Water leakage can happen anywhere, including your home. If you hear your kitchen tap dripping even when no one has been using it, then you have a leaking tap problem. Listening to the sound of dripping water on repeat in your kitchen sink can be frustrating. But the good news is that it’s not always complicated. Tap repair, water leaks, and leak detection are three of the in-demand plumbing services in Perth. It’s a common occurrence in many homes in WA, wherever those taps may be, such as the bathroom, kitchen, and garden.
Where Is The Tap Leaking?
In most situations, it is easy to detect where the problem lies. You can hear water dripping in the kitchen so that it may be the tap in that space. But there are times when the leak is more than what you can see. It may have started in the pipes, although you will not notice this issue right away. Typically, the bigger problem appears when you have already repaired the tap.
Leaks can start anywhere, and unfortunately, you cannot stop them from occurring. But it does not mean you cannot tackle the problem. By knowing the signs and symptoms, you can address the leak before it gets worse.
In your Perth home, leaks can happen anywhere, including all the areas where you have a tap. You should check those taps regularly and find if there are leaks. How do you know the dripping faucet is anything but normal? Here are some clues:
- Water bill increases are not usually out of the ordinary. Your bills are often predictable, so you know when something is wrong. If you suspect that you have a water leak, one of the things that you can do is to check your water bill. According to a survey, Perth households use about 340 litres of water per day. It may increase during the summer when you have to water your garden regularly. Small leaks waste a lot more water, so you should look at your water bill to check any hidden issue.
- Aside from the water bill, you should also monitor the water meter. Turn off all the taps in the house and note the figures you see in the meter. After an hour, check again to see if those numbers changed. If they did, you surely have a water leak problem somewhere in the house.
- You want a lush lawn just like everyone else. However, if there is a spot where the grass is greener than the rest, you have a leak problem. That area will usually have grass that grows faster, so you can easily see where to check. It indicates the spot of the problematic water line. When it’s a profuse leak, puddles may even be visible on the surface.
- Inspect the fixtures and appliances around the house. Do you see dry sinks in the bathroom or kitchen, or do you see puddles anywhere? Look for puddles beneath the water heater, washing machine, dishwasher, tub, and toilet.
- Have you heard of the dye test on toilets? It is an effective way to check for leaks. Most leaks actually occur in the bathroom. Luckily, you can detect them on your own. The rubber stopper or the toilet’s flapper can become brittle after several years, leading to water trickling from the tank to the bowl. Put a few drops of food dye in the toilet tank. You will see colour in the bowl in about five minutes, which means that the toilet tank is indeed leaking.
- Water discolouration also results from tap leaks. It signifies that water is leaking behind the drywall, and now the front side is soaked. Water stains are typically yellowish or brownish, so look for discolouration in walls or ceilings.
- If you see your wallpaper bulging or paint bubbles, you have wet wallboard. Wallboard swelling is a more complex problem, which means you need to replace it due to the extent of water damage.
- If your home smells musty, it’s an indication that there is mould growth. Black splotches on the walls are also a sign of mould because of the water leak.
What Steps to Take to Fix My Leaky Tap?
Every drop of water is precious. But you can lose 30 to 50 per cent of water because of water leaks. Aside from the higher water bills, you could face worse problems, such as mould growth and damaged walls, ceilings, or even the foundation.
Sometimes, the leakage is due to an ageing home, but other times the problem began right after the installation of the tap. The incorrect size of the tap washer used can cause leaks. The washer may have been damaged or worn out, although the jumper valve may be the primary reason for the leakage. Other parts of the tap, such as the O-ring and valve seating, may be old and need replacement.
Those details may seem complex, especially if you are not a handyman yourself. But one easy way to fix the leak is by taking out all the parts of the faucet. Here’s how:
- Make sure that you shut off the water supply before proceeding.
- Close the drain to make sure you don’t lose any small screws from the tap.
- Depending on the sink type you have, you will need to remove the body of the tap to get to the problem. But most of the time, you only have to remove the handle. Ceramic disc faucets require you to remove the set screw and then the retaining nut.
- As you remove the parts one by one, inspect them. Make sure to clean them before placing them back in their original spots. If you notice signs of obvious wear and tear, like a flatter washer, replace them with the right parts.
- Reassemble the tap and test if water flows like normal. Before turning the water supply on, you should have the tap in the “on” position. Doing so ensures that there is less pressure applied. Also, turn the water back on as slowly as possible.
Sometimes, fixing is not the answer. You need to replace certain parts for the leak to stop. But there are times when DIY repairs are not recommended. Plumbing is often complicated. Trying to solve the leak without prior experience can quickly worsen the problem.
Instead of repairing the leak on your own, you should call water leak repair specialists in Perth. Whether the issue is the tap washer, spindle, or something difficult to detect, a plumber can provide the best and most reliable solution. Perth Local Plumbing & Gas will save you from the stress of dealing with a leaky tap. Save time, money, and effort by calling us to fix the leakage for you.
