles are not securely fastened, vibrations loosening bolts holding parts together

Identifying Leaks

Look for –

• Visible water or moisture around base of spout, handle
• Dripping sound when faucet is on
• Higher than normal water bills

Fixing Minor Leaks

1. Replace O-rings/washers
   • Locate rings around cartridges or where handles attach
   • Remove worn rings/washers, bring to hardware store for replacement
2. Remove handles/spout
   • Use screwdriver to remove parts to check interior
   • Tighten loose screws around base
3. Replace leaky components
   • Install drip-free replacement cartridges
   • Replace supply lines/hoses if worn or cracked
4. Re-install spout/handles
5. Test newly installed parts for leaks

Preventing Leaks

• Periodically inspect visible gaskets and supply lines under sink for cracks
• Always turn off water supply valves before repairs
• Replace very old faucets over 10-15 years old
• Avoid over-tightening handles/spout or forcing movement

When to Call a Plumber

For leaks originating behind walls or under sinks, as specialized tools and piping expertise is needed to reach hidden supply lines and make repairs.

4. A Sticky, Hard-to-Turn Faucet Handle

It is very frustrating when faucet handles become difficult to rotate smoothly. Stickiness is usually caused by:

Mineral deposits

• Hard water rich in calcium and magnesium leading to limescale buildup

Rust/Corrosion

• Rust crowds internal spaces making parts grind

Plastic/metal burrs

• Normal wear-and-tear from metal components rubbing creates debris

Too much packing string/worn gasket

• Excessive string or worn seals add friction

Solutions for Sticky Handles

1. Faucet handle remover
   • Special pliers that help loosen stuck round handles
2. Vinegar soak
   • Submerge stuck interior parts overnight in vinegar
   • Helps dissolve mineral deposits
3. Clean/file rough edges
   • Smooth burrs around stem using metal file
   • Remove gunk and particles
4. Replace seals & o-rings
   • Lubricate components to make turning easier
5. Install ball-style faucet
   • Single part is easier to maintain than cartridges

Prevention

• Wipe handles dry after sink use
• Occasionally rotate handles fully on and off
• Use water filtration system if water supply has heavy minerals

Replacing very old faucets with new leak-free ones with lifetime finish warranties can be easier than constantly taking apart old valves and stems for repairs.

5. No Water Coming from the Faucet

Lack of water flow can have these causes:

Clogged aerator or pipes

• Hard water mineral deposits block openings

Broken inlet tubes

• Inlet tubes connecting supply lines corrode and crack

Malfunctioning valves

• Issues with individual fixture valves or main shut-off valves

Frozen pipes

• Very cold weather causes water in pipes to freeze – most common cause of winter flow issues

Power outage

• Well water systems require power to pump water

City water service disruption

• Construction accidents sometimes disrupt water mains

Fixing No Water Issues

1. Remove and clean aerators and filters
   • Dissolve and rinse out any debris clogging small openings of aerator screen
2. Check inlet tubes
   • Examine inlet tubes under the sink that connect supply lines to faucet for cracks requiring replacement
3. Test valves
   • Examine both fixture shutoff valves and main water supply valve for correct positioning
   • Check with property maintenance that main valve for home/building is working
4. Consider recent weather issues
   • For homes on well water, verify that power is available to run the well pump
   • Check with the city for any reported frozen main breaks
5. Look for visible plumbing leaks
   • Leaks along supply lines to faucet can reduce pressure
   • Listen for running water indicating serious leaks

When to Call a Plumber

If the issue persists after trying the above steps, professional assistance may be needed to measure water pressure in pipes, test valves, repipe damaged plumbing, or otherwise get water flowing again.

6. Dripping Faucet (a.k.a Water Torture!)

The sound of constantly dripping water can make anyone crazy. Common reasons are –

Faulty washers or o-rings

• Rubber washers and o-rings degrade over time due to mineral deposits and wear-and-tear

Dirt or debris

• Particles interrupting a tight valve seal

Too much packing string

• Excessive string makes valve opening too narrow for tight seal

Loose/damaged interior parts

• Interior cartridge components becoming misaligned over time so the valve cannot fully close

High water pressure

• Excess pressure can push past valves not designed for it

Fixing a dripping faucet

1. Fully turn handles on and off
   • Debris dislodging may stop drips
2. Replace washers and o-rings
   • Unscrew top of faucet to access interior valve parts
   • Swap out worn rubber pieces
3. Adjust/replace packing string
   • Add/remove string rings to optimize pressure
4. Clean valve seats
   • Remove limescale and sediment with stiff brush or vinegar
5. Consider updating outdated faucet

Prevention

• Periodically wipe down sink area and faucet to remove grime
• Have plumber measure water pressure and add pressure reducing valve if very high
• Avoid slamming/banging handles which can loosen internal parts
• Replace washers, o-rings, cartridges regularly

Many faucet companies now offer lifetime drip-free warranties – new faucets may be easier than constantly taking old valves apart.

7. Faucet Installation Problems

Installing a new faucet has a few key steps – overlooking any of them can lead to problems like leaks or restricted motion. Issues faced include:

Improper seal at base

• Gaps between bottom faucet surface and sink due to uneven application of plumber’s putty

Misaligned sprayer hose

• Kinks or incorrect installation of the pull-out hose underneath restricts range of motion

Forgetting gaskets

• Lack of proper insulation gaskets between faucet and sink surface leads to leaks

Uneven tightening of nuts

• Over or under-tightening fixing nuts underneath leads to instability

Failure to secure supply lines

• Allows hoses to sag and wear from abrasion against cabinet walls

Tips for Proper Faucet Installation

1. Prepare the sink
   • Clean sink surface for good adherence
   • Ensure existing holes/spacing match faucet
2. Apply plumber’s putty
   • Roll out putty rope along base in consistent thickness
   • Ensure tight seal all around
3. Insert fittings & fasten nuts
   • Hand tighten nuts first for snug fit
   • Finish tightening with wrench
4. Connect and position sprayer hose
   • Avoid kinks and enable full range of pull-out motion
5. Attach supply lines
   • Verify no leaks once water is turned back on
   • Secure supply hoses neatly to prevent sagging
6. Run water & check
   • Carefully check for drips which indicate gaps
   • Tighten nuts further if required

Getting professional installation is strongly recommended if unsure. Failing to properly anchor faucets can lead to instability over time plus leaks causing sink and cabinet damage.

8. Faulty Faucet Sprayer

Faucet sprayers that detach from the faucet or fail to spray water have issues like:

Misaligned pull-out hose

• Kinks underneath sink prevent smooth range of motion

Damaged O-rings

• Enable water to leak out from wand connection point

Clogged sprayer nozzle

• Hard water mineral deposits block nozzle openings

Worn-out diverter

• Internal mixer valve directing flow to sprayer or main faucet fails

Solutions

1. Straighten sprayer hose
   • Adjust hose position to prevent tight bends
2. Replace O-rings
   • Obtain replacement rubber O-rings of correct size
   • Lubricate and properly seat them
3. Clean sprayer nozzle
   • Soak entire sprayer head in white vinegar/lime deposit cleaner
   • Use small brush to clear nozzle openings
4. Replace diverter cartridge
   • More economical than entire faucet replacement

Prevention

• Gently return sprayer back to holder after use
• Limit bending pull-out hose at sharp angles
• Add water softener system if hard water deposits are an issue

Malfunctioning sprayers on old faucets may need professional repair. On newer models, replace spray head assembly compatible with existing faucet.

Conclusion

Faucets endure constant use and exposure to water daily. Common problems like leaks, rust buildup, low pressure and difficulty turning can arise. Understanding what causes these issues allows homeowners to fix them easily and cost-effectively in most cases.

However, some complex repairs like leakages inside sink compartments, wall openings or flooring may require professional help. Similarly, very low water pressure affecting all fixtures indicates whole-home pipe issues best addressed by a licensed plumber.

In homes with aging faucets, proactively replacing very old valves, spouts and handles can prevent the need for repetitive repairs. Newer faucets now offer innovations like touchless operation and protective finishes minimizing scratches and tarnish buildup.

Investing in preventative maintenance steps goes a long way in extending faucet lifespan and avoiding water damage or supply interruptions due to neglected issues. Paying attention periodically and addressing problems promptly keeps faucets working smoothly for years of leak and worry-free usage.