Any faucet will leak sooner or later . Water can leak quickly or barely noticeably, in either case causing damage to plumbing and surrounding furniture. Some causes of leaks can be eliminated independently, more complex breakdowns will require the attention of a specialist.

Why is the tap dripping?

Unwanted drops may appear on the spout, in places of moving or static connections. Sometimes water leaks through handles, valves. The most common causes of malfunction are usually:

• damage to the ceramic cartridge, crane box;
• wear of the seal (rubber gasket);
• loosening of connections, fastenings;
• plaque, contamination of the mechanism.

The type of failure that will most quickly affect a mixer is largely determined by its design:

1. For two-valve models, wear of sealing gaskets or crane boxes and loosening of threaded connections are most often characteristic.
2. Single-lever models are characterized by damage to the ceramic cartridge, wear of the sealing rings, and clogging of the mechanisms.
3. Sensory ones are susceptible to valve failures, electronic problems, and clogged supply tubes.
4. Products equipped with a pull-out spout may have damaged hoses, worn connecting elements, and gaskets.
5. If there is a drinking water filter, wear of seals, filter connection points, and damage to connections may be observed.

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Damage may also be caused by:

• incorrect installation;
• mechanical damage;
• use of hard water;
• presence of dirt, particles, suspended matter;
• low quality of construction, elements.

Sometimes the cause of the malfunction can be a faulty ball valve. Such a product is usually installed in water supply systems (for example, on pipes, boiler feeders). It is highly reliable, so it is extremely rare for leaks to occur. In case of a malfunction of the ball valve, you will have to call professionals to fix the leak. 

How to determine the cause of a leaking faucet

A number of signs allow you to roughly understand the cause of the breakdown:

1. Drops from under the spout (especially if the tap is closed) indicate wear of the seal. It is necessary to disassemble the structure, check the condition of the gasket. 
2. Water flows even when tightly closed - most likely the cartridge or valve box is damaged. It is necessary to remove the handle to inspect the mechanism. 
3. Leakage at the joints indicates loose connections. You need to check and tighten the nuts and seals. 
4. The tap is difficult to close, its operation is deteriorating - there is a coating, dirt. You can disassemble, clean the device from dirt, and scale. 

It is also important to inspect the structure for cracks (some may be hidden by plaque, rust). The holders of the movable spouts may also crack or twist.