DRIPPING TAP BUT ONLY AT NIGHT OOOOOOOH. WHY IS THIS??????

[Nicetoseeyoutoseeyounice]

I had noticed that my kitchen tap, only 18 months old (mixer taps & cost a fortune) well it drips. THEN, I began to notice when I was at home all day that, hey, the tap is ok now its not dripping, BUT, what I have now noticed is that this only happening in the night time. I mentioned this and everyone thought I had gone potty so I have meticulously watched it and hey presto it is only happening at nightime. its as though it is some sort of build up after have been switched on and off all day. Am I right??? can this really happen??? and if so why????
Can anyone answer this mystery?????

 

[ajrtd]

If you had a pressure gauge fitted to the incoming main you could watch the pressure rise as the tap drips.

 

[Nicetoseeyoutoseeyounice]

Dont know what you mean????

 

[mickyg]

Pressure is generally higher at night time as people are not using water. This is why he's suggesting a gauge...personally I suggest getting the tap fixed

 

[Nicetoseeyoutoseeyounice]

Thanks for the replys (very fast), I sort of understand now. But what could be the fault with the tap???

 

[andytheplumber]

This happens quite a lot. At night time every body goes to bed and stops using the water. The pressure builds up in the mains supply, so any weak joints or ball valves normally start dripping or fail completely. Sounds like the tap washer is on its way out . If you turn on other taps when it starts dripping it should stop. If not you have a ghost. Spooky

 

[ajrtd]

Due to less water being drawn from the mains at night the pressure increases, this increase in pressure is allowing water to get by the seat and the tap to drip.

edit, boy they're quick here got to improve on my one finger typing.

 

[Nicetoseeyoutoseeyounice]

What the seat???

 

[gremlin16]

Tap seat or fu**ed washer.

 

[Nicetoseeyoutoseeyounice]

LANGUAGE !!!!!! Right so explain this. Depending who is up the latest. Sometimes one is in bed at 1am ish and the other is up at 6am making a difference of 5 hours. Someday the house is empty, we are both out at work which can mean about 8 hours. How come the tap is not dripping when I arrive home from work after not being used for so long?????

 

[ajrtd]

Just as the water pressure can drop at certain times of the day when more people in your street are using water, pre rush hour etc then when they're not using water (your household included) then the main pressure rises.

 

[Nicetoseeyoutoseeyounice]

Right now I get it so it goes on the whole road not just my house then. So definately the washer? I think it is a ceramic disc actually would this be the bit that needs replacing. ??

 

[ajrtd]

 

[Nicetoseeyoutoseeyounice]

Whats supposed to mean. Do I replace the ceramic washer. thanks again & sorry to be a pain.

 

[ajrtd]

Yes.