Three Common Causes of a Leaking Tap
Leaking taps is a common plumbing problem that many homeowners have been facing through the years. In fact, if you’re experiencing a constant drip in one of the faucets in your home, it is important that you take care of these problems as soon as possible. By checking early, you can save you money in the long run and avoid allowing these issues from graduating to an emergency plumbing situation.
Also, to determine what is the actual reason for a tap to leak in any home today, it is important that you explore the many causes of a leaky tap. So, for those of you who are interested in learning a lot more, here are some key causes of a leaking tap in Melbourne and how much water and money is wasted.
Constant drip caused by not turning the nozzle all the way off
Before you call a professional plumber into your home, you may find that it is an issue that you can fix yourself. For instance, a small constant drip may simply be due to someone forgetting to turn off the faucet completely off before leaving the room.
Worn or improperly installed washer
Another common cause of a constant dripping faucet is due to an old worn or damaged small rubber or leather ring which acts as a seal inside the tap. The purpose of this rubber ring is to stop the flow of the water from leaking out of the tap. This small rubber piece is called a washer and is a common reason why a leak is often found.
On the other hand, if the washer has not been installed properly, it is a very good possibility that the water from the faucet will also leak. Therefore, all the homeowner must do is properly seat it inside the tap to stop the leak.
Excessive water pressure
One common cause of a leaky tap is excessive water pressure in your home. It is important that you have the right amount of water pressure in your home to function properly, but if the water pressure in your home is causing your taps to leak, you may need to investigate further. Some of the ways in which you can reduce the water pressure in your home is to install a water pressure limiting valve. A licensed plumber can check your water pressure. If it is excessive, he will advise you to install a limiting valve which will prevent the O-rings, washers, and cartridges from breaking down due to high water pressure.
How much will a leaking faucet increase your water bill?
The answer to this question usually varies depending on how much water is leaking down the drain in your home. However, a typical drip produces approximately 10 drops per minute. So, if a plumber finds three different faucets dripping in your home at a steady rate, the loss of water can easily add up to about 6 litres of water a day. Even though this may not appear to be much, at this annual rate, you are losing 2190 litres. Also, when you do the maths for your water bill, you may be surprised at the cost. Simply put, just a small constant drip of water leaking out of your faucet is money going down the drain.
Conclusion
Water wasted from a leaky tap can waste up to 2 gallons of water per day, which adds up to a lot of water wasted over the course of a month. Not only does this waste water, but it also leaves you with a significantly larger water bill at the end of the month.
So, if you are looking to find a residential plumber to help you with stopping these leaks as quickly as possible, contact Melbourne 24 Hour Plumbing at 1300 931 834 today. Our team of experts are highly recommended for a wide range of plumbing services, including fixing leaky faucets inside of the home.