The vast majority of Kanwal homes were built between the 1970s and mid-1980s. Original tapware
from that era — typically brass-bodied with rubber washers and fibre packing — is
now 40–50 years old. Rubber components degrade, valve seats wear, and corrosion inside the
brass body is common. With 36% of Kanwal homes owned outright and a median resident age of 44,
many households have long-term residents who've lived with a slow drip for years.
Worn washer or O-ring 40–50 year old rubber degraded
#1 cause
Failed ceramic cartridge mixer taps from the 1990s–2000s
Very
common
Corroded valve seat worn seat can't seal against new washer
Older
brass
Water pressure fluctuations Central Coast Council supply spikes
Accelerates
wear
A plumber will diagnose the leak source — spout drip, base leak, or handle leak —
and determine whether repair or replacement is the smarter call:
Washer replacement new rubber washer & re-seat valve if
needed
30–60
min
Ceramic cartridge swap remove old cartridge, fit new one
30–60
min
Full tapware replacement new mixer tap, supply & install
1–2
hrs
Pressure limiting valve protects tapware from pressure spikes
1–2
hrs
Washer / O-ring replacement
$80–$200
30–60 min
Ceramic cartridge replacement
$150–$350
30–60 min
New tapware supply & install
$200–$500+
1–2 hrs
Call-out fee (Central
Coast)
$80–$150
Business hrs
A single dripping tap wastes up to 20,000 litres per
year. Fixing even one tap typically pays for itself in water savings within
6–12 months at Central Coast Council rates.
Kanwal's 1970s–80s housing stock means a significant proportion of homes still have
original or early-replacement tapware approaching the end of its useful life. With 26.6% of
residents aged 65 or over and many long-term owner-occupiers, it's common for older tapware to
be left in place well past its practical life.
Original 1970s–80s tapware
Replace rather
than repair
1990s–2000s mixer taps
Ceramic
cartridge replacement
Outdoor garden taps
UV-degraded
rubber seals common
Rental properties
Landlord
obligation — fix promptly
