A leaking tap is a very common problem that is often underestimated.
A tap leaking water, in fact, is not only a nuisance concerning the dripping, but in the long run it can also cause problems on the bill!
Furthermore, a bathroom tap ware that leaks continuously is not only a waste of water for the environment, but in the long run it can also compromise the functionalities of the tap and lead to operating problems.
Repairing a leaking tap is a small ordinary maintenance operation, such as unclogging the toilet, which can be completed with little effort by equipping oneself with only a few tools and a small dose of manual skills.
But before seeing how to fix a leaking tap, let's see what the most common causes are
Why does a tap leak water?
A tap can leak water for various reasons that can depend both on the components of the tap and on other factors such as, for example, the hardness of the water which causes high limescale.
First, however, it is necessary to better determine how the problem presents itself in order to get an idea of what needs to be replaced and where to look to solve the problem.
In general, if the tap leaks water from above, that is at the level of the aerator mouth, it is probable that there is a problem at the level of efficiency of the gaskets.
If, on the other hand, the tap drips at the base, then there could be a problem at the level of the cartridge which will have to be replaced or repaired.
How to repair a leaking tap based on the type of mixer
On the market there are different types of mixer that feature very different component characteristics from each other.
Furthermore, these different types of taps can fail for different reasons and have internal damage of different severities.
Let's see together what types of mixers exist and how to repair them in a simple and effective way.
In general, taps can be divided into four categories:
- Compression tap: they feature separate hot and cold water knobs
- Cartridge tap: it features a central lever for the regulation of hot and cold water. Inside it has a cartridge that regulates the water flow
- Ball tap: taps with a single central lever that features a ball valve inside that controls the water flow
- Ceramic disc tap: taps with a single central lever that features a ceramic disc that brakes the cartridge.
For all types of tap, make sure first to close the water valve to avoid unpleasant water leaks. Furthermore, make sure to close the basin pop-up drain to prevent some screw or other component from ending up in the drain pipe.
Let's now see together how to best repair each type of tap
Compression tap
Compression taps are relatively simple to dismantle and usually do not feature components too complex to assemble or dismantle.
For a better check, repeat these steps for each of the two knobs.
- Step 1: Remove the cover cap (generally red or blue in color) to uncover the screw that will allow you to dismantle the decorative knobs. Some taps feature a snap-on cap. Help yourself with a flat-tipped screwdriver to lift the cap.
- Step 2: Remove the decorative knobs. At this point, the tap body held in place by a nut screw should be visible. If your tap model features a chromed ring nut, make sure to remove it before continuing. Help yourself with a tongue-and-groove plier and a rag to prevent the ring nut from getting ruined.
- Step 3: Unscrew the nut holding the tap body firm so as to let the tap stem slip out and be able to work more comfortably.
- Step 4: Check the condition of the components that could cause the water leak. A first circle at about half of the stem body called an o-ring and the condition of the gaskets located at the bottom of the tap stem.
- Step 5: Assemble the tap and make sure that the water leak has disappeared.
Cartridge tap
Cartridge taps are very simple to dismantle and allow for a very effective and intuitive maintenance.
- Step 1: Remove the temperature cap (generally half red and half blue in color) or the cover of the screw holding the knob. Help yourself with a flat-tipped screwdriver and gently remove the cap or cover.
- Step 2: Unscrew and remove the knob to uncover the cartridge held by the nut screw.
- Step 3: Unscrew the nut and remove the cartridge from the tap to be able to work better. Also in this case check the quality of the o-ring and the gasket.
- Step 4: Replace the o-ring and gasket. In case the wear level is very high, you can choose to replace the entire gasket or use vinegar: immerse the cartridge in a glass of vinegar and let it act for a few hours, in this way you will succeed in removing the limescale.
- Step 5 : Assemble the components and verify that the water leaks have disappeared.
Ceramic disc tap
The ceramic disc tap features the same configuration as the cartridge tap with the difference that it features a ceramic disc above the cartridge at the level of the knob.
Follow the previous steps to remove the knob and uncover the cartridge.
- Remove the ceramic disc helping yourself with a tongue-and-groove plier if necessary and take care of its cleaning. In many cases, only cleaning the ceramic disc is sufficient to solve the problem
- Finally reassemble everything and check if the problem persists.
Ball tap
Ball taps feature a more complicated internal configuration and need a specific maintenance kit with suitable tools to be able to be dismantled and reassembled adequately.
- Step 1: Unscrew the mixer and remove the tap knob
- Step 2: Helping yourself with a pair of pliers, remove the cap and the cover that cover the tap body.
- Step 3: After having removed the cap and cover, you will find yourself in front of the tap cam (that is the ball that regulates the water flow) held by a nut screw. Loosen the screw and remove the tap cam.
- Step 4: Remove the washer and ball together with the cam
- Step 5: Use tweezers present in the kit to replace gaskets, washers, and o-rings located at the base of the cam, at the bottom.
- Step 5: Reassemble everything and make sure that there are no water leaks.
