Tap repair: small problem, worth fixing

A dripping tap is one of those things that’s easy to ignore.

Until you hear it at 2am.

Or notice it’s been dripping for weeks.

Or realise the tap that used to work perfectly now needs a very particular combination of twisting, lifting and persuading just to turn off properly.

The good news is that most tap problems are relatively straightforward to diagnose and repair.

And fixing them early can save water, prevent further wear and get everything working the way it should again.

What are the signs that a tap needs repairing?

A drip is the obvious one, but taps can develop a few different problems.

You might notice:

• A tap that continues dripping after you turn it off

• Water leaking from around the base or handle

• A handle that feels stiff, loose or difficult to move

• Poor or uneven water flow

• A tap that makes unusual noises

• Difficulty getting the water to turn off completely

• Hot or cold water not behaving as expected

Sometimes the problem develops slowly.

A tap might work perfectly well for years before seals, cartridges or other internal parts begin to wear.

Why does a tap start dripping?

It depends on the type of tap.

Traditional taps often use washers and seals, while many modern mixer taps use ceramic cartridges or other internal mechanisms to control the water.

Those components are used every day, so over time they can wear, become damaged or stop sealing properly.

Hard water can also contribute to problems by allowing limescale to build up around moving parts.

The important thing is that a dripping tap doesn’t necessarily mean the whole tap needs replacing.

Often, repairing or replacing the faulty component is all that’s required.

Is a dripping tap really wasting much water?

It can.

One drip doesn’t look particularly significant, but a tap that continues dripping throughout the day is continuously sending clean water straight down the drain.

And if it happens to be a hot-water tap, you may also be wasting some of the energy used to heat that water.

That’s why we tend to look at a dripping tap as more than just an irritating noise.

It’s a small efficiency problem that’s usually worth putting right.

Repair or replace?

Not every faulty tap needs to go in the bin.

If the tap itself is in good condition, repairing the internal components can often be the most sensible option.

There are times when replacement makes more sense , particularly if a tap is heavily corroded, repeatedly failing, difficult to source parts for or simply past its best.

We’ll look at what’s actually wrong before recommending either option.

Because replacing something that can be repaired isn’t particularly efficient either.

What about low pressure or poor flow?

A tap that isn’t flowing properly may not actually have a problem with the tap itself.

Reduced flow can sometimes be caused by:

• limescale;

• blocked aerators;

• isolation valves;

• pipework;

• water pressure;

• or another part of the plumbing system.

So, much like a cold radiator doesn’t automatically mean you need a Powerflush, poor flow doesn’t automatically mean you need a new tap.

Finding the cause first usually leads to the better solution.

Small jobs are still worth doing properly

A tap is something you probably use dozens of times a day without thinking about it.

And that’s exactly how it should be.

No dripping. No leaking. No wrestling with the handle. No wondering whether you’ve managed to turn it off properly.

If one of your taps isn’t behaving the way it should, talk to the Westflow team.

We’ll work out what’s causing the problem, explain the options and get things working properly again.