How to Fix a Dripping Tap Yourself

A dripping tap wastes water, stains sinks and keeps you awake, but the cause is almost always one small worn part that costs very little to replace. This guide shows you how to identify the type of tap you have, isolate the water, take the tap apart without damaging it, and replace a washer, ceramic cartridge or O-ring. It is written for ordinary kitchen and bathroom taps and assumes no previous plumbing experience. General information, not professional advice: if you cannot isolate the water or a part will not budge, stop and call a plumber.

Why Taps Drip and Which Tap You Have

Every tap contains a part that opens and closes to control the flow of water. Over years of use, that part wears, hardens or gets scored by limescale and grit, and it stops sealing completely. Water then seeps past it and drips from the spout. If water leaks from around the handle or the base of the spout instead, a rubber O-ring is usually to blame.

The fix depends on how your tap is built. Turn the handle and notice how it moves; that tells you most of what you need to know.

Tools, Parts and Preparation

You can do most tap repairs with basic household tools. The most important thing is getting the right replacement part, so plan to take the old one to a plumbers' merchant or DIY shop to match it.

• Adjustable spanner, plus a cloth to wrap the jaws so they do not mark chrome.
• Flat and cross-head screwdrivers, including a small one for prising off caps.
• Allen keys, as many lever taps hold the handle with a tiny grub screw.
• Replacement washer, cartridge or O-rings matched to your tap.
• Silicone tap grease that is safe for drinking water, to lubricate seals.
• A plug or old towel to block the plughole so screws cannot fall down the drain.
• Phone camera to photograph each stage as you take the tap apart.
• Limescale remover or white vinegar and an old toothbrush.

1. Find the isolation valve Look under the sink for small valves on the pipes going up to the tap. Turn the slot a quarter turn so it sits across the pipe.
2. If there is no isolation valve Turn off the main stopcock, often under the kitchen sink or where the water pipe enters the house. For a hot tap fed from a tank, you may need to close a valve on the pipe from the hot water cylinder instead.
3. Drain the tap Open the tap fully and let it run until it stops. This confirms the water is off and empties the pipe.
4. Block the plughole and lay a towel Cover the plughole and lay a towel in the sink to protect it and catch small parts.