Fixing a Dripping Tap Instead of Calling for a New One
A dripping tap is one of the most common household annoyances, and it is easy to ignore until the sound becomes impossible to bear at night. Many people assume that a leaking tap needs a complete replacement, but most drips come from a small worn part inside the tap body. Replacing that part is often a straightforward job that takes less time than a trip to the shop. Fixing a tap also keeps a perfectly sound fitting out of landfill and stops water wasting away quietly through the drain. This guide explains how to identify the type of tap, shut off the water safely, and replace the most common worn parts. It also explains when a qualified plumber should take over.
Identify the Type of Tap
Before you buy any parts, find out what kind of tap you have. Compression taps have separate hot and cold handles, each with a rubber washer at the bottom of the spindle, and they are the most common type in older homes. Ceramic disc taps use a pair of ceramic plates inside the body, and they usually have a single lever. Cartridge taps also use a single handle, and they contain a sealed unit that slides or rotates. Each type needs a different repair, so take a clear photograph of the tap and the handle before you start, and note the brand and any model name stamped on the body.
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Turn Off the Water Safely
Never begin work on a tap without stopping the water supply first. Look under the sink for the small isolating valves on the pipes feeding the tap, and turn them clockwise until they stop. If there are no valves, you may need to turn off the main supply for the property, which is usually located near the water meter or where the mains pipe enters the home. Open the tap after isolating the supply to release the remaining water in the pipes. Place a towel in the sink and put a stopper in the plughole, so that a small part does not disappear down the drain during the repair. For a related read on this site, see Keeping Household Tasks on Track While You Travel.
Replace the Worn Washer or Cartridge
For a compression tap, remove the handle by taking out the screw under the cap, then unscrew the headgear with a spanner. Lift out the old washer and fit an identical new one, ideally one made from the same material. Smear a little grease on the threads and reassemble the tap carefully, tightening it gently so that the washer seats without being crushed. A ceramic disc or cartridge tap usually needs the whole unit replaced, so bring the old one to the shop to match it accurately.
The Tap Repair Checklist
- Photograph the tap and note the brand before you start
- Shut off the isolating valve or the main supply completely
- Place a towel in the sink and block the plughole with a stopper
- Replace the washer or cartridge with an exact match
- Open the isolating valve slowly and check for leaks
Once the repair is complete, turn the water back on slowly and check for leaks around the base, the spout, and the handle. A small amount of dripping after a repair often means the washer is not seated fully or the seal needs another turn. Recheck the connections before assuming the part is faulty. If the tap still drips after two careful attempts, the valve seat inside the body may be worn, and a qualified plumber can assess whether a new valve or a full replacement is the better option.
Mistakes That Make Drips Worse
The most common mistake is overtightening the tap. Excess force can crush a new washer, scratch the valve seat, or split the body, turning a cheap repair into an expensive job. Another error is using the wrong washer size because the old one was not measured before buying. Some people also forget to turn off the water, which can cause a sudden spray across the kitchen. Finally, many households replace a tap that only needed a small part, which adds waste and cost unnecessarily.
Repairing a dripping tap is a rewarding job for a careful beginner, and it saves water as well as money. Take your time, keep the parts in order, and do not rush the reassembly. If the work feels unsafe, or if the pipework itself is damaged, a qualified plumber can complete the repair quickly and check the system for other faults.
