Why Your Taps Drip (and When to Replace vs Repair)

A single dripping tap can waste thousands of litres a year — and that steady plink at night is enough to drive anyone up the wall. Most drips are cheap and quick to fix once you know what’s behind them.

What causes a tap to drip

• Worn washers or O-rings. On traditional taps, a perished rubber washer is the usual culprit. It’s a cheap part and a quick fix.
• A failed ceramic cartridge. Modern mixer taps use a cartridge instead of washers. When it wears, the tap drips or gets hard to turn.
• A damaged valve seat. Mineral build-up can wear the seat the washer presses against, so even a new washer won’t fully seal.
• Water pressure that’s too high. Excessive pressure stresses tap components and causes dripping and hammering throughout the house.

Repair or replace?

A repair makes sense when the tap body is in good condition and it’s just a washer or cartridge that’s worn. That’s the common case, and it’s inexpensive.

Replacement is the better call when:

• The tap is old, corroded or pitted, and parts are hard to source.
• You’ve already replaced washers more than once and it keeps coming back.
• You’re updating the look of a kitchen or bathroom anyway.
• The fittings are seized — sometimes forcing an old tap apart causes more damage than replacing it.

A note on water pressure

If taps across the house drip or the pipes bang when you shut them off, the underlying issue may be mains pressure that’s too high. A plumber can fit or adjust a pressure-limiting valve, which protects your taps, hot water system and appliances all at once. It’s a small job that prevents a lot of repeat problems.