Repair it if it is worth repairing, replace it if it is not.
Why taps drip
Most dripping taps have a worn internal part. On older taps it is a rubber washer that wears against the seat. On mixer taps and modern quarter-turn taps it is usually a cartridge or a ceramic disc. A tap that drips from the spout, leaks around the handle or is stiff and noisy can normally be put right. A slow drip wastes more water than you might think, and it can stain a basin or sink.
Repair or replace?
If the tap is in good condition and the parts are available, repairing it is usually the sensible choice. If it is badly corroded, the finish is worn away, or the parts are no longer made, a new tap often makes more sense. We will tell you which we think it is before we start, and we will not push a replacement if a repair will do.
Leaks underneath
Sometimes the water under the sink is not from the tap at all. Common causes are the tap connectors, a flexible hose, or a worn isolating valve. If you can see water on the cupboard floor, it helps to tell us where it seems to come from. Wider pipe leaks are on leaking pipe repair, and there is more on sinks and basins in kitchen and bathroom plumbing.
Fitting a new tap
We fit kitchen, bathroom and basin taps. If you have chosen one, check that it suits the holes in your sink or basin and tell us the make. We can usually fit one you have supplied. If a tap is on the outside wall, see outdoor tap repair.
Before we come
A photo of the tap and the space underneath helps a lot. If you can, note whether it has separate hot and cold taps or a single mixer, and whether the drip is from the spout or the handle. If the tap will not turn off at all, close the isolating valve under the sink if there is one, or turn off your stop tap. See stop tap replacement if yours is stuck.
Getting it fixed
A dripping tap is not normally an emergency. If water is running or spraying and you cannot stop it, see emergency plumber. For everything else, Call 01709 456402 or ring the mobile 07401 429080, or use the contact page. We do not list prices, so tell us what the tap is doing and your postcode. If the fault is with the heating rather than a tap, see boiler repairs or new boilers. Everyday jobs are on plumbing repairs. We are a local Rotherham team.
FAQ
Is a dripping tap urgent?
Usually not. Book it as planned work. If the water will not stop, close the valve under the sink or turn off the stop tap and call us.
Can you fix a tap that will not turn off?
Yes, in most cases. It is usually a worn cartridge, washer or seat. Sometimes the tap is too worn and needs replacing.
Can you fit a tap I have bought?
Usually, yes. Tell us the make and check it suits the sink or basin.
For the boiler side of what we do, see boiler servicing.