How to fix leaky taps and the causes of dripping tap

Taps are one of the essential items in your home. Keeping it regularly maintained is crucial for it to remain in an excellent working condition. Having a leaky tap in your home is terrible. Not only is it annoying to deal with, but if left untreated, it can accumulate in tons of wasted water.

Leaky taps can range from light dripping to continuous leaking. Locating the cause of the leak can be just as troublesome. Let’s look at the list of all the possible reasons why your tap is leaking and how to fix it.

Damaged Washer

A damaged washer is one of the most common causes of leaks in your tap. This is because whenever you switch your tap on, the washer is pushed against the valve seat. This repeating pressure will eventually cause your washer to be damaged, resulting in leaking near the spout.

How to fix it:

A damaged washer can be fixed by simply replacing it. However, if the new washer’s size is incorrect or not appropriately installed, the leak will remain. If the leak persists after replacing the washer, it is advisable to contact and hire a drain specialist.

Loose O-ring

A loose or damaged o-ring can cause leaking noticeably at the joint of the tap, near the handle and spout. O-rings are installed in your tap handle to form a waterproof seal.

How to fix it:

Leaks produced by a loose o-ring can be fixed by replacing them. O-rings are usually placed at the base of the spout, but first, you must detach the spout by unscrewing the grub screw, which can be located behind the tap. Once the spout is free, you can replace the old o-ring with a new one.

Worn-out Valve Seat

A valve seat is a part of the tap that is located where the spout connects to the tap to create a watertight seal. The valve seat is an integral part of the tap and can be easily damaged and worn out by mineral buildup.

How to fix it:

Fixing a worn-out valve seat is straightforward and can easily be done with the right tools. In addition, just replacing the valve seat will guarantee your tap to have a watertight seal again.

Blocked Cartridge

Your tap’s cartridge manages the flow and temperature of your water. Unfortunately, people commonly encounter a few leaks after installing a new tap. This could be due to a blockage in the cartridge caused by dirt buildup from the water supply.

How to fix it:

If you’re installing a new tap, remember to first flush out the whole system before installing it. Skipping this step may result in dirt and debris gathering in the cartridge. On the other hand, replacing your tap’s cartridge is relatively simple. Depending on the type of faucet you have, you can fix it yourself with just a few tools and manuals from its packaging.

Too much water pressure

In some cases, too much water pressure could be the cause of a leaky tap. High levels of water pressure restrict water from flowing. As a result, the water will eventually back up and leak out of taps. This can cause your pipes to get backed up with water.

How to fix it:

The only solution to this issue is to call a professional plumber to check the water pressure in your home; if the water pressure is too high, the plumber can easily fix the problem.

Pipe Complications

Pipe issues can arise from high water pressure. Cracks, damages, and corrosion from outside elements such as trees can cause water pressure to change and lead to leaking.

Though this is unlikely to be the source of leaky taps, if you think you have pipe issues, keep an eye out for giveaway signs like foul smell, discoloration in the water, and heavy leaks.

How to fix it:

The only way to fix a pipe complication is to call a drain specialist. They will know what the real issues are and how to deal with them properly.