How Much is a Leaky Tap Costing You?

Leaking taps waste hundreds of litres of water every year which is a costly error not just for your budget, but for the environment as well. As you lie in bed and knowingly ignore that dripping sound, you are actually letting your money go down the drainpipe. Australia is one of the driest continents in the world and we all know how important water conservation efforts are. The big question, however, is just how much does a dripping faucet cost you?

A leaky tap that drips twice a minute will waste roughly 260 litres of water annually. If we were to compare that to a bottle of water, it would be around $900 worth of supposedly clean drinking water that’s gone to waste. Such leakage problems can add up over time and on average, these rapidly trickling taps can cost you anywhere from $60 to $200 each year. If every Australian household had a dripping tap we would waste about 1.1 billion litres of water annually and the total costs are just mind-boggling to say the least.

Dripping taps can be tough to locate

It’s a great idea to look for dripping taps both in the bathroom and kitchen around your home every now and then. If you happen to spot one, it’s good practice to repair it immediately or contact a plumber for assistance. But not all leaks are visible to the naked eye, making it even more difficult to diagnose the cause of the leak. While a pool of water around a tap is one sign, there are a few other methods of identifying them. One way is to cover a towel around the tap or hang a plastic bag under to determine if it’s leaking badly.

Fortunately, fixing a leaking tap is not as difficult as it seems. You can most definitely do it on your own or at the very least, minimise the leak until the plumber arrives. Worn-out rubber washers are typically the root cause of dripping taps. To fix a leaking tap, you simply change the rubber washers and replace any o-rings and valves along with it. These parts are readily available at any hardware store or at online stores like Amazon.

If you’re looking to repair a leaky tap on your own, then it’s wise to purchase a tap repair kit. This kit comes with everything you need to address a leaky tap and it even comes with detailed instructions to guide you on the repair. Best of all, you’ll be saving plenty of money by tackling it on your own instead of hiring a plumber.

Of course, this only applies to DIY enthusiasts who are confident enough with their repair skills. Nothing beats the expertise of a professional plumber and if you don’t want to deal with the headaches associated with leaky taps, then it’s well worth contacting a professional and let them take care of the work for you. Property Plumbing & Gas are leaky taps and toilet repair specialists in Perth and can help assist with any of your issues. Either way, addressing a leaky tap sooner than later will make a huge difference in terms of not only your water bills but your water conservation efforts as well.

How about pipeline leaks?

Pipeline leakages, although much less apparent or bothersome, are far more significant and costly than a leaky tap. Typically, a pipeline leakage the size of a small hole can potentially waste litres of water in 1 day. Pipeline leaks are a serious problem as they can cause a whole host of other issues. Water coming from the pipeline can seep through wooden floors and lead to structural damage over the long term. If the leak isn’t fixed, the wood can deteriorate and rot due to repeated soaking.

If it’s situated underground or in an area you can not see, you might not be able to diagnose a pipeline leak. While it can be difficult to identify the leaking area, there are a couple of telltale signs that point to a pipeline leak. Make sure you watch out for the following:

• A mouldy scent under sinks in cupboards (typically an indicator of a broken tube, a little pipeline leakage, or a leakage at the joint of a hose pipe)
• Water in your yard that runs down the street
• High water bills compared to the previous month’s billing
• Water discolourations in ceilings or wall surfaces
• Visible mould and mildew growth
• Wet spots inside or outside your home

The costs of fixing a leaky tap

Depending on the severity of the leak, expect to pay anywhere from $60-$120 for minor repairs and up to $250-$500 for major fixes like installing a new shower head or basin tap. While the price of a plumbing job may vary depending on your location, you can get a pretty good estimate by comparing quotes from numerous plumbers. Don’t hesitate to ask your friends and family members for recommendations and make sure to read customer feedback to determine which plumber you should hire.

At the end of the day, fixing a leaky tap is better than just letting your money go down the drain. If you find yourself dealing with such a problem, contact a reputable professional immediately to help conserve water and prevent further damages from manifesting in your home.