The short answer
a tap that drips from the spout usually needs a new washer (older taps that turn several times) or a new ceramic cartridge (modern taps that turn a quarter). Turn the water off first. If you can't isolate the water or the tap is seized, call someone.
Which kind of tap do you have?
- Traditional tap. The handle turns round several times. It has a rubber washer inside.
- Quarter-turn tap. The handle or lever only moves a quarter turn. It has a ceramic cartridge.
- Mixer with one lever. One cartridge controls hot and cold together.
What you'll need.
- Adjustable spanner
- Flat-head and cross-head screwdrivers
- An old cloth (to protect the tap from the spanner)
- A replacement washer or cartridge. Take the old one to the shop to match it.
Before you start.
- Turn off the water. Look under the sink for a small isolation valve on the pipe to that tap. Turn the slot a quarter turn with a screwdriver so it sits across the pipe. No isolation valve? Turn off the stopcock instead.
- Open the tap to drain what's left.
- Put the plug in. Small screws love plugholes.
Changing a washer (traditional tap).
- Prise off the cap on top of the handle and undo the screw underneath.
- Lift off the handle and any metal cover.
- Use the spanner to undo the large nut and lift out the tap's inner part.
- At the bottom you'll find the washer, held by a small nut or pushed over a pin. Swap it for the new one.
- Put everything back in order. Don't overtighten.
- Turn the water on and check.
Changing a cartridge (quarter-turn or lever tap).
- Remove the handle. The screw is usually behind a small cap or at the back of the lever.
- Undo the retaining nut with the spanner and lift the cartridge out.
- Fit the matching new cartridge. Hot and cold cartridges are often different, so check you have the right one.
- Put it back together, turn the water on and check.
If it's leaking from somewhere else.
- Around the base of the spout: the O-ring has worn. It can be replaced once the spout is lifted off.
- Under the sink: check the connections to the tap. A joint may need tightening or a new washer.
- Still dripping after a new washer: the seat inside the tap may be worn. It can be reground, or the tap replaced.
When to call someone.
- You can't find a way to turn the water off, or the stopcock won't move.
- The tap is seized and won't come apart without force.
- The leak is from the pipework, not the tap.
- You've changed the washer or cartridge and it still drips.
- You'd simply rather not.
A dripping tap is rarely urgent, but it's worth sorting. It wastes water, stains the basin, and in winter a drip can freeze in the waste pipe.
When to call FixAble.
Taps and pipes come under plumbing and heating repairs, which is part of every FixAble plan. Labour is included, with up to £250 of materials on every job, and we book your appointment within 24 hours.
FixAble is a home maintenance subscription for homes in Greater Manchester. One team for every job, and your price is set before anything goes wrong.
