Causes of a dripping tap

There are many reasons that could be the Causes of a dripping tap or why a tap will start to leak, and until the issue has been identified and repaired, it will in most cases become even worse.

It is well known that a single dripping tap can lose over 12,000 litres in a year of our valuable water, costing the homeowner hundreds of dollars.

Causes of a dripping tap – Here a few reasons why

Worn out washer, O-rings or fibre washers

The most common reason for a leaking tap is a worn-out washer or O-ring inside the faucet. Over time, these components can deteriorate due to constant use and water pressure, leading to leaks. There are several different tap washer sizes and brands. Some utilise poor quality materials and some will use high quality brass. Hydro seal tap washers are specifically designed not just to rely on solely of the spindle to screw down, but it also uses the hydraulics of the water pressure to seal the unique o ring inside the tap washer. 

Loose or damaged valve seat

The valve seat connects to the face of the tap washer. If there are any imperfections of the tap seat the new washer will either only last for a short time or won’t work at all. If the seat is damaged your plumber will have specific tools to rectify the face of the seat. 

Cartridge issues

Mixer taps are designed in utilising cartridges instead of the traditional tap washers. For taps with cartridge-style mechanisms, a damaged or worn-out cartridge can result in leaks. The most common way to rectify this issue is to replace the cartridge which can be difficult as there are many different styles of cartridges available. The plumber will need to identify and source the correct cartridge to enable a successful repair to be carried out.

High water pressure

If your water pressure exceeds the recommended water pressure for your taps and mixer taps this can be a cause of your issue. A plumber can carry out a pressure test on your water service system.

If the pressure is found to be over the limit, the plumber can install a pressure reduction valve on the system. Sometimes this will be installed at your water meter. This will cap the pressure at a set pressure rating.

The maximum pressure allowed inside the house is 500kpa.

Once this has been rectified the homeowner taps will generally have a longer life span. 

Poor installation

This can be an issue when the taps have not initially been installed by a professional. There could be a poor alignment issues, cross thread or a main cause when Improper installation: If the tap was installed incorrectly, it might develop leaks over time. Poor alignment of internal components or improper seals can lead to drips.

This also can cause further damage inside wall cavities if the spindle has been installed incorrectly allowing the water to pass into the cavity without anyone knowing.

Identifying and rectify dripping taps is essential and time critical as it will not only help save the homeowner excess water but can also minimise additional damage.

If you need assistance with your a dripping tap, call 0410 638 342 today!