How to fix a dripping tap
Quick answer: Turn off the water to the tap (isolation valve or stopcock), take the tap head apart, and replace the worn washer or ceramic cartridge inside. Take the old part to a plumbers' merchant or DIY shop to match it, then rebuild, turn the water on slowly and check for drips.
A dripping tap wastes more water than you might think, and it will stain your basin. Most drips come from a worn rubber washer in a traditional tap or a worn cartridge in a modern one.
The job is fairly simple if you can turn the water off at the tap. Identify which type of tap you have first, because the repair is different.
What you will need
- Adjustable spanner
- Flat and cross-head screwdrivers
- Replacement washers or a cartridge (take the old one to match it)
- A cloth to pad the spanner and protect the chrome
- A towel or bowl
- Plumber's grease (silicone grease)
Step by step
Work out your tap type
A traditional tap that you screw round many times has a rubber washer. A tap that turns only a quarter or half turn has a ceramic disc cartridge. A mixer tap can have either.
Turn the water off
Look for a small isolation valve on the pipe under the sink: turn the slot a quarter turn with a flat screwdriver. If there is none, turn off the main stopcock (usually under the kitchen sink) and open the tap to drain the pipe.
Plug the plughole
Put the plug in or a cloth over the hole so small screws and washers cannot fall down it. Lay a towel in the basin.
Take the cap and handle off
Prise off the little coloured cap on the handle, undo the screw underneath and lift the handle off. Some have a grub screw at the side.
Undo the headgear
Wrap a cloth round the shiny cover and unscrew it with the spanner, turning anticlockwise. Lift out the headgear (the part with the spindle).
Replace the washer or cartridge
On a traditional tap, pull the old washer off the bottom of the spindle (the jumper), fit the new one and put the retaining nut back. On a ceramic cartridge tap, pull out the cartridge and fit the identical new one, lining up the notches.
Rebuild and test
Smear a little silicone grease on the threads, put it all back in reverse order, turn the water on slowly, and check for drips round the base and the spout. Open and close the tap a few times.
Tips
- Take the old washer or cartridge with you when you buy the new one. There are dozens of sizes.
- If the tap still drips after a new washer, the seat inside the tap body may be worn. A tap reseating tool or a new tap is the next step.
- If the water supply is not isolated and you cannot find a stopcock, stop and call a plumber.
Stop and get help if
- You cannot turn the water off or the stopcock is seized.
- Water sprays or leaks from behind the tap, or the tap body itself is cracked.
- It is a combination or thermostatic mixer you do not understand. These are better fixed by someone who has done it before.
- A tap is dripping from the wall pipe behind or you can see corrosion.
Would you rather we did it?
We cover Sandwich and East Kent. Send us a quick message on WhatsApp, ideally with a photo, and we will come back with a price and a day.
Common questions
Why is my tap still dripping after I changed the washer?
The seat the washer presses against may be worn or scratched, or you have fitted the wrong size. A reseating tool can smooth the seat, or the tap may need replacing.
How much water does a dripping tap waste?
Quite a lot over a year, and on a water meter it costs real money. It also leaves limescale and stains on the basin.
Do I need a plumber to fix a dripping tap?
Not usually. If you can isolate the water and follow the steps, it is a good first plumbing job. Call a plumber if you cannot isolate the supply or the tap is damaged.
More guides
Last reviewed 17 October 2026. This guide is general information for UK homes and is not a substitute for the manufacturer's instructions. If the job involves gas, mains wiring, asbestos, structural work or working at height, or you are unsure, ask a suitably qualified person.