Why Is Bathroom Faucet Leaking From Center Hole?

A bathroom faucet leaking from center hole is a frustrating situation for homeowners. A constant dripping sound of water causes irritation and also increases the water bill. If you ignore the leak, with time, its repair cost will increase.

Fixing a leak in the bathroom faucet from the center hole is not a daunting task. With the proper instructions and the right tools, you can fix it yourself. Common reasons for a leaky bathroom faucet from the center hole are damaged cartridges or faulty O-rings. By replacing these parts, you can stop the leakage. Read through this guide to know the process in detail.

Why Is My Bathroom Faucet Leaking From Center Hole?

When you see water pooling around the center hole of the bathroom faucet, it is a sign that there is a leak that you need to fix to stop the leakage. A leaky bathroom faucet not only wastes water but also mold growth. To fix the leak, you should know the reason for this problem. The most common reasons for this problem are a damaged cartridge or faulty O-ring.

Damaged Cartridge

When it comes to fixing a bathroom faucet leaking from center hole, one of the common causes is a worn-out cartridge. A cartridge is a small cylindrical part that controls the flow of water.

Over time, cartridges wear out and can’t control the flow of water. Due to a damaged cartridge, water leaks from center hole of the bathroom tap. It causes a water puddle around the base of the faucet and a higher water bill.

Faulty O-Rings

There are many parts in a bathroom faucet to make it work smoothly and O-ring is one of them. It is a small rubber seal that creates a tight seal between different parts of the bathroom tap. This seal prevents water from leaking.

O-rings are used to create a waterproofing seal in the bathroom faucet. With time, it becomes dry up and cracks due to exposure to water and heat. Harsh cleaning chemicals also damage O-rings.

A damaged O-rings won’t create a watertight seal and water seep down through the faucet body. This creates a water pool around the faucet.

Crack Valve Body

A cracked valve body is a less common but more serious cause of a bathroom faucet leaking from center hole. The valve body is the central component of the faucet that controls the flow of water. If it becomes cracked or damaged, water can leak out of the center hole.

This problem is more concerning than damaged O-rings or cartridges. If your bathroom faucet valve body is cracked, you only have the option to replace the faucet because a valve body can’t be repaired.

Check also – No Water In The Bathroom Faucet But Everywhere Else

How Do I Stop My Bathroom Faucet From Leaking Center Hole?

Stopping the bathroom faucet from leaking center hole is a DIY task that you can perform yourself. Before start fixing the leak, you should turn off the water supply to the bathroom fixture. If there is a shut-off valve for the faucet in the bathroom, turn off this valve or else turn off the main water supply of the house. Also, remember to drain the remaining water from the faucet by turning on its handle.

Another precautionary step you should take is to cover the bathroom sink drain with a towel so any part of the faucet won’t fall into the sink. Now you are ready to stop the leak.

Replace The O-Rings

To replace the O-rings, you need these tools

• New O-rings
• Adjustable wrench
• Plier
• Screwdriver
• Towel

When you have all these tools, you are ready to replace the O-rings. For this follow these instructions.

• To remove the old O-rings, you need to remove its handle. For this, remove the screw of the handle.
• If there is a cap on the screw, remove it by using a flathead screwdriver or your fingernail if it is long enough. While removing the cap, you should take care of the finish.
• After removing the cap, the screw of the handle is visible. This screw holds the handle in place.
• Some bathroom faucets have Philips screws and some have hex screws. According to the screw type, you need to use a screwdriver or Allen key.
• When you successfully remove the screw, you can remove the handle and set it aside.
• Now remove the valve from the faucet body. For this use a plier or wrench. simply clamp them around the base of the valve and turn counterclockwise to remove it.
• After removing the valve, you can see the O-rings of the faucet. Take a closer look at these rings. To stop the leak, you need to replace the O-rings.
• Get exact matching O-rings from any plumbing store and install them in the place of old ones. Tighten them properly to avoid any feature leaks.
• When you’re ready to reassemble the faucet, make sure you align any tabs or grooves to ensure a snug fit.
• Tighten the valve, reattach the handle, secure it with the set screw, and cover it with a cap. Turn on the water supply to the faucet.

Replace Cartridge

If O-rings are not damaged then the problem is with the cartridge. If you have a double-handle faucet, you need to replace the cartridge for only that side from where water is leaking. In some bathroom faucet center hole leakage issues, you need to replace the cartridge of both handles.

Before replacing the cartridge, gather these tools.

• A flathead screwdriver
• An Allen wrench
• Pipe wrench or tongue-and-groove pliers
• New cartridge
• Plumber’s grease

When you have all these tools, you are ready to replace the cartridge. Follow these instructions to replace it.

• To replace the cartridge, start with turn off the water supply to the faucet.
• Now remove the handle of the bathroom faucet. If there is a cap, first remove it and then remove the screw of the handle.
• Carefully pull the handle straight up to detach it from the faucet.
• The cartridge is held in its place by a retaining nut. To remove this nut, use a pipe wrench or tongue-and-groove plier. Keep the net aside in a safe place for later use.
• Use a plier to pull out the old bad cartridge from the faucet body. You may take a photo of the old cartridge before removing it so that when you insert a new one at the right orientation.
• For long life, use plumber grease on the cartridge to keep it safe from wear and tear.
• Now install a new cartridge and secure it with a retaining nut.
• Reattach the handle by tightening its nut and reattach the decorative cap.

Replace Faucet

Sometimes, no matter how hard you try to repair the leak of the bathroom faucet, it just won’t fix properly. You have already replaced the O-rings and cartridge to stop the leak but still, water is leaking from the center hole of the bathroom tap.

If your bathroom faucet has been along for a couple of decades, it’s probably lived a long and happy life. It depends on the quality of the faucet, and how long it will run without any issues. If your faucet is started to show frequent leaks or other issues, it’s time to replace the faucet.

Maybe you are thinking that replacing a faucet is an expensive hassle but in the long run, it is cost-saving. If you, again and again, repair a leaky faucet, it will cost you more than a new faucet. You will waste lots of your time and money in this process. Don’t worry, you can find bathroom faucets in your budget.

What Happens If You Don’t Fix a Leaky Bathroom Faucet?

If you don’t fix a leaky bathroom faucet, it will lead to many issues. One of the most common consequences of a leaky faucet is a high water bill. You think a small drip won’t impact the water bill but you are wrong. Even a small drip of water wastes a significant amount of water over time.

A leaky faucet also causes damage to bathroom cabinets. When water leaks from the bathroom fixture, it accumulates on the sink or countertop and later seeps into the cabinet and causes damage. Also, it leads to mold and mildew growth.

Leak in the faucet over time damage itself. It can cause wear and tear on the working parts of the faucet and lead to extensive repairs or replacement.

From an environmental standpoint, a leaky faucet also has a significant impact. Wasting water through a leaky faucet can contribute to water shortages and put a strain on natural resources. So, whenever you see bathroom faucet leaking from center hole, you should repair it immediately to avoid expensive repairs in the future.

Related – Who Makes Parlos Bathroom Faucet?

James Lewis

James Lewis is a seasoned plumber and faucet enthusiast who shares his expertise on Faucetsavvy.com. With over 15 years of experience in the plumbing industry, he’s passionate about helping homeowners find the perfect faucet for their needs. He’s also dedicated to empowering DIY enthusiasts with the plumbing knowledge and skills needed to repair and maintain their faucets.