A leaky tap can surely be annoying, and it’s one of the most common reasons to call out a plumber in Melbourne. With the average price of water in Victoria having gone up about 2.6% to $1,085 (metro) or $1,311 (regional), that constant dripping from your kitchen or bathroom sink can eat away at your wallet if you don’t act quickly.
What should you do if you’ve got one or more leaky taps in your home? If you’re renting or leasing the property, call the landlord or property management company. If you’re a property owner yourself, then here’s what you can do:
Turn Off the Water Supply
Before doing anything, make sure to turn off the mains water supply. The location of the valve will differ depending on your home, but generally, most newer homes tend to have the water shut-off valve near the front, facing the street. It is most often found next to the water meter
For older homes, it’s sometimes found on the side of the home facing the rear garden or perhaps even indoors, e.g. in a utility or laundry room.
Once you’ve found the valve, turn it in a clockwise direction (“to the right”) to turn it off. The valve can be stiff or seemingly stuck in place, so you may need tools to turn it, or it may be better to call a plumber and let them handle it if you are unsure.
Inspect the Leaky Faucet
With the water supply turned off, it should be perfectly fine to go and take a more in-depth look at the tap. First, plug up the drain. If you’re going to remove any screws or washers, you don’t want them falling down into the drain.
Now, depending on the type of sink you have, you should be able to remove the decorative cap of the faucet using a screwdriver or an allen key. You should be able to see the components once the cap/handle is removed. From this point on, you should be able to identify the cause of the leak if it is mechanical in nature, i.e due to your tap and not due to external causes.
The Most Common Reasons for Leaky Taps
There are a few reasons why a tap might be leaking, and no, that doesn’t include accidentally leaving the tap turned on just by a smidge. In some circumstances – and mostly in rural areas – the water might be hard or have excessive minerals, which can cause a buildup in the tap and possibly lead to a leak.
Most of the time, however, it is from a worn-out washer or O-ring. The valve seat could also have an exposed or rusted-out screw hole that is letting water drip out. In the case of washers and O-rings, remove the part and check to see if it’s damaged. It could be hardened and cracked, in which case you’ll need to swap it for a similar component at your local bricolage shop. In the case of rust, you may wish to consider replacing the tap altogether.
A loose or faulty part could also be to blame, and it could be just a matter of tightening up the component or having it replaced.
When in doubt, always call a plumber to resolve the matter quickly and to your satisfaction. A qualified and experienced plumber in Melbourne can help you with everything from leaky sinks to clogs, toilet issues, showerheads, and much more.
FastnLocal Plumbing
Call us today at FastnLocal Plumbing for quick, reliable plumbing repairs and maintenance in Melbourne.