09 October 2025
How to fix a dripping tap
That little drip-drip-drip might seem harmless, but it can waste water, damage your home, and drive you round the bend.
The good news? Dripping tap repair can be easier than you think.
Whether it’s a classic twist tap, a modern mixer, or one with ceramic discs, we’ve got your back. If you don’t fancy tangling with dripping taps, we can fix it for you from as little as £95.
Tools you’ll need 🧰
Keep these handy for any tap troubles:
Adjustable spanner
Flathead and cross-head screwdrivers
Scissors
Replacement cartridge or washers & O-rings
Allen key (sometimes)
Soft cloth or masking tape (to protect your tap’s finish)
Tips from our experts: Don’t over-tighten washers or valves—it can cause more problems than it solves.
How to fix a dripping traditional tap
If your hot and cold taps need more than a quarter turn, they’re traditional (sometimes called compression valve taps). These taps often drip because of a worn washer that needs to be replaced.
Here’s how to fix them:
Turn off the water supply – Use the isolation valve under the sink. No valve? Use the stopcock (normally under your kitchen sink).
Drain the tap – Turn it on and make sure no water’s coming out.
Remove the tap cover – Look for the screw under the cap. You might need a screwdriver or Allen key.
Take off the handle and valve - This is where things get more complicated. All taps are slightly different, but generally work the same way:
Unscrew the top screw with a crosshead screwdriver
Use an adjustable spanner and turn the valve anti-clockwise to loosen, then remove it
Remove the nut that holds the washer in place
Inspect the washer – If it’s worn or damaged, replace it.
Reassemble and test – Turn the water back on and check for drips.
If the washer isn’t damaged, it might be a problem with the tap seat, which is a smooth base that presses against the washer to make a tight seal. If this is worn or damaged, you might want to think about booking a professional to fix it.
Fixing a dripping ceramic disc tap
Do you have a modern tap that only turns a quarter of the way? They use ceramic discs, which slide together to make a tight seal and prevent dips.
Here’s how to fix them:
Isolate the water supply– Same as above.
Drain the tap – Run it dry and plug the sink to prevent losing any small parts when you take the tap apart.
Remove the tap head – Ceramic disc taps come in lots of different designs so there are a few different ways to do this. If you still have the paperwork that came with your tap, that will help you find the right way to remove it.
Check the ceramic disc valve – You should now be able to see the ceramic discs. Check if they’re cracked or worn.
Remove the ceramic disc valve – Take it to a plumbing merchant and ask for a replacement. These come in left or right-handed versions so make sure the one you get matches your set up.
Reassemble – With the new ceramic disc valve in hand, put everything back in reverse order.
Turn the water supply back on and check for drips.
If dismantling your tap isn't something you’re comfortable with, there’s always Ding. Our expert engineers are a dab hand with dripping taps and will have you back up and running in no time.
Fixing a leaking spout on a mixer tap
If you’ve got a mixer tap that’s dripping from the base, it’s likely a problem with the O-ring. Here’s the fix:
Undo the grub screw (usually at the back of the tap). This connects the spout to the tap body.
Can’t access the grub screw? You may have to loosen the nut under the sink that connects the tap to the surface, this will give you more freedom to move the tap around. Once you can, undo the grub screw.
Tips from our experts: If you have an older tap it might be stuck in place. Time to book a plumber to finish the job.
Lift out the spout – you should now be able to see the O-ring, either attached to the spout or sitting in the base where you lifted it from.
Replace the O-ring – Make sure to replace the O-ring washer with an exact match for a tight seal.
Reassemble everything in reverse order – Make sure to re-tighten the nut under the sink if you had to undo it to access the grub screw.
Turn on the water supply and check for leaks.
How much water does a dripping tap waste?
A dripping tap wastes up to 4 litres of water a day! That’s nearly a full bath every week.
Tap still leaking? Just Ding it
If you’ve tried everything and that tap’s still dripping, it’s time to call in the experts. With Ding, you can book a trusted plumber in just a few taps. Fast, friendly, and from £95.
Written by:
Liam Sharkey
Service Excellence Coach
With 18 plus years of plumbing and drainage experience, Liam has got more than a few useful tips about how to tackle those common plumbing problems. He's completed jobs for homeowners and even massive events like the 2012 Olympics! Now, he works with our engineers in the field, giving them advice and support with those particularly tricky jobs.
Whatever your job—just Ding it.
Become a member today
For just £5/month and get direct access to trusted plumbers, electricians, and gas engineers—ready to tackle your immediate and future repairs.
Need something else?
Plumbing guides
Didn't find what you were looking for? We've got more plumbing guides straight from our experts.
Plumbing repairs
Don't fancy tackling this job yourself? Check out our plumbing repairs and prices.