Did you know that a faulty dripping tap accounts for as much as one litre of water wasted per hour? The amount of water wasted could fill a bathtub in a week. It’s pretty shocking.
You may not realise the amount of water a leaky tap wastes and how much money it adds to your bill over time. If you want to save water and money while preventing the potential damage leaks cause, you need to stop tap leaks by identifying the cause and fixing them.
Possible Causes Of a Leaky Tap
Faulty O Ring
This is a common cause of leaking taps. The O ring is a rubber seal that sits between the tap and spout to prevent water from escaping through the joint.
When this part wears out, it leaves a gap in the tap and causes leakage. When it wears out, you should replace the O ring with a new one of the same size and thickness. If you have difficulty finding an exact match, use a plumber’s grease to ensure it seals properly.
Loose Pipes
If your water tap is dripping, it could be due to a loose pipe connection or an old pipe that needs replacing. This problem is solved by tightening the connections or replacing them. You should also check for signs of rust on your pipes, as it is an indicator for replacement.
Loose Packing Nut
The packing nut holds the stem assembly in place and prevents water from leaking from your tap. If loose, it can leak behind the handle or spout while using the sink.
A Corroded Valve Seat
The valve seat has a washer underneath it. The device is used to turn the water off and on, so when it corrodes, you will notice dripping from around the handle area.
A Worn Washer
The common cause of leaky taps is a worn washer. The washer sits at the base of the tap, sealing against the spout or sink bowl to prevent dripping. Over time, it wears out or becomes damaged. If you have doubts about whether your tap needs replacement or repair, call a plumber to help identify the problems.
A Faulty Seal
If your tap still leaks after changing the washer, it is time to replace the seal on your tap. The tap seal acts like a gasket to seal off the main water flow behind the tap when it is off. Dripping could be because this seal is faulty or broken.
Water Pressure Problems
High water pressure could also make the tap leak. Too high water pressure affects the tap’s flow, causing inefficient flow between taps. The water can get backed up, forcing it to pick a path which is often the tap or spout. Thus, you will notice a dripping tap.
Cracked equipment
The tap and correlating equipment could have cracks that trigger dripping. Sometimes, you will observe leaks at the crack and the nearest tap. Damages can be caused by wear, rust, impact, and prolonged use of harsh chemicals.
Bad Installations
If you recently got a new system installed and the tap leaks, there could be an issue with the installation or equipment. Often, the problem is with installation, especially if it is a DIY project. Poor installations could cost you many litres of water so go for a professional when in doubt.
How to Identify a Leaking Tap
Water leaks are a common problem in a home. A leaky water tap can waste a lot of water and money, but they are easy to spot and fix.
- Listen for the water sound. If you hear it coming from the area near your sink or bathtub, your tap could be leaking.
- Place a bowl underneath each spout and turn on the water supply at maximum pressure. Check back after 5 minutes or more to see if there is a change in the water level in either bowl.
- Look for watermarks on surfaces near the tap. If you see watermarks on surfaces like countertops or floors, it indicates a leak. Watermarks in several spots along walls near a sink or toilet that have been recently dry-wiped shows a leaky tap situation that needs further investigation.
- Food colour test. Turn off the water and put a small amount of food colouring in the sink. Turn on the water and wait. If the food colouring appears in the drain or on your countertop, you have a leak in your system.
- Moisture under the sink. If there’s moisture under your sink, there’s probably a leak. You may also notice mould growing.
Also Read: Reasons why your kitchen sink smells
Safe DIY Fixes For a Leaky Tap
Here are simple and safe DIY solutions if you constantly battle a leaky tap.
- Replace your washer. Take off the handle by turning it counterclockwise, pull out the old washer with pliers and replace it with new ones. You can purchase them at your local hardware store. Be sure to match up sizes when replacing parts.
- Turn off the tap and tighten the nut at the base of the tap. If loose, tighten it with an adjustable wrench until it feels snug but not too tight.
- Remove the cartridge. If you have an older tap, it might be held in place by screws or clips. If so, remove those and pull out the cartridge. If not, you need to use some pliers to pull off a retaining ring or other tap parts that hold the cartridge in place.
- Put some food-grade grease on the base of your tap to seal up any leaks. Food-grade grease is safe for pipes and does not contain chemicals that could harm them over time, so this is a great way to fix leaks without buying anything new.
Seek Professional Help
Professional help is the safest way to deal with a leaky tap. It eliminates the need for DIY, plus a professional plumber will help you save a lot in repair costs.
If you are facing a leakage issue that you cannot resolve using the DIY methods or have no experience with plumbing, contact us, and we will be happy to fix the problem.