The Drip That Costs You Hundreds – How to Fix That Leaky Tap?

Normally, people don’t consider a leaking tap a major plumbing issue and ignore it. However, it can get converted to a major issue over time and create problems like extensive energy and water bills. It can automatically impact the water supply to your place. Instead of financial issues, a tap that continuously leaks water drop by drop can cause structural damage to your property as the place below it won’t get dried out at any moment. 

Therefore, it is important to either learn the method for fixing a leaking tap or hire a licensed plumber to solve the issue. If you want to try some methods on your own before asking a professional for help, you have come to the right page. In this guide, we will show you how you can fix minor leaking tap issues without calling someone for expert assistance. By the end, you will learn how to make water flow smooth by fixing a dripping tap.

Common Causes of Leaky Taps

Before you get into the methods for fixing a leaking tap, it is good to be aware of the causes that can create this problem. It is because being familiar with the reasons, you will have a plus point to act in the right direction. In simple words, you can understand whether you need to replace the tap handle or use devices like a jumper valve to fix the leakage. Let us share some of those causes that we have found prominent in this situation.

Broken Washers

The washers of your tap work as a sealing component to stop the water flow when the tap handle is turned off. If this component is worn out or broken, it can cause leaking in your tap. The reason is that there won’t be any watertight seal to block the water flow, and it keeps dripping from the tap. A washer doesn’t only get broken because of particular reasons like a hard push or something like that.

But it can also get problems or become useless after a few months or years. With time, the tap washer and the entire tap body keep on getting friction and pressure from the water supply. In turn, the washers can get broken, which may cause leaking taps. To get rid of this issue, you can get new washers from any hardware store and then replace them. With this approach, you may be able to stop leakages without getting any plumbing services.

Malfunctioned O-Rings

It is right to say that O-rings, often called rubber O-rings, are the most important internal components of the tap that prevent leakages from a tap. You can find it around the tap’s spindle and inside the tap body. The main purpose of these rings is to avoid leakage from the tap handle or tap bonnet and avoid excessive water bills due to useless water. However, if this ring isn’t working properly, you may experience continuous dripping from your taps, which can create multiple issues like standing water, extra water bills, and others.

These rings can malfunction because of mineral deposits over months. It is good to inspect this set of internal components and then replace them if necessary. Keep in mind that you need to disassemble the entire tap structure to replace the O-rings. You have to get it out from the valve seat, disassemble its components, replace the rings, and then reassemble the tap. The entire process can be tricky if you haven’t done this before. Therefore, it is good if you hire a professional plumber for this purpose and even inspect these rings and other parts like the tap seat to ensure what is the main reason for the leakage.

Corroded Valves

Another common cause of leaking taps is corroded valves. This situation can occur because of various issues, like mineral deposits. The corrosion can occur inside the valve seat or in any other tap components that bear direct water pressure and are in contact with it. This problem is too often encountered when you are living in a region with a hard water supply. In such areas, you can see mineral build-up around the visible tap components instead of its inner parts. 

This problem will lead to permanent water wastage situations. The only solution in this regard is to inspect the entire tap assembly carefully and ensure that it doesn’t have any corrosion. If you have found corroded parts, it is good to focus on the replacement of the tap or its components. It doesn’t matter whether an O ring is corroded or jumper valves are experiencing this situation; you can get replacement valves and get them in your tap. With this approach, you will be able to get rid of continuous leaking taps and keep your house clean. Normally, people use plumber's tape to fix minor parts, which is completely wrong because you may have to get a proper solution for such things for durable results.

High Water Pressure

Another common cause of leakage in your taps or showers is high water pressure. Sometimes, the main water supply has high pressure on the plumbing components. In turn, their components, like the seat of the tap, tap seal, and others, can be impacted. For example, high pressure of water can create problems like washer issues that can lead towards leaking taps.

That’s why it is recommended to install a pressure regulator along with the main water supply. Mostly, plumbers use this device in their home improvement projects and avoid excessive water pressure exposure. You should also consider installing it for your safety after you have got tap fixture services or get it resolved on your own with DIY plumbing.

Why You Should Fix a Leaky Tap?

Whether the leakage is because of the main supply high high-pressure water, corrosion buildup, or any other problem, the most common question that comes to mind is Why should we focus on fixing a leaky tap. If you are also looking to get some detailed information about this, you have come to the right section. In this blog, we will help you understand why you should choose to respond promptly in case of a leaking tap.

Saves Water Bills

The most beneficial outcome that you will get from the tap fixture and removing leakage is a reduction in your utility bills. Normally, we think that it impacts the water bills only, but in reality, it impacts all utility bills, including energy. The reason is that leaking taps waste hundreds of litres of water every month. If these are taps with a hot water supply, it will cause you to loss energy required to operate a water heater. 

In turn, you won’t only get a hike in the water bills but also in your energy bills. However, the problem gets severe if you have multiple leaking taps at your home, like in your kitchen, on your roof, or in any other places. Therefore, it is recommended to get solutions like roof repairs for tap fixtures or any other to reduce your bills and get a smooth water supply at your place. 

Protect Your Property’s Worth

Another benefit that makes it compulsory to fix your leaking taps is the value of your property. It doesn’t matter whether you have a residential building or a commercial property; you must consider removing leaking taps and installing water-efficient devices. With this approach, you will avoid issues like mineral build-up, corrosion, and others. 

Keep in mind that leaking taps may not seem harmful, but they can be if the problem has reached the deep roots. For example, if they have impacted your floor, you may need to get concrete resurfacing to make your home appealing. In turn, it will be very expensive as compared to fixing leaking taps. Therefore, it is highly suggested to resolve the problem before it is too late.

Avoids Water Damage

Keep in mind that continuous water leakages from taps can create issues like water pooling around gutter installations, basins, and even kitchen sinks. It is not only visibly weird but can also impact the overall water quality. Simply, you can say that water pooling can happen around any water drain facility that can impact your property in the long term.

Therefore, you must consider using your plumbing skills and fixing the leaky taps to resolve this issue. In turn, you will be able to keep your property away from deep damage and avoid expensive consequences of ignoring leaking taps. It can also create health hazard issues like mould growth, which can create many health problems for the residents of the building.

How to Fix a Leaky Tap at Your Home?

As mentioned earlier, a leaking tap can waste hundreds of litres of water every month, which can cost you thousands of dollars. Almost every individual who is facing this problem is looking for some effective ways to fix a leaking tap in their homes. You might be one of those and looking to test your plumbing skills and get it fixed without hiring a professional plumber.

Don’t worry if you don’t have any technical information, as we are here to help you learn how you can fix a leaky tap on your own. Whether your tap washer is impacted or its valve seat is faulty, you can follow the upcoming steps to fix your tap easily without facing complications. However, you must need to be proactive as assembling components like the body washer, tap bonnet, or tap seat can be a little difficult for a newbie.

Turn Off Water Supply

First of all, you must consider going to the main supply valve for the water shut off. It is because you can’t fix a leaking tap when water is continuously supplied to it. You can either cut the water supply for that particular tap or even the entire house. 

To cut the water supply, you only need to find the main valve that is normally installed beside the water meter. You only have to rotate it properly by checking the signs shown on the pipe or valve to close it to shut off the supply. You must ensure that no water is now coming to your taps, and you are ready to fix it. In addition to this, you need to dry the tap and its valve seat properly with a towel or something like this because no solution will stay on the wet taps or their components.  

Separate the Faucet

Once you are done with the water shut off and drying the taps, it is time to separate the faucet and get started with the tap fixture process. You first need to remove the cover plate carefully from your tap for inspection and further processing. To do this, you can use an Allen key that will enable you to rotate the cover properly for its remover. When you are done with it, you can get the tap handle separated to move to the tap skirt or tap bonnet. 

Now, you need to disassemble its small components like rubber O rings, washers, and jumper valves. It is good if you keep these parts separate, as well as keep the method in mind for the tap assembly in the end. For every component, you should consider drying it with the help of a towel or something like that.

Inspect the Issue & Solve

Now, when you have separated all components of the tap, you need to inspect them and find the main reason causing the leakage. In case of corrosion by hard water, you can easily get an idea by inspecting it visibly. You can also identify the broken parts with the same process. However, you may need to use your critical plumbing skills to find some hidden issues. 

Once you have found the problem, it is time to solve the issue by replacing the faulty components. If the entire tap is malfunctioning, we suggest you pick some water-efficient devices from the market and replace the entire tap instead of repairing it. However, if you are unable to find the problem, you must consider choosing a professional plumber for the solution.

Reassemble

In the end, you need to go ahead with the reassembling of your taps and make sure that they are not leaking now. You need to attach all components together and fix the tap properly. Once you are done with this, you will be able to check if the leakage has paused or not. 

Conclusion

By reading this blog, you must have got an idea of the major causes behind leaking taps that you may be seeing at your place. It is good to inspect the cause on your own, if you have basic plumbing skills, and remove it by following DIY plumbing.

By following the above steps, you can easily remove the basic issues with your leaking taps. It is good to take instant action to avoid expensive plumbing solutions or structural damage to your property.

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