Why Do I Have a Leaking Kitchen Mixer Tap?
A leaking kitchen mixer tap can become a real pain. It wastes water, drives up your bills and plays havoc with your daily routine, especially when washing dishes or cooking.
Whether it’s a drip from the tap spout or water pooling around the base, these leaks usually mean worn-out parts like O-rings, ceramic cartridges or tap washers. Leave it unrepaired though, and you run the risk of turning what started as a small issue into one that is harder and potentially more expensive to fix.
Understanding the common causes of a dripping mixer tap and knowing either how to fix it or when to call a licensed plumber is key to a smooth-running kitchen. But a swift and effective fix of your leaking kitchen tap is the best way to get it working again and prevent future leaks with minimal fuss.
What is a Mixer Tap?
For those perhaps unfamiliar with the term, a mixer tap is a popular choice for modern kitchens. One you’ve likely seen and used without realising it. They combine cold and hot water into one spout for easy temperature control.
Unlike your traditional separate hot and cold water taps with their individual spouts and handles, a kitchen mixer tap allows you to mix the two streams with a simple turn of the tap handle. They feature several essential internal components like O-rings, rubber washers and a ceramic disc cartridge that enable smooth operation and a watertight seal.
Mixer taps are designed for convenience; they make tasks such as washing dishes or filling the sink infinitely easier. However, worn-out parts or mineral build-up can disrupt the water flow and cause issues like leaks. Knowing how mixer taps work will help you identify and fix common problems.
Common Causes of Leaking Mixer Taps
There are several common reasons you might find yourself with a leaking kitchen mixer tap, most of which come down to worn-out or damaged parts like the tap seat. Identifying the cause is the first step to fixing the issue. Here are the usual suspects behind a leaking tap:
- Worn-out O-ring: These small rubber seals can wear out over time and let water escape from the tap body or base.
- Faulty ceramic cartridge: If this internal component is damaged it can disrupt the water flow and cause leaks.
- Loose or damaged tap spout: A loose mixer spout can drip water.
- Mineral build-up: Hard water can build up inside the tap and affect the seal.
- Faulty washer: Rubber washers inside the tap can wear out and drip or leak.
Knowing these causes will help you diagnose and fix a leaking mixer tap before further damage and future leaks.
Signs Your Leaking Tap Needs Fixing
A leaking kitchen mixer tap will often give you warning signs that it needs attention. Spot these red flags early to save yourself from costly repairs and further damage. Here are the common signs your kitchen tap may be in need of repair:
- It’s dripping: Even when turned off, your dripping tap spout wastes water. It typically means internal parts of the kitchen tap have worn out.
- There are leaks at the base: Water pooling around the tap body or base generally means faulty O-rings or a loose retaining nut.
- You’ve got stiff or loose handles: Difficulty moving the tap handle smoothly means wear in the ceramic cartridge or grub screw.
- Your water pressure is playing up: Weak or uneven water flow means blockages or failing tap components.
- The water temperature is inconsistent: Trouble balancing hot and cold water streams means there is likely damage to the mixer tap’s internal cartridge.
Spot these signs coming from your mixer tap early to quickly fix the problem. It’s your best shot at getting your tap back to normal and preventing further dilemmas.
How To Fix a Leaking Mixer Tap
Fixing a leaking mixer tap can be intimidating but with the right tools and steps you can usually do it yourself. Follow these steps to fix common mixer tap leaks:
- Turn off the water supply: Use the isolation valves under the sink to turn off hot and cold water.
- Disassemble the kitchen tap: Loosen the tap handle using an Allen key or flat head screwdriver to get to the internal parts.
- Inspect for wear: Check the O-rings, ceramic cartridge and tap washer for damage or mineral build-up.
- Replace faulty parts: Replace the damaged component to get a watertight seal.
- Reassemble and test: Secure all parts, turn on the water and check the kitchen tap for any remaining leaks.
By following these steps you can fix most mixer tap leaks and get it back to normal without delays or future leaks.
Call a Licensed Plumber
Of course, not all of us are blessed with the DIY gene. Therefore deferring your leaking kitchen mixer tap fix to call a licensed plumber can help prevent any additional damage and avoidable costly repairs.
While minor issues like replacing an O-ring or washer can be a relatively simple DIY fix, persistent leaks or complex problems will require professional help. If your mixer tap continues to drip after repairs, your problems may lie deeper in the plumbing system or be water pressure-related.
A professional plumber will also do the repairs with the right tools to protect your plumbing system and prevent future leaks or water wastage. So if you’re at all in doubt about your DIY prowess, always leave it to the experts.
How to Stop Future Leaks Before They Occur
Preventing future leaks in your kitchen mixer tap requires consistent maintenance and being mindful of usage.
Start by checking the condition of your tap’s parts, like the O-ring, washers and ceramic cartridges. If they’re in good nick, then great. If not, replace those worn-out parts ASAP to prevent a persistent leak from getting worse. When you’re turning the tap handle, don’t use excessive force as this can damage the internal parts and affect the watertight seal.
Install a pressure regulator to maintain consistent water pressure. This will lower the strain on your plumbing system and mixer tap. Clean the tap spout and internal parts regularly to remove mineral build-up that can cause blockages or leaks.
These simple steps will get you smooth operation and minimal repairs in the future.
Keep Your Kitchen Mixer Tap Leak Free
On the surface, a leaking kitchen mixer tap may seem like a minor problem. But if you want to save water, lower your bills and avoid expensive repairs, you’re best off fixing it as soon as you can.
Knowing the common causes of mixer tap leaks from worn-out O-rings to a faulty ceramic cartridge will allow you to fix small problems before they escalate. While some repairs can be done with the right tools, calling a licensed plumber will ensure complex problems are fixed professionally and safely.
Regular maintenance will prevent leaks in the future and get your mixer tap running smoothly. By being proactive you can protect your plumbing system and keep enjoying a leak-free kitchen tap for years to come.
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