Most faucets work by turning a handle, which compresses a flat rubber washer up against a piece of metal. This closes off the circulation of water. It is a round washer that pushes up against a round seat. Most of the time when washers are damaged, it is not due to age or bad rubber. It’s caused by user mishandling.
Faucets that require washers periodically need them changed for maintenance purposes. In most cases when we see severely damaged washers it’s due to over tightening. When a homeowner sees a drop of water come out of their faucet it’s their natural inclination to crank the faucet harder. This can destroy the washer, rendering it useless. It can even break it into several pieces that end up in the aerator.
Faucet washers can cause leaks from getting old, hard, or destroyed by over tightening. Once this occurs and you get a steady leak it won’t take long before the water erodes a groove in the seat. This keeps the washer from shutting off the flow of water. Once this happens, no amount of washer changing will stop the leak and the seat will need to be replaced.
Seats only need to be replaced after a leak has been going on for a long time. Once the seat and the washer are replaced the faucet should shut off like it’s brand new. The best way to ensure that your washers have a long life is to use your thumb and forefinger to turn off your faucet. If you can’t get the water to stop flowing with a gentle nudge, it is time to call us to have your washers replaced. Don’t wait until you have annihilated your washers and the seats need to be replaced.
If you want your washers to last a long time, be gentle. This will keep you from damaging your washers and will save you money in the long run. If your faucets are currently not shutting off properly, contact Gary’s Quality Plumbing. (972) 424-6479 Catching the problem early will reduce the cost of your plumbing bill!
