Fix a dripping tap in 8 steps: shut off water, replace the washer or cartridge, and stop wasting 5,500 litres a year. Stuck? Call 020 8050 9933.
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A dripping tap wastes up to 5,500 litres a year and stains basins. Most leaks come from a perished washer or a worn ceramic cartridge — both are inexpensive fixes if you're comfortable with basic tools. This guide covers traditional and modern taps. If it's a monobloc mixer or a mains-fed tap you can't isolate, book one of our plumbers.
Traditional pillar/quarter-turn taps use a rubber washer. Modern lever mixers use a ceramic disc cartridge. Take a photo before you dismantle anything.
Close the isolation valve under the sink (slot turned across the pipe = off). If there isn't one, turn off the main stopcock.
This releases pressure and empties the spout.
Prise off the hot/cold cap and undo the screw underneath. Lift the handle clear.
Use an adjustable spanner. Hold the tap body with a cloth so you don't scratch it.
Traditional: swap the rubber washer at the base of the spindle. Modern: fit a matching ceramic cartridge (take the old one to a merchant).
Reverse the steps, open the isolation valve slowly and check for drips at the base and spout.
A tap repair is typically £50 - £80 including VAT, plus the call-out fee. Replacing a tap is typically £70 - £120. DIY parts vary by tap type.
Yes if you can isolate the supply and access the cartridge, but neck seals and hidden nuts often require a plumber's spanner.
The valve seat is scored. It needs re-seating with a re-seating tool — a job for a plumber.