A dripping tap is one of the most common calls a plumber gets. It sounds small, but a steady drip adds up to many litres over a month, and it can stain basins and wear out fittings. The good news is that most leaking taps are simple to fix.

The washer has worn out

Inside a standard tap is a rubber washer that presses against a seat to stop water. Over time it hardens and wears. When it no longer seals, water slips past and drips from the spout. This is the most common cause.

The seat is damaged

If the brass seat inside the tap body is pitted or scaled, even a new washer will not seal. A plumber can regrind the seat, or replace the tap.

A worn O-ring or cartridge

If water leaks from around the handle or the base of the spout, the O-ring is the likely cause. Mixer taps and modern ceramic taps use cartridges instead of washers. A worn cartridge causes drips and stiff handles. Cartridges are usually a quick swap if you get the right one.

How to replace a washer

Turn off the water to the tap with the isolation valve underneath, or at the main. Open the tap to drain it. Remove the handle cover and screw, then the handle, then use a spanner to unscrew the bonnet. Pull out the spindle, replace the washer and O-ring, and put it back together in reverse order. Take the old parts to the hardware store so you get a match.

If anything is seized, corroded or the tap is an unusual brand, stop. Forcing it can crack the body or break a pipe in the wall.

When to call a plumber

Call a plumber if the isolation valve will not turn off, if the pipes in the wall move or leak when you touch the tap, if the tap is very old, or if you have tried a new washer and it still drips. Sometimes a new tap is cheaper than repeated repairs.

The cost of ignoring it

A tap that drips steadily can waste a lot of water over a year. It also keeps the basin wet, which can stain the surface and lead to mould. Fixing it early usually costs less than waiting.

Upgrading your taps

If you are renovating, consider water-saving taps and aerators. They cut the flow without hurting performance. We install and replace kitchen, bathroom and laundry taps, and we can supply options to suit your style and budget.

Is it worth fixing a dripping tap yourself?

Plenty of people can change a tap washer, and if the tap is simple and the isolation valve works, it is a fair job to try. The problem is that older isolation valves often do not shut off properly, or seize when you turn them, and then a ten minute job turns into a flood. Before you start, turn the valve off and open the tap to check it stops. If it does not, stop there and turn off the water at the mains.

Know what you are replacing. Taps in older homes can have washers, ceramic discs or cartridges, and the parts are not interchangeable. Take the old part to the hardware store, do not guess. If the tap is corroded, the spindle will not budge or the base is leaking, replacing the tap is a better use of your money than another repair.

What a drip actually costs you

A tap dripping once a second does not sound like much. Over a year it adds up to a lot of water, and on a hot water tap you are paying to heat it as well. Your meter and your bill will show it if you test carefully. Fix it for the money as much as for the noise.

Leaks that are not obvious cause more damage than drips you can see. If the cupboard under the sink is damp, the base of the tap is wet or a mixer feels loose, the problem might be a supply hose, a seal or a fitting under the bench. Check with a dry paper towel pressed against each joint. A trace of damp shows you where to look, and it is worth sending a photo to a plumber so they know what parts to bring.

Which tap do you have?

Before buying parts, work out what type of tap it is. Older taps with a separate hot and cold handle usually use a rubber washer on a seat. Newer ones may use a quarter turn ceramic disc. Mixers use a cartridge inside the body. A tap that drips from the spout is usually the washer, disc or cartridge. A tap that leaks around the handle is often an O-ring or packing. A tap that leaks at the base is a seal or a loose body.

If the tap is very old or the brand is unknown, replacing it can cost about the same as hunting for parts, and you end up with a tap that works properly.

Mixer taps and cartridges

Single lever mixers use a cartridge. If the lever feels loose or the spout drips, the cartridge may be worn or have grit in it. Brands differ, so note the make and model before buying a replacement. If the tap is a cheap model with no parts available, replacing it is often the practical choice.

Leaks under the sink

Check the flexible hoses and the isolation valves. A slow drip under the sink can rot a cabinet. Dry the area, wipe each joint with a tissue and see where it gets wet. Tighten gently. If a hose is kinked or corroded, replace it.

Need a plumber?

GSA Plumbing Services works across Geelong and Melbourne, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call 0401 041 103 or send us a message through the contact page and we will talk you through your options.

What to do if the tap will not stop dripping

If a new washer or cartridge does not stop the drip, the seat may be worn or scaled, or the tap body may be damaged. A plumber can reseat or replace it. If the tap is old and parts are hard to find, replacing it may be the better choice.

Turn off the isolation valve under the sink or basin while you wait to stop wasting water.

Where we work: Geelong, Melbourne CBD, Werribee and the full list of service areas.

Talk to GSA Plumbing Services

We work across Geelong and Melbourne, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call 0401 041 103 or use the contact page. Quotes are free and there is no call-out fee.