A dripping tap seems harmless, but a steady drip can waste hundreds of litres a week, stain your basin, and the noise alone is enough to drive anyone mad. Most drips come down to one small worn part, and with a bit of care you can often fix it yourself in under an hour.
Why a drip is worth fixing now
A tap dripping once a second wastes around 5,000 litres a year. On a water meter that is money down the drain, and a constant drip will eventually mark the basin and can seize the tap for good if left. Sorting it early is cheap and easy.
What causes a dripping tap
On traditional taps it is almost always a worn rubber washer. On modern single-lever mixer taps it is usually the ceramic cartridge or an O-ring. Either way, it is an inexpensive part.
What you will need
An adjustable spanner, a flat and cross-head screwdriver, a replacement washer or cartridge to match your tap, and a towel to protect the basin. Take the old part to a merchant to match it exactly.
Step by step
Turn off the water at the isolation valve under the sink, or at the stopcock. Plug the plughole so no screws are lost, then open the tap to release any remaining water. Prise off the decorative cap, undo the screw and lift off the handle. Unscrew the valve or headgear with your spanner, replace the worn washer or cartridge, then reassemble in reverse and turn the water back on slowly.
If it still drips
If a new washer or cartridge does not stop it, the valve seat inside the tap body may be worn or scored, which needs re-seating or a new tap — that is where it becomes a job worth handing over.
When to call a plumber
If you cannot isolate the water, the tap is seized, or the drip continues after a new washer, give us a call. We cover Surrey and Sussex — 07719 522450 or WhatsApp us and we will fix it properly.