Life Hack: How to fix a dripping tap in your home — and why mending it could save you money

One Irish plumber estimates that a slowly-dripping tap can lose more than 180 litres of water a day, and if it's a hot tap then it could add hundreds of euro to your bill over the course of a year

There are simple steps homeowners can take to stop drips and save themselves both money and stress.

At best, dripping taps are annoying; the sound of droplets splashing in the distance can be grating and quickly get on your nerves. More often than not, the problem is solved by simply tightening the tap with your hand.

However, but if that drip is actually a leak, you could be looking at an expensive outcome if you don’t act quickly.

Shay Walsh Plumbing, based in Kildare, estimates that a slowly-dripping tap can lose more than 180 litres of water a day, or 66,000 litres of water over the course of a year, pointing out that if it’s a hot water tap being heated by your gas, oil, or electricity, then that water is money going straight down the drain.

“According to Electric Ireland, heating one cylinder of water (180 litres) using an immersion heater costs about €2 per day,” they estimate.

“Multiply that by 365 and you get €730 or more down the drain. If you are using an oil boiler or a wood burner, it may be a bit cheaper, but it is a lot of money to waste for something that can be easily fixed.”

While many issues with taps and pipes may need a plumber’s intervention, there are simple steps homeowners can take to stop drips from continuing and save themselves both money and stress.

Denise O'Donoghue: 'Take a sponge or cloth and remove any debris from the tap and remember to clean this area regularly.'

The bathroom experts at Vidalux have shared their top tips on what to do when you hear that telltale dripping noise in your home. They recommend checking your taps first because, in many cases, a simple cleaning or tightening is all that’s needed to solve the problem.

Common causes of dripping taps include limescale build-up on spouts, loose packing nuts, or dirty cartridges.

“Dripping taps can be a real nuisance, and many people’s first thought is to call a plumber. But the good news is you may be able to save money by tackling the problem yourself,” says Andy Ellis from Vidalux.

“Knowing where to start can be tricky. First, check whether any other taps in your home are dripping. If they are, it could indicate an issue with your water pressure rather than the tap itself.

“If the other taps are fine, inspect the dripping tap closely. A drip from the spout usually points to a problem inside the tap, while a leak around the handle is often caused by a worn seal.

“If the issue seems more complex, it’s best to call a professional to ensure the repair is done correctly.”

Here are their recommended simple ways to fix a dripping tap:

Check where the drip is coming from

The first step to fixing a dripping tap is to find out exactly where the issue is. If your tap is dripping from the spout, then the problem is likely inside the tap.

 If water leaks from outside the handle, then it could be an issue with the seal under the handle.

Clean the tap

A dripping tap can sometimes be caused by a build-up of dirt and limescale. Take a sponge or cloth and remove any debris from the tap and remember to clean this area regularly.

Tighten loose parts

Regular use can loosen parts of your tap over time, so you may need to gently tighten these again. You can do this by removing the handle and carefully tightening the packing nut underneath.

Turn the rubber washer over

Traditional taps have a rubber washer inside that creates a tight seal to prevent leaking.

If your tap is dripping it could be a sign that your rubber washer needs replacing. 

As a temporary fix, turn the rubber washer over before replacing it properly.

Replace the cartridge

More modern taps will have a single cartridge made out of plastic or ceramic instead of a rubber washer. If your tap is dripping, this may need replacing.

Check other taps in the house

If other taps around the home are also dripping this could mean there is an issue with high water pressure rather than the tap itself.