Oh that leaking faucet!

In a time when water is a precious commodity – especially in California with a serious drought – making sure that all of your faucets are in good condition is essential to save money and water.

Here are some problem areas and quick tips to do repairs on your own. Please call plumber if you're not comfortable with this process. You do not want to create a larger leak by forgetting to turn off your main water, or not tightening the gasket or valve properly.

1) Corroded Valve Seat- One of the most typical causes of a leaky faucet is a corroded valve seat. When water sediments collect on the valve seat, the spout will certainly start to leak. It is a smart idea to clean the valve seat on a regular basis to avoid this problem. 

                   

2) Malfunctioning O-ring - A faulty O-ring may be the most common factor for a faucet leak. The O-ring is a small rubber ring around the stem screw. Over time, they may weaken, permitting a trickle of water past the seal. To fix it, you'll have to disassemble the faucet from the handle down. This is an easy repair and can generally be done within minutes. Here is a great link to fixing your O-ring.http://home.howstuffworks.com/home-improvement/plumbing/how-to-repair-a-faucet4.htm

3) Washer is Worn Out- This is a regular problem for your faucet. Water pressure forces the washer up against the valve seat. This continuous pressure breaks the washer. The simplest repair is to change the washer. Often, if it isn't installed correctly or is not of the right size, it can cause leakage.

4) Loose Parts- A faucet is made use of a lot, the packing nuts and adjusting ring may become loose as you use them, triggering leaks. When you have a leaky faucet because of loose parts, you need to adjust the packing nut or change it entirely.

5) Seals are Worn Out- There are 2 types of seals: inlet seals and outlet seals. Similar to many of the other parts of your faucet, these seals are vulnerable to deterioration due to water sediment. This is likewise a main reason for water dripping. Work with a professional to clean or change your seals. This should quickly fix your leaking issues.

6) Broken Pipes or Fittings - A dripping faucet might be the result of a broken pipe or fitting.  Damaged pipes establish fractures that might disrupt the water pressure and cause faucet drips from time to time. If you have attempted the above and the problem remains unfixed, then you should hire a skilled plumber to check your water pipes.

CA is in a drought Save Water! Ten tips!

It's really not that hard to save water. Short of buying a new low flush toilet, and installing low flow shower heads and faucets, these tips are very quick and easy. All it takes is a few days to develop a new habit.  Check it out. The water you save today will feed the vegetables you eat tomorrow. 

1. Instead of letting the water run cold, fill a bottle and keep it in the fridge.

2. Put a large jug by the sink. At the end of a meal, if there's leftover water in glasses, pour it in the jug, then use this "gray water" for watering plants. Add melting ice cubes, cooking water and other water you would rinse away. Use it to rinse your recyclables, water plants, and even soak your dirty pots.

3. Assign a different drinking glass to each person in the house (and refill as desired) throughout the day. This not only saves on water but also means fewer dishes to do. 

4. Collect gray water from the kitchen sink in a tub beneath the faucet. I have a double sink and keep a Rubbermaid bin on one side. Use that side to rinse hands and produce, so the water fills it.  You can water plants, soak dishes, and rinse recyclables with that water.

5. Collect the water you might waste waiting for the shower to heat up in a bucket and water your garden, rinse your dishes or 'gasp' even flush your toilet with it.  

6. Take short showers.  Turn water on to get wet, turn the water off. Soap up thoroughly, turn the water on, Rinse. You probably saved 20 gallons of water. 

7. Don’t leave water running while you brush your teeth or while doing the dishes.

8. In California we have a saying to save toilet water. If it's yellow let it mellow if it's brown flush it down. You can share the toilet several times if it's just liquid, it's better than an outhouse! Toilets can use up to 30% of your household water. Get  lower flow by adding a soda bottle or brick to the water tank. 

9. Only flush what you must. Cotton, tissues, and the like should go in a trash 

10. Wash only clothes that are dirty. Most children dump clean clothes in the laundry basket because it’s preferable to hanging them up. Sound familiar?  When you wash, don't put more water than you need in the wash cycle.