7:00AM to 5:00PM
Mon to Fri:
7:00AM to 5:00PM
A leaky tap may not seem like a huge issue, but it can potentially lead to a lot of wastage when left untreated over a long period.
Leaking taps may waste more than a bucket of water a week. Hence, dealing with such water leaks as soon as they appear is important.
However, can you fix a leaking tap at home all by yourself? Yes, it is!
This article will first go through the causes behind a leaky tap. Then, we will move on to how you can fix a dripping tap on your own.
So, if you are a DIY enthusiast or just eager to fix your leaking taps, let’s get started!
There may be various reasons why your tap might be leaking. Knowing the exact reason behind the occurrence of this plumbing problem can help you deal with it more effectively. So, here are a few of the most common reasons why faucets water leak in the first place:
A tap washer is a small disc that is placed inside the faucet. It creates a seal to prevent water from leaking when the tap is unused. Hence, a worn-out washer is the most common cause of leakage.
And washers wear out with time because of the constant use of taps. So, the first thing you should check is the washer and get it replaced with a new washer if needed.
The rubber gaskets at the base of your faucet are called O-rings. An O-ring is responsible for creating the seal between two or more parts of the tap to prevent leaks. But, it can get damaged over time or might not be the correct size.
If your tap is old and you have not invested enough in its maintenance, there are chances that its o-ring might need replacement.
Valve seats are placed with the washer inside the tap to create a strong seal. Since it is made of metal, it is at a high risk of corroding. Hence, if the fixtures are not maintained correctly or are too old, valve seats can wear out too.
Its corrosion directly affects the tap’s overall ability to prevent leaks since the seal established by the washer may not be as strong, and the valve seat may not function correctly.
Factors like high water pressure can loosen up the valves, washers, and cartridges of the tap, leading to dripping taps. A loose packing nut may also prevent the body of a tap from staying intact. This can hamper the seal system and further lead to leaking taps.
Several valves on the market can reduce the water pressure supplied to your taps. It is recommended that you go for them if you suspect this to be the leading cause of your leaking faucets.
Sometimes, broken pipes may be a reason for this problem, as they interfere with your home’s overall water pressure. If you think you might have cracked fittings or pipes, contact a professional plumber for assistance. This is something that should be left to the experts.
Fixing leaky taps can help you save water and money on your water bill. You can follow the steps mentioned below to repair leaks in your faucet quickly:
You should turn off the water supply before fixing the leaking tap. You must find the isolation valve and turn it off to do so. It is usually located under the sink.
However, many taps do not have this valve attached to them. In this case, you must turn off the house’s primary water supply.
To identify the faulty part, you will have to disassemble the tap. To do so, you need to unscrew the packing nut that keeps the tap body intact and remove the tap handle using a wrench.
Now that you know the components responsible for sealing the tap, conduct a thorough assessment to identify the faulty ones. Parts that seem worn out or damaged might directly cause the leak.
Once you identify the culprit, you can find a replacement at a local hardware store.
It might require you to follow a trial and error system to ensure that you replace the correct component causing the problem.
Your tap’s washer may need a replacement in case it is old or worn out. Remove the old washer from the tap body and put the new one in place. Assemble the tap again properly using nuts and a wrench. If the tap starts working correctly, then the leakage is fixed!
If replacing the tap’s washer does not eliminate the leakage, you might need a new o-ring. Purchase a ring that complements the shape and size of your tap. Then, disassemble the tap body, put the new rings, and assemble them back.
Incompetent valve metal seats can also cause the issue of a leaking tap. It creates a strong seal and provides a smooth surface for the jumper valve to rest on. Hence, replacing it might seem like a good idea when none of the above replacements works.
If none of the above solutions helps you fix the leaky faucet, you might need to replace the tap. However, installing a tap is not something that you can do at home without any professional help. Hence, it is best to call a plumber in such cases.
You must avail yourself of the plumbing services of reputed companies. Since the installation process is complex, insufficient expertise and experience may cause the taps to leak again.
Fixing a leaky tap can help you save water and money. There are many causes behind a leaking faucet, such as worn-out components, a faulty tap washer, high hot and cold water flow, and improper installation. However, one can quickly fix this issue by replacing defective parts with new ones. Always remember to turn off your water supply before beginning any work.
But what do you do when your every attempt at fixing a leaking tap fails?
This is when we, Gold Coast Plumbing Company, show up to save the day. You can contact us for plumbing assistance, installing a hot water system, detecting household leaks or fixing a dripping tap!
