Leaky taps are one of the peskiest plumbing issues that you can experience in your home. In addition to wasting water and increasing your domestic utility bills, they can encourage mould growth and cause significant structural damage to your residential property. 

The good news is that problems with a leaking tap can be resolved by either repairing the problematic tap itself or replacing the entire tap assembly. But why do tap leaks occur in the first place?

Many factors can cause taps to leak. If you want to become acquainted with some of the usual culprits behind leaky taps, continue on.

Your tap has come loose

Taps comprise many individual components, including O-rings, washers, bolts and nuts that are assembled together to provide homeowners and their families with leak-free plumbing fixtures. That said, it's not uncommon for residential taps to come loose due to inadequate tightening during assembly or years of use and abuse.

If you have a tap that is leaking due to loose parts, you can fix the problem by simply tightening the loose components with a tap wrench.

Your tap is worn out

Taps are not meant to last forever. They undergo wear and tear from normal use and will have to be replaced when they reach the end of their lifespan. The more you use a tap, the faster it will wear out and start leaking. Taps that leak due to general wear and tear will require a replacement.

Tap longevity not only varies depending on tap usage patterns but other factors such as tap construction quality, as well. This explains why certain brands of taps tend to last longer than others when subjected to the same usage patterns.

Your domestic water pressure level is too high

All taps in your home have a water pressure rating that determines their minimum and maximum flow rate. Flow rates that fall below the minimum water pressure limit are considered low water pressure while anything above the maximum pressure limit translates to high water pressure.

While you may enjoy water gushing out of your taps at high pressure, excessive water pressure can lead to leaky taps. Once you've fixed your leaking taps, you'll need to use them within their specified water pressure rating.

Leaky taps are a residential plumbing issue that you can't afford to ignore due to the serious problems they can cause. If you have dripping taps in your home, it's best to schedule a professional tap repair service as soon as you can.