If your shower head drips when the water is turned off, it can create an annoying sound but it can also add quite a bit to the cost of your water bill. One estimate for just 30 drips per minute calculates to 1,000 gallons of water in a month, which could increase your monthly water bill by an extra $60 or more!
A dripping showerhead is usually caused by worn or damaged inner seals. Inside the faucet are rubber washers or O-rings that seal off between the shower head and the valve behind the turnoff handle. Over time, deposits from hard water (which is common in the Rio Rancho and Albuquerque area) can make the valve not close completely.
Another cause to a dripping faucet or shower head may be in the handle. If the handle is cracked or worn, it may not grip the faucet stem correctly.
Some homeowners may want to fix a leaking or dripping faucet; if it’s just the O-ring that is the problem and you have the necessary tools, you may be able to fix it yourself. If the issue is in the faucet stem, you may be able to remove the handle (on two handle faucets; those with one lever are more difficult) and look for wear or damage.
However, if the problem for the leak is in the valve, then the entire valve will need to be replaced. That will require the water to be turned off and the lines within the walls to be cut and replaced with new valves. That is a job most homeowners are not prepared to handle – but at Affordable Service, our licensed and experienced plumbers can resolve quickly.
If you have a leaking or dripping shower head, bathtub or kitchen faucet, contact us today. The repair cost is likely less than letting it continue for just a few months and paying the extra water cost.
