Why You Should Never Ignore A Dripping Tap
Why You Should Never Ignore a Dripping Tap
The slow, rhythmic drip of a leaking tap is so common it's easy to tune out. But that quiet drip is costing you money, wasting water, and — if left long enough — potentially causing damage. Here's why it's always worth fixing.
How Much Water Does a Dripping Tap Waste?
A tap dripping once per second wastes approximately 30 litres per day, or around 10,000 litres per year. A faster drip — two or three times per second — can waste 50–100 litres per day. At NSW water rates, that's $50–$200 per year, per tap, going straight down the drain. If you have two or three dripping taps, the cost adds up quickly.
The Damage a Dripping Tap Can Cause
Beyond the water waste, a dripping tap causes ongoing damage. Constant moisture in the sink or basin causes mineral deposits and staining that can be difficult to remove. A drip into a bath or shower can cause rust staining and damage to enamel or acrylic surfaces. Under a kitchen sink, a slow drip from a tap connection can cause mould, soft cabinetry, and structural damage over time.
What Causes a Dripping Tap?
Most dripping taps are caused by a worn washer, O-ring, or cartridge inside the tap body. Every time you turn the tap off, the washer is compressed against a valve seat — over time, the rubber hardens, deforms, or perishes, and a seal is no longer formed. In mixer taps, a worn ceramic cartridge is usually the culprit. Both are inexpensive parts and a standard repair.
How Much Does It Cost to Fix?
A washer replacement is one of the simplest and most affordable plumbing repairs. Most dripping taps are fixed in under 30 minutes for a straightforward callout fee. Replacing a mixer cartridge takes slightly longer but is still a quick job. The cost is almost always far less than the water being wasted — and it prevents the tap from getting worse and potentially causing more damage.
Dripping Tap Driving You Mad?
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