Running Toilets, Leaking Taps & Hidden Drips: What You Might Be Ignoring Now That Could Cost You Later

It can be hard to stay on top of home maintenance sometimes, and most of us have a few little jobs that need sorting – but never quite get around to.

However, there are some household issues that shouldn’t be put off until later. Plumbing is one of the areas that should never be ignored, as even small issues can quickly turn into major problems. Leave it too long, and you could be looking at some seriously costly repairs.

Here, we’ll take a look at some of the most common plumbing problems you should never ignore, and how to deal with them.

Running Toilets

Noticed a consistent sound of running water from your toilet after the flush has completed? Even if it’s only a few drips or a trickle, this indicates a problem.

A running toilet can waste a surprisingly large amount of water. In fact, it can be as much as 400 litres or 5 full bathtubs a day. If you’re on a water meter, this can mean sky-high bills. Even if you’re not, this waste of water is bad for the environment.

How to fix it:

First of all, you need to double-check whether or not your toilet is really running. An easy test is to put a few drops of food colouring in the tank and see whether it makes its way into the bowl over the next few minutes without flushing.

Once the problem is confirmed, the quickest and easiest way to deal with it is to call a plumber. They can identify the cause – which may be either the flush valve or the fill valve – and implement a solution.

Leaking Taps

Leaking taps aren’t just annoying – they’re another waste of water, which could be costing you money in the long run. If you ignore this issue, it could also get worse. Something that starts off needing a simple fix, like replacing a washer, could turn into a more costly repair or even mean the whole tap or some pipework needs replacing.

How to fix it:

If you have the DIY knowledge and you feel confident, you can attempt to investigate this problem yourself. Turn off the mains water supply and run off any excess water through the pipes by turning the taps on.

Then you can carefully disassemble the tap and check for any worn parts. Where the leak is coming from can give you some clues – leaks from the spout usually require a washer to be replaced, while leaks from beneath the handle indicate that the valve O-ring needs replacing. These parts are easy and cheap to source, and simple to fit if you know what you’re doing.

If unsure, it’s best to call a plumber. You don’t want to risk doing any further damage to the tap.

Hidden Drips

The most worrying – and potentially expensive – household plumbing problem is a hidden leak. If you don’t know about it or can’t find it, there’s a risk that a lot of damage can be done over time.

You may be alerted to a hidden drip by one or more of the following:

• A damp or musty smell, often behind or under cupboards
• Unexplained high water bills
• A drop in boiler pressure – this can point to a leaky radiator
• Visible signs of dampness, such as mould, mildew, or discolouration
• A dripping sound.

If you want to be sure, there’s an easy test you can do. If you’re on a water meter, turn off all water-using appliances in the house and make a note of the water meter reading. Wait at least an hour, then check the water meter reading again. If it’s moved on, this suggests you have a leak somewhere.

How to fix it:

You may struggle to find this kind of leak on your own, as it may be happening somewhere inaccessible, such as under a floor or behind a wall. You could potentially spend weeks searching for it and never locate the problem – and your home will be suffering damage all the while.

So the best solution is to take immediate action and call in either a plumber or a leak detection specialist. They may be able to use tools such as damp meters and thermal imaging cameras to locate the source of the problem – and get it fixed, fast.