How to fix a dripping tap safely
A tap that drips every few seconds can waste water, stain a basin and become harder to shut off. Uisce Éireann advises households to repair dripping taps and small leaks early and to know where the inside stop valve is before an emergency. The repair is often manageable if the isolation valve works and the tap uses a replaceable washer or cartridge.[1]
Do not begin by buying a generic washer. Traditional compression taps, quarter-turn ceramic taps and single-lever mixer taps use different parts. Identify the tap and confirm that you can isolate its water supply before taking anything apart.[2]
Work out where the water is escaping
Dry the tap and watch it closely. Water dripping from the spout when the handles are closed usually points to a worn internal seal. Water around the handle or tap body may be an O-ring, gland or loose connection. Moisture beneath the sink may come from a flexi hose, waste fitting or seal rather than the tap mechanism.
- Compression tap: usually turns through several rotations and often uses a rubber washer.
- Quarter-turn tap: opens with a short turn and normally uses a ceramic cartridge.
- Single-lever mixer: commonly uses one larger mixer cartridge specific to the model.
- Drip below the sink: inspect with a dry tissue, but do not disturb a swollen, corroded or rigid connection.
Isolate the supply and prepare the work area
Close the hot and cold service valves beneath the sink, then open the tap to confirm the flow has stopped. If there are no usable service valves, close the property's inside stop valve. Uisce Éireann says this valve is often under the kitchen sink, in a utility room, hot press, garage or under the stairs. If a valve is seized, do not force it with excessive leverage; arrange a plumber instead.[2]
- Plug the drain so screws and clips cannot fall into the waste.
- Photograph each stage and place parts in removal order.
- Use a cloth beneath tools to protect chrome and ceramic surfaces.
- Check again that both hot and cold feeds are fully isolated.
Replace the correct seal or cartridge
Remove the decorative cap and handle fixing without forcing brittle trim. On a compression tap, unscrew the valve head and replace the washer with an exact match; inspect the valve seat for rough damage. On a ceramic or mixer tap, remove the retaining nut and take the complete cartridge to a plumbing supplier so its height, spline, diameter and port layout can be matched.
Clean mating surfaces gently and fit seals in the same orientation. Lubricate only with a small amount of silicone grease approved for potable-water fittings when the part instructions permit it. Do not use general oil, glue or thread tape on surfaces that were not designed for them.
Reassemble and test slowly
Tighten components firmly but not aggressively; overtightening can crack ceramic parts, distort seals or damage threads. Close the tap, reopen the isolation valves slowly and inspect the spout, handle and connections for several minutes. Run both hot and cold water, then check again with dry tissue beneath the sink.
When to stop and post a plumbing job
Call a plumber if the supply cannot be isolated, the tap body is cracked, pipework moves when you loosen the fitting, the valve seat is badly damaged, or the replacement cartridge cannot be identified. A leak near sockets or electrical appliances also needs immediate isolation and professional attention.
Useful job post: 'Quarter-turn kitchen mixer tap dripping from the spout in a house in Athlone. Both under-sink isolation valves work. I removed the handle but could not identify the cartridge, so the tap is reassembled and usable. Photos show the tap, handle and connections below. Please quote to supply the correct cartridge or replace the tap, test both feeds and remove the old parts.'
Frequently asked questions
Why does my tap still drip after replacing the washer?+
The washer may be the wrong size, the valve seat may be damaged, or the tap may use a cartridge rather than a washer. Recheck the tap type before tightening it further.
Can I change a tap cartridge without turning off the water?+
No. Isolate and verify both supplies before opening the tap body. If the service or stop valve does not work, use a plumber.
Should I replace the cartridge or the whole tap?+
A matching cartridge is usually sensible when the body and connections are sound. Replacement may be better when the model is obsolete, heavily corroded or leaking from several places.
How do I find a plumber for a dripping tap?+
Post the tap type, location of the leak, photos, isolation-valve condition and whether you want a repair or replacement so local plumbers can respond accurately.
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