Have you been hearing the sound of dripping water even if you turn your taps off? Drip, drip, drip – such a too-common sound can be so annoying. Always remember that even a small leak can lead to bigger plumbing problems. It can waste 3 gallons of water down the drains every day. This can add up to a hundred bucks on your water bill. As the leak grows bigger, you face more danger of water damages.
So, do I need to call a tap plumber? Are leaking taps considered a plumbing emergency?
Table of Contents
Causes of Leaking Taps
There are many reasons why your taps may be leaking. In most cases, you can fix the problem by yourself. Here are the most common causes of a leaky faucet.
Bad O-Ring
An O-ring is a mechanical gasket shaped like a 3-dimensional circle. Its main purpose is to control the flow of water on the spout of your taps. They seal the handles of the faucets in place. After regular use, the O-ring can loosen or wear out causing water to escape and leak on the faucet handle.
Broken Cartridge
A cartridge is a valve attached to the faucet handle to control water flow. It is commonly found on bathroom faucets with 2 handles. Each of the handles contains a separate cartridge. The up and down motion of the faucet handle can cause a cartridge to be broken. Once broken, it no longer has full control over the flow of water thereby resulting in a leaking faucet.
Corroded Valve Seat
The valve seat serves as the compression mechanism in a tap. It is the connection between the tap and the water spout. As water-sediment accumulates after some time, valve seats get corroded and the water compression weakens causing a leak.
High Water Pressure
If you are experiencing tap leaks during certain parts of the day, it may be because of high water pressure. The tap mechanism can no longer control the flow of water because of strong pressure. It is best to have a tap plumber check your system to avoid bigger problems.
Loose Parts
Sometimes a tap leak can be caused by loose handles, nuts, and screws. Water escapes from these gaps and tightening them can solve the problem.
Worn-Out Seals
Inside a tap is a collection of water gaskets. They are the seals that hold the water back. Like valve seats, seals can be corroded by water sediments. As they build up, they cause the seals to deform resulting in a water leak.
Worn-Out Washers
Tap washers are also rubber gaskets that control the flow of water and prevent water contamination when the tap is off. They are located under the valve seat. Most of the time, the friction between the valve seats and washers causes the washer to get deformed and wear out. As such, they lose control of the water flow and cause the tap to leak.
Are Leaking Taps Considered a Plumbing Emergency?
Leaking taps are annoying and inconvenient. But they may not constitute a plumbing emergency. In most cases, a household member can simply address such an issue. But if left unattended for a prolonged time, they can result in bigger problems and severe damages. Leaky taps can cause molds to develop inside your house. These patches can be very dangerous to your family’s health. They can also damage the interior of your home. The constant drip of water on your bathroom and kitchen can cause metal fixtures to rust. Rust can also build up on your taps and metal piping. As such, it will damage your plumbing system. Leaky faucets can also cause wood cabinets, floors, and shelving to rot. The moisture can cause the wood to crack and warp. Albeit, continuous leaks on your taps can significantly increase your water bill. So, if you want to save money, call a tap plumber to fix the leak even if it’s not a plumbing emergency.