Why Fix It Yourself?
A constantly dripping tap is more than an annoyance — it wastes a surprising amount of water over days and weeks, and that adds up on your water bill. In most cases, the fix is straightforward and requires only basic tools. If you've never done any home repair before, a leaky tap is actually an excellent first project: it's low-risk, the parts are cheap, and the process is repeatable once you've done it once.
What Causes a Tap to Drip?
The most common cause is a worn-out washer — a small rubber disc inside the tap valve that creates a water-tight seal when you turn the tap off. Over time, these washers harden, crack, or wear thin, allowing water to seep through even when the tap is closed. Other culprits include a damaged O-ring or a corroded valve seat, but washers account for the majority of dripping taps.
What You'll Need
- Adjustable spanner or wrench
- Flathead and Phillips screwdrivers
- Replacement washers (a multi-pack covers most sizes)
- Replacement O-rings (optional but useful to have)
- Plumber's grease
- A towel and small bowl
All of these are available from any hardware or DIY store at low cost.
Step-by-Step: Fixing a Dripping Tap
Step 1: Turn Off the Water Supply
Locate the isolation valve under the sink (a small valve on the pipe leading to the tap) and turn it clockwise until it stops. If there's no isolation valve, turn off the main water supply for the house. Turn the tap on to release any remaining pressure and drain the line — keep your towel handy for any residual drips.
Step 2: Remove the Tap Handle
Look for a small screw underneath or behind the tap handle's decorative cap. Pop off the cap with a flathead screwdriver, unscrew the screw underneath, and lift the handle straight off. It may take a gentle wiggle if it hasn't been removed before.
Step 3: Access the Valve
You'll now see the packing nut — the hexagonal component holding the valve in place. Use your adjustable spanner to loosen and remove it (turn anticlockwise). Once the nut is off, pull out the valve stem.
Step 4: Replace the Washer
At the bottom of the valve stem you'll find the old washer, usually held in place by a small brass screw. Remove the screw, take out the old washer, and compare it to your replacement pack to find the right size. Fit the new washer, replace the brass screw, and apply a small amount of plumber's grease to the stem and O-ring.
Step 5: Reassemble and Test
- Reinsert the valve stem into the tap body.
- Hand-tighten the packing nut, then use the spanner to snug it up — don't overtighten.
- Replace the handle and screw, then the decorative cap.
- Slowly turn the isolation valve back on.
- Turn the tap on and off to test — the drip should be gone.
When to Call a Plumber
If replacing the washer doesn't fix the drip, the valve seat may be corroded or damaged — a condition that usually requires a seat grinder tool or a replacement tap. Similarly, if you notice any water leaking from around the base of the tap or from the pipes themselves during this process, that's a job for a professional. But for the vast majority of dripping taps, the steps above will solve the problem in under an hour.