What Does It Mean if a Sink Faucet Constantly Leaks & Sounds Like Air Is in the Pipes?

Sink Leaks

• Sinks leak from a number of places, such as the faucet, the faucet’s base or the drain area. Most leaks come from the faucet head and can cause hundreds of dollars in water bills. This is a simple repair once you determine the faucet type and how it joins together. Proper plumbing tools also help get the job done quickly and effectively. A wrench, a variety of o-rings in various sizes and a tube of plumber’s grease are required for repairing sink leaks.

Repairing Sink Leaks

• First, shut off the water valve under the sink. Close the drain and stick a rag in the drain to catch any part that might fall while you are doing the repair. If you wrap tape around the pipe wrench’s jaws, it caused less damage to the faucet’s finish. Remove the faucet head by unscrewing it or lifting the head with a screwdriver. Remove the o-rings and replace them, first applying heatproof plumber’s grease to the rings, according to writer John D. Wagner of the This Old House.

Noises in Plumbing

• Noises in the plumbing are a common problem in older homes where the pipes are loosened. The pipes may rattle against each other or cause a hammering sound when the faucet is turned off. Air in the plumbing system also causes gurgling, stop-and-go sound when air pockets form in pipes and the water tries to run through them. These noises indicate a system that requires attention before more serious problems develop.

Eliminating Air Noises in Pipes

• Many home plumbing system noises can be eliminated by a drain vent. This device looks similar to the other plumbing in your home and allows air to move throughout the plumbing system. Installing a vent pipe to the sink where the air noises are occurring will help to remove the air from the system. Many homes requires numerous drain vents that all connect to a 4-inch pipe that leads to the roof of the home. Ensuring that this pipe remains free and open will eliminate noises that occur in drains throughout the home.