A dripping tap is easy to ignore, but it adds up. A steady drip can waste thousands of litres a year, stain your basin, and keep you awake at night. On older-style taps the fix is often a worn washer that costs a few dollars. Here's how to work out what kind of tap you have and what's involved.
Step 1: Work out what type of tap you have
- Traditional "jumper valve" taps (compression taps). Separate hot and cold handles that take several full turns to open and close. These use a rubber washer, and a worn washer is the usual cause of a drip.
- Quarter-turn taps (ceramic disc). Separate handles that go from off to full in about a quarter or half turn. These use a ceramic cartridge rather than a washer.
- Mixer taps. A single lever that controls both flow and temperature. These have a cartridge inside the body.
Only attempt basic maintenance that you can do safely and that is permitted for your situation. Ask a suitably qualified plumber before replacing fittings or working on pipework, and follow the relevant manufacturer guidance.
Step 2: Turn off the water
Look for a small isolation valve under the sink or behind the basin. Turn it clockwise with a flat screwdriver until it stops. No isolation valve? Turn the water off at the main stopcock, usually next to the water meter at the front of the property. Then open the tap to drain what's left in the line, and put the plug in so no small parts disappear down the drain.
Step 3: Replace the washer (compression taps)
- Remove the handle. Prise off the decorative cap (often marked H or C) with a butter knife, undo the screw underneath, and lift the handle off.
- Undo the tap body (the "headgear"). Wrap a cloth around the chrome so you don't scratch it, then use a shifter or spanner to unscrew the headgear anticlockwise.
- Swap the washer. The washer sits on the jumper valve at the bottom of the headgear. Pull or unscrew the old one, take it to the hardware store to match the size, and fit the new one. While you're there, replace the small O-ring on the spindle too. That's what stops leaks around the handle.
- Reassemble. Screw the headgear back in firmly but don't overtighten, then refit the handle and cap.
- Turn the water back on slowly and check for drips.
If it still drips straight after a new washer, the tap seat(the brass surface the washer presses against) may be worn or pitted. A plumber can reseat it with a special tool, or recommend a new tap if the body is too far gone.
Step 4: Ceramic disc and mixer taps
Ceramic disc taps and mixers don't use a washer, so the fix is usually a replacement cartridge. Cartridges are specific to the brand and model, and some are fiddly to remove without damaging the tap body. Ask a suitably qualified plumber to assess the fitting rather than dismantling an unfamiliar cartridge. Keep any model information or manufacturer instructions for the assessment.
When to replace instead of repair
Sometimes a new tap or mixer makes more sense than chasing parts:
- The tap is old and the body is corroded or cracked
- Parts for that brand are no longer made
- It's been repaired several times and keeps leaking
- Water is leaking from the base of the tap or under the bench, not just the spout
- You're updating the kitchen or bathroom anyway
Leaks from the base, under the sink, or inside the wall are worth checking soon, because they can quietly damage cabinets, floors and wall linings.
When to call us
- The tap still drips after a new washer (more on our leaking taps page)
- It's a mixer or ceramic tap and you're not sure of the part
- You want a tap or mixer replaced (that's licensed plumbing work in Victoria)
- There's water under the sink, around the base, or damp on a wall
- The isolation valve or stopcock won't turn off properly
If water is pouring from a broken pipe or fitting, turn off the main and see our emergency plumbing page.
Need a hand?
A leaking tap is a small job, and small jobs start from $80. If you've got a few little things on the list, like a dripping tap, a running toilet or a loose shower rose, it's worth getting them all done in one visit. Call 1800 224 229 or book a quote and we'll sort it with you.