A tap usually keeps dripping after you turn it off because the part that seals the water inside is worn or damaged. In older taps this is often the rubber washer, while in newer taps it is often the ceramic cartridge. Limescale, a damaged valve seat and high water pressure can also play a part.
Traditional Taps and Ceramic Disc Taps
It helps to know which kind of tap you have. Traditional taps, sometimes called compression taps, usually need several full turns to go from off to fully on. Inside, a rubber washer is pressed down onto a valve seat to stop the flow.
Ceramic disc taps usually turn only a quarter or half turn. Inside a cartridge, two ceramic discs slide over each other. When the holes line up, water flows, and when they do not, the tap is shut. The two types wear in different ways, so the cause of a drip can differ.
Common Causes of a Dripping Tap
In a traditional tap, the washer is the most common cause. Over time the rubber hardens, splits or wears thin, so it no longer seals well against the seat. Many people find they have to turn the tap tighter and tighter to stop the drip, which can wear the washer faster.
The valve seat can also become pitted or scored. If the seat is rough, even a new washer may not seal properly. In ceramic disc taps, the discs can become chipped or worn, or grit can get trapped between them, letting a steady drip through.
Limescale, O-Rings and Water Pressure
Limescale can build up on washers, seats and cartridges, stopping parts from closing fully. This is common in hard water areas. Scale can also make taps stiff to turn.
O-rings are small rubber rings that seal around the spindle or spout. When they wear, water often leaks from around the handle or the base of the spout rather than from the outlet. That kind of leak may point to a different repair from a drip at the spout.
High water pressure can put extra strain on the seals inside a tap. It may not be the only cause, but it can make a drip appear sooner or get worse. A plumber can check whether pressure is part of the problem.
Getting a Dripping Tap Sorted
A slow drip may seem minor, yet it can leave stains in the sink, waste water and, on a hot tap, waste heated water too. The fix may be as simple as a new washer or cartridge, though finding the right part for some taps can take time. If you would rather not take a tap apart yourself, our leaking tap repair service can find the cause and fit the right part.
If a tap in your home or business in Swindon will not stop dripping, give us a call on 01793 569521. We can talk through the type of tap you have and what the repair is likely to involve.