A dripping faucet is more than a nuisance—it wastes water, raises bills, and signals wear that can lead to bigger leaks. If you’re in Long Beach and hearing that steady drip, here’s a clear guide to why it happens, how to diagnose it, and what our Long Beach Plumbing experts recommends to fix it. A1 Best Plumbing has helped thousands of homeowners stop leaks quickly and permanently.
Quick Answer (Overview)
- Most common causes: worn washers/O-rings, damaged cartridges, corroded valve seats, or high water pressure.
- Local factor: mineral buildup from hard water in Long Beach accelerates wear.
- DIY-friendly fixes: replace cartridges or washers, clean aerators and valve seats.
- When to call a pro: if pressure is high, seats are pitted, leaks persist, or the faucet is a specialty model.
For reliable results, our Long Beach Plumbing experts recommends confirming your faucet type first, then addressing the correct internal parts rather than just the aerator.
The Main Causes of a Dripping Faucet
- Worn Washers and O-Rings (Compression and Cartridge Faucets)
- Every time you turn the handle, a rubber washer or O-ring presses against metal to stop water. Over time, friction and minerals create grooves and flatten these seals.
- Signs: drip from the spout, water seeping around the handle.
- Fix: replace the washer and O-ring; use plumber’s grease during reassembly. This is the first repair our Long Beach Plumbing experts recommends for classic two-handle compression faucets.
- Damaged or Worn Cartridges (Single-Handle and Many Two-Handle Faucets)
- Cartridges regulate flow and temperature. Internal seals can crack or harden, letting water slip through.
- Signs: constant spout drip, difficulty mixing temperatures, or handle not returning smoothly.
- Fix: match and replace the cartridge (brand/model specific). Our Long Beach Plumbing experts recommends bringing the old cartridge to the store or calling A1 Best Plumbing for an exact match.
- Corroded Valve Seat and Mineral Buildup
- The valve seat connects the spout to the faucet body. Hard water in Long Beach leaves mineral scale; over time, corrosion pits the metal and defeats a perfect seal.
- Signs: persistent drip even after new washers/cartridges; gritty debris in aerator.
- Fix: clean or resurface with a valve-seat wrench or replace the seat if removable. Our Long Beach Plumbing experts recommends inspecting seats any time the faucet is disassembled.
- High Water Pressure or Thermal Expansion
- Excessive pressure forces water past seals even when “off.”
- Signs: nighttime dripping that seems worse when demand is low, multiple fixtures weeping, banging pipes (water hammer).
- Fix: test with a gauge (outdoor spigot or laundry bib). Ideal residential pressure is 50–60 psi. If it’s 70+ psi, adjust or replace the pressure-reducing valve (PRV). In closed systems, install a thermal expansion tank. This is a system-level solution our Long Beach Plumbing experts recommends to prevent repeat failures.
- Worn Packing or Loose Bonnet/Stem Nuts
- Around the handle stem, packing material keeps water from escaping.
- Signs: water leaking around the handle rather than the spout.
- Fix: gently tighten the packing nut a quarter-turn or replace packing/O-ring. Our Long Beach Plumbing experts recommends not overtightening—too much force damages threads.
- Faulty Ceramic Discs or Ball Assemblies
- Disc faucets rely on two polished ceramic plates; ball faucets use springs and seats.
- Signs: irregular flow, spout drip, or handle feel changes.
- Fix: replace the disc cartridge or springs and seats kit. Our Long Beach Plumbing experts recommends OEM parts for best longevity.
- Installation Errors or Mismatched Parts
- Using the wrong cartridge, reusing flattened O-rings, or skipping plumber’s grease can cause immediate leaks.
- Fix: verify part numbers, replace all seals in the kit, and follow torque specs. When in doubt, A1 Best Plumbing can verify and install the correct assembly.
Note: A clogged aerator rarely causes a true spout drip, but it can change flow and pressure perception. Clean it anyway—our Long Beach Plumbing experts recommends soaking aerators in vinegar to remove mineral scale.
How to Diagnose Your Dripping Faucet (Step-by-Step)
- Identify the faucet type
- Compression (two handles that tighten down), cartridge (smooth-turning), ceramic disc, or ball.
- Shut off water and drain
- Close the angle stops under the sink; open the faucet to relieve pressure.
- Inspect and replace wear parts
- Compression: replace washer and O-ring; inspect and resurface valve seat.
- Cartridge/disc: remove handle and trim, pull the cartridge/disc, inspect seals, replace with exact match.
- Clean mineral buildup
- Soak parts (not rubber) in white vinegar; gently brush scale from the valve seat and aerator.
- Reassemble with plumber’s grease
- Lightly lubricate O-rings and threads; avoid petroleum grease on rubber.
- Test pressure if drip persists
- Attach a $10–$20 gauge to an exterior spigot. Our Long Beach Plumbing experts recommends 50–60 psi. If high, have a PRV adjusted or replaced and add an expansion tank if needed.
If the faucet still drips, the seat may be deeply pitted or the body cracked—this is when our Long Beach Plumbing experts recommends professional evaluation.
Long Beach-Specific Considerations
- Hard water: Minerals accelerate seal wear and seat corrosion. Annual aerator cleaning and periodic cartridge changes are smart maintenance.
- Older homes and condos: Vintage compression faucets benefit from valve-seat resurfacing.
- Coastal air: Salt-laden moisture can corrode exposed trim and bonnet nuts faster—inspect annually.
Our Long Beach Plumbing experts recommends a whole-home pressure check and a maintenance plan to stay ahead of leaks.
Prevention Tips
- Maintain proper pressure: Keep it at 50–60 psi.
- Exercise valves monthly: Open and close fully to prevent sticking.
- Clean aerators quarterly: Vinegar soak to remove scale.
- Use quality parts: OEM cartridges, EPDM or silicone O-rings.
- Install water treatment where needed: A softener or conditioner can reduce scale buildup—something our Long Beach Plumbing experts recommends when frequent mineral issues appear.
Costs to Expect
- Washers/O-rings: $5–$15 in parts; DIY-friendly.
- Cartridges or disc assemblies: $20–$120, depending on brand.
- Professional repair: Often $125–$350 for common faucets.
- PRV replacement: $350–$700; expansion tank: $250–$500.
Our Long Beach Plumbing experts recommends addressing pressure problems first if multiple fixtures show symptoms—this protects every faucet and appliance.
When to Call A1 Best Plumbing
- The faucet continues to drip after new washers/cartridges.
- Water pressure tests high or fluctuates.
- Valve seats are severely pitted or non-removable.
- Designer or specialty faucets require brand-specific parts.
- You notice concurrent leaks at multiple fixtures.
A1 Best Plumbing offers fast diagnoses, stock common cartridges, and can correct upstream issues (PRV, expansion) so the fix lasts. That’s exactly what our Long Beach Plumbing experts recommends for long-term savings and water efficiency.
Conclusion
Most dripping faucets come down to worn internal seals, damaged cartridges, mineral buildup, or excessive water pressure. Start with the right diagnosis, replace the correct parts, and verify home water pressure. For durable, no-drip results in Long Beach, our Long Beach Plumbing experts recommends tackling both the fixture and any system-level issues. Contact A1 Best Plumbing for a same-day assessment and a repair that stays fixed.