Funny... several of my mains taps have started dripping in the last couple of weeks. In fact, everyone I talk to about it also has dripping taps. Is it a phenomena around here or is it something more general like the recent cold weather that is making the washers harder?
Colin
Perhaps the pressure has gone up now that people are no longer filling their swimming pools!
It's possibile that room temps are lower, or the water is very cold, meaning that the synthetic washers are stiffer, so when you close the tap they don't compress as much initially but slowly deform for a while after the tap is closed. After a while they reach full deformation, releasing some of the pressure applied by hand via the thread, and then let a bit of water through.
Or maybe it's condesation just inside the tap.
Or maybe all your washers are wearing out at the same time. Sooner or later it's gotta happen to a group of friends somewhere in the world, and it just happens to be you and your circle.
Or here's another idea. Water is at its maximum density at 4 Celsius. This could be the temp. at which cold water is arriving at your tap. The water left in the pipework will warm up and expand, increasing the pressure temporrarily as it forces water back into the main.
Or perhaps none of those.
W.
the last
has
something more
washers
filling their
This is my favourite explanation.
Colin
Mmm. I do notice that if I turn on my bath taps a little - sort of 'moderate flow' - after a few seconds they practically turn themselves off due to presumably hot washers expanding?
Have something to add? Share your thoughts — no account required.
Ask the community — no account required