plumbing Problems

Leaking or Dripping Tap

A dripping tap wastes water (up to 5,500 litres per year!), increases bills, and the constant drip can be maddening. The good news: it's usually an easy fix.

📋 Routine - Plan Ahead

Diagnosis Solutions Prevention FAQs

Common Causes

Worn washer (most common cause)

Damaged O-ring

Corroded valve seat

Worn ceramic disc (in mixer taps)

High water pressure damaging seals

Limescale buildup in hard water areas

Signs of Tap Problems

⚠️

Constant drip when tap is fully closed

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Water dripping from base of tap

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Tap difficult to turn

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Tap handle feels loose

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Squeaking noise when turning tap

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Water coming from behind the tap

🚨 What Happens If You Ignore This?

A dripping tap wastes up to 5,500 litres of water per year - that's around £18 on a metered bill. The drip can also cause staining and limescale buildup in sinks.

Diagnosing Your Dripping Tap

Identify Tap Type

Traditional taps have separate hot/cold handles and use washers. Mixer taps with single lever usually have ceramic cartridges. This affects the repair approach.

Locate the Drip

Dripping from spout when closed = washer or cartridge. Dripping from base = O-ring. Dripping from behind = supply connection.

Check Both Taps

If both hot and cold drip (on traditional taps), both washers likely need replacing. Single handle mixers only need one cartridge.

⚠️ Call a Professional If You Notice:

•You're not confident isolating the water supply
•It's a mixer tap with complex cartridge
•The tap is old and parts may be seized
•Water is leaking behind the tap (supply issue)
•You want the tap replaced entirely
•Multiple taps have problems

Solutions

🔧 DIY Solution

Difficulty: moderate

1
Turn off water supply at isolation valve under sink or main stopcock
2
Turn tap on to release residual water
3
Remove decorative cap on handle and unscrew handle
4
Use an adjustable spanner to remove the headgear (inner mechanism)
5
Remove old washer and replace with new one (available at hardware stores)
6
Reassemble in reverse order
7
Turn water back on and test

👷 Professional Solution

We carry a range of washers, O-rings, and cartridges. For mixer taps or if parts are seized, professional service is faster and avoids potential damage.

Typical Cost:DIY: £2-£10 for washer/O-ring. Professional: £60-£120 including parts. New tap installation: £120-£250

Time to Fix:DIY: 30-60 minutes. Professional: 20-30 minutes

Call 07459 345456

How to Extend Tap Life

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Don't overtighten taps when closing - this damages washers

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In hard water areas (like London), clean limescale from aerators

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Replace washers at first sign of dripping - delays make it worse

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Consider upgrading to ceramic disc taps - they last longer

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If water pressure is very high, consider a pressure reducing valve

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions about our services.

A tap dripping once per second wastes about 5,500 litres per year. At London water rates, that's around £18 annually on a metered supply - plus the environmental impact.

If the tap is over 15-20 years old, corroded, or needs frequent repairs, replacement is often better value. Modern taps use ceramic cartridges that last much longer than rubber washers.

Mixer taps are more complex than traditional taps. The cartridge replacement requires specific parts for your tap model. If you can identify the make/model and source parts, DIY is possible. Otherwise, call us.

Possible causes: wrong size washer, damaged valve seat (requires reseating), or the tap needs O-rings as well as washers. Persistent drips after washer changes need professional diagnosis.

Still have questions? We're here to help.

Still Having Problems?

If you've tried the DIY solutions and still have issues, or if you'd prefer a professional to handle it from the start, we're here to help.

Call 07459 345456 Request Quote

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