What causes taps and fixtures to leak?
- Worn tap washer. Older taps seal with a rubber washer that hardens and wears. The tap drips and needs force to close.
- Worn ceramic cartridge. Most mixer taps use a cartridge. Grit or wear stops it sealing.
- Loose mixer. The fixing under the counter loosens, so the tap moves and water seeps down the tap hole.
- Perished flexible hose. The braided hoses between the angle valve and the tap age and can burst.
- Leaking angle valve. The spindle or connection drips.
- Bidet spray hose, head or valve wear.
- Basin waste and trap joints.
- Failed silicone sealant around sinks and basins.
What will you notice?
| Symptom | Likely cause | Guide |
|---|---|---|
| Tap drips from the spout | Washer or cartridge | See below |
| Tap will not close fully | Washer or cartridge | See below |
| Water at the tap base | Loose mixer or O-ring | See below |
| Water in the cabinet | Hose, angle valve, trap, sink seal | Leaking under the kitchen sink |
| One tap weak | Clogged aerator | Water Pressure |
| Drip at the bidet spray | Hose, head or valve | See below |
What can you safely check yourself?
- Close the angle valve under the fixture before you look closely.
- Clean the aerator if flow is weak.
- Dry and test joints under the sink with tissue to find drips.
- Hand-tighten the slip nuts on the waste trap.
- Check flexible hoses for rust, bulges or damp at the ends.
- Close the bidet spray valve if it drips until it is fixed.
Landed house
Outdoor taps for gardens and car washing often drip unnoticed. Check them during your yearly check.
Condo unit
Leaks under a sink or basin can soak into the floor and reach the unit below. Fix them early. Simple tap swaps are usually allowed without approval, but check house rules for contractor access. Our home plumbing guide for condo and landed homes covers the house rules side in its condo sections.
What does a repair involve?
- Washer or cartridge replacement: quick, if the parts match.
- Tap replacement: when the body is cracked, corroded or parts are not available.
- Hose or angle valve replacement: quick, and worth doing on old hoses.
- Resealing: removing old silicone sealant and applying new.
- Sink or basin replacement: our guide on replacing a sink or basin explains what it involves.
The partner’s published dripping tap repair price, with source and date, is listed further down this page.
When should you call a plumber?
Call a plumber if a tap keeps dripping after a washer or cartridge change, if a hose or angle valve leaks, if a mixer is loose and you cannot reach the fixing, or if water keeps appearing in the cabinet. Ask for the tap brand and part to be named in the quote.
