A tap that drips once every few seconds can be easy to ignore, particularly when the water is not visibly pooling. But dripping tap repair is worth arranging sooner rather than later. The sound is irritating, the wasted water adds up, and a small internal fault can become a damaged tap body, stained basin or worktop, or a leak beneath the sink.
In many homes, the fault is a worn washer or cartridge that can be repaired quickly. In others, especially with older taps or heavily corroded fittings, replacing the tap is the more dependable and cost-effective answer. The right choice depends on what has failed, the age and condition of the fitting, and whether the tap is otherwise working properly.
Why does a tap keep dripping?
A tap should shut off the flow of water by forming a tight seal inside its mechanism. When that seal wears, cracks, becomes rough or no longer sits correctly, a small amount of water passes through after the handle has been turned off.
Traditional pillar taps and many older mixer taps commonly use a rubber washer. Each time the tap is opened or closed, the washer presses against a valve seat. Over time, normal use can flatten or split the rubber. If the valve seat itself is worn or uneven, fitting a new washer alone may not provide a lasting repair.
Modern quarter-turn taps often use ceramic cartridges rather than washers. These are reliable fittings, but limescale, debris or wear can damage the seals or ceramic discs inside. A dripping mixer tap may also have a worn cartridge, O-ring or seal around the spindle. The visible drip is small, but the fault can be more involved than it first appears.
Water pressure can sometimes make an existing weakness more obvious. This is particularly relevant where a pump has been fitted, pressure has changed after plumbing work, or a tap has started dripping intermittently rather than all the time. A plumber should identify the underlying fault rather than simply tighten the handle and hope for the best.
A few safe checks before booking a repair
It is sensible to look at the tap closely before arranging work. Check whether water is dripping from the spout, collecting around the base of the tap, or appearing in the cupboard below. These are different faults and may need different repairs.
A drip from the spout when the tap is off usually points to an internal sealing problem. Water around the base can indicate a worn O-ring, loose fixing or damaged seal. Dampness under the sink may come from the tap’s flexible hoses, pipe connections, waste fitting or another nearby leak. If there is any doubt, avoid using the affected tap until the source has been checked.
Do not force the handle tighter. Overtightening a conventional tap can damage the washer, spindle or valve seat, while forcing a ceramic tap can harm the cartridge. A handle that feels stiff, loose, unusually hot or difficult to turn is a useful sign that the repair needs more than a quick adjustment.
If you can safely access the isolation valve below the basin or sink, make sure you know where it is. This can be helpful if the drip becomes a steady flow. However, do not attempt to dismantle the tap unless you can fully isolate the water supply and are confident that you have the correct replacement parts. One tap model can look very similar to another while using a different cartridge or fitting size.
When a simple dripping tap repair is enough
A repair is often the sensible option when the tap is in good condition, the finish is undamaged and the fault is limited to a serviceable internal part. Replacing a washer, cartridge, O-ring or valve component can restore normal operation without the cost or disruption of changing the entire fitting.
This approach is particularly useful for good-quality taps that match other fittings in the kitchen or bathroom. It can also be preferable in rented properties where a straightforward repair will return the tap to proper working order and avoid unnecessary replacement costs.
The important part is fitting the right component and checking the tap once it has been reassembled. A tap may stop dripping for a day or two after an incorrect part has been fitted, only for the leak to return. An experienced plumber will inspect the valve seat, spindle, cartridge housing and connections, then test both hot and cold supplies where relevant.
When replacing the tap makes more sense
There are times when repeated repairs are false economy. If the tap is badly corroded, the body is cracked, parts are no longer available or the cartridge has failed more than once, replacement can provide the better long-term result. This is also true where the tap is loose on the basin or sink, has poor water flow, or leaks from more than one point.
A new tap should be chosen to suit the existing plumbing and water pressure. A tap that performs well on a high-pressure mains supply may not be suitable for a low-pressure gravity-fed system. Kitchen mixer taps, bathroom basin taps and shower mixers all have different requirements, so appearance should not be the only consideration.
Replacement work also gives the plumber an opportunity to inspect the flexible hoses, isolation valves and pipework under the sink or basin. Old valves that will not close properly, deteriorated hoses and poor connections can turn a simple tap change into a future leak if they are left unaddressed.
Why kitchen tap leaks need prompt attention
A dripping kitchen tap is often used many times a day, so wear can progress quickly. More importantly, kitchen units can hide leaks for weeks. Water running down the back of the tap, along hoses or into the cupboard may cause swollen chipboard, mould, damaged flooring or problems with electrical appliances stored nearby.
If you notice a musty smell, discolouration in the unit, soft cabinet material or water beneath the sink, treat it as more than a dripping tap. Empty the cupboard, protect anything stored inside and arrange an inspection. Finding the exact source early can prevent a much larger repair.
Dripping bathroom taps and hot water considerations
Bathroom taps can be connected to mains water, a cold-water storage tank, a hot water cylinder or a combination of supplies. The type of system affects how the water is isolated and which replacement tap will work correctly.
A hot tap that continues to drip should not be assumed to be harmless. Apart from wasting heated water, it may point to a worn valve or pressure issue within the system. Where a hot tap produces discoloured water, has very low flow or makes knocking noises, it is worth checking the wider plumbing arrangement rather than treating it as an isolated tap fault.
For homes with an immersion heater and hot water tank, care is needed around pipework and valves. The water supply may not be isolated in the same way as a straightforward cold mains tap. A qualified plumber can make the repair without creating a loss of water supply or an avoidable leak.
What to expect from a professional repair
A proper visit starts with confirming where the water is coming from and identifying the tap type. The plumber will isolate the relevant supply, strip down the fitting where appropriate, replace worn parts or advise if the tap is beyond an economical repair. Once the work is complete, the tap and connections should be tested for drips, leaks and correct operation.
Clear advice matters as much as the repair itself. You should know whether a washer, cartridge or complete tap has been fitted, why the fault occurred, and whether any nearby valves or pipework need attention. For landlords and property managers, this also provides a clear record of what has been done at the property.
Simply Plumbing provides practical tap repairs and replacements across Dublin and County Kildare, with honest upfront pricing and a 12-month warranty on completed work. If a tap leak becomes a steady flow or is causing water damage, 24-hour assistance means it does not have to wait until normal working hours.
A dripping tap rarely fixes itself. Acting while the problem is still small protects your home, avoids unnecessary water waste and gives you the best chance of a straightforward, lasting repair.
