How to Fix a Dripping Tap — DIY Repair Guide

A dripping tap wastes up to 5,500 litres of water a year. Most dripping taps can be fixed in under an hour with basic tools. Here's how.

Why Fix a Dripping Tap Quickly?

A single dripping tap can waste 5,500 litres of water per year — adding £30–£50 to your annual water bill. Beyond the cost, limescale build-up from drips can damage your basin and fittings. Most dripping taps are a straightforward DIY fix.

The Most Common Cause

In traditional taps (with separate hot and cold handles), the most common culprit is a worn jumper washer — a small rubber disc that wears out over time. Replacing it costs pence and takes about 30 minutes.

What You'll Need

Replacement jumper washers (a pack of assorted sizes from a hardware shop)
An adjustable spanner and flat-head screwdriver
PTFE tape
A cloth to catch water

Step-by-Step: Replacing a Tap Washer

Turn off the water supply to the tap — either the isolation valve under the basin (turn with a flathead screwdriver) or the main stopcock.
Turn the tap on to release any remaining pressure and drain the supply pipe.
Remove the tap handle. Most have a decorative cap on top — prise it off to expose a screw beneath. Remove the screw and lift off the handle.
Undo the packing nut with your adjustable spanner and lift out the headgear assembly.
Find the washer at the bottom of the headgear. It may be held by a small screw. Replace with a matching washer.
Reassemble in reverse order and restore the water supply. Test for drips.

Monobloc and Mixer Taps

Modern mixer taps use ceramic cartridges rather than rubber washers. When these fail, the entire cartridge must be replaced — they're tap-specific and usually cost £15–£40. If you're unsure of the brand and model, call us and we'll identify the correct part.

When to Call a Plumber

Call us if: the leak is from the tap body or base (not the spout), you can't isolate the water supply, the tap is seized, or you have a leak behind the wall. These all require professional attention.