We've all heard it — the gentle drip, drip, drip of a leaking tap in the dead of night. Most people tell themselves they'll get it fixed eventually. But "eventually" has a cost, and it's higher than you'd think.
How Much Water Does a Dripping Tap Waste?
A tap dripping once per second wastes approximately 31,500 litres of water per year. That's the equivalent of 315 bathtubs full of water — gone down the drain. At Sunshine Coast water rates, that's a meaningful addition to your annual bill.
A faster drip — say, two or three times per second — can waste over 100,000 litres annually. At that point you're looking at a significant water cost on top of the plumbing repair.
What Causes a Tap to Drip?
Worn Washers
The most common cause in older-style taps. The rubber washer that presses against the seat to stop water flow wears out over time and starts to leak. A simple washer replacement fixes this, but if the tap seat is also worn or corroded, the seat itself needs to be reground or replaced.
Damaged Ceramic Discs
Most modern tapware uses ceramic disc cartridges instead of rubber washers. These are generally more durable, but they can crack or develop surface damage that allows water past. Cartridge replacement is usually straightforward.
Worn O-Rings
The O-ring seals on the tap spindle or body can deteriorate with age, causing water to seep from the base of the tap or around the handle rather than from the spout.
Corroded Valve Seat
If sediment collects on the valve seat, it can corrode the brass over time and prevent a proper seal even with a new washer.
Can You Fix a Dripping Tap Yourself?
In Queensland, some minor tap maintenance (like changing a washer) can be done without a license — but only on specific components and with strict limitations. However, any work that involves connecting or disconnecting water supply lines, or working on the internal pipework, requires a licensed plumber.
More practically, what looks like a simple washer change often reveals a damaged tap seat that needs regrinding — a job that requires proper tools. A DIY fix that doesn't address the seat will fail again within weeks.
My honest recommendation: for tapware over 10–15 years old, it's often more cost-effective to replace the entire tap rather than patch it. we can advise on what makes sense for your situation.
When Does a Dripping Tap Indicate a Bigger Problem?
Sometimes a dripping tap is a symptom, not the root cause. Watch out for:
- High water pressure causing washers to wear rapidly — a pressure-limiting valve may be needed
- Water hammer (banging pipes when taps shut off) indicating pressure issues
- Multiple taps failing simultaneously — may indicate a systemic plumbing issue
The Bottom Line
A dripping tap is rarely as minor as it appears. The repair cost is almost always far less than the water wasted and the bill that results. If you've got a dripping tap anywhere in your home, get it sorted — it's a quick job for a plumber and will pay for itself in water savings within weeks.
Got a dripping tap in Caloundra, Kawana Waters, Buderim or anywhere on the Sunshine Coast? Get a free initial quote or ask us a question — straight answers and a fair price.
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