How to Fix a Dripping Tap (And What It's Really Costing You)

A dripping tap is almost always caused by a worn part inside it. On a traditional tap it's usually a perished washer or a damaged valve seat. On a mixer tap it's the cartridge. Replacing a washer is a straightforward DIY job for most people. But if the drip comes back, the tap is corroded, or it's a mixer, the fix is bigger and worth handing to a plumber before a small drip turns into a bigger repair.

Here is what causes it, what it's costing you, and how to sort it.

Why Is My Tap Dripping?

Water only escapes a closed tap when the part meant to seal it has failed. The common causes:

• A worn washer. In a traditional tap, a rubber washer presses against the valve seat to stop the flow. It hardens and perishes over years of use, and once it does, water seeps past. This is the most common cause by far.

• A damaged valve seat. The surface the washer presses against can corrode or scratch, so even a new washer won't seal properly. This one needs re-seating or a plumber.

• A worn O-ring. Usually causes drips around the base of the handle rather than the spout.

• A failed cartridge. In a mixer tap, one cartridge controls flow and temperature. When it wears, the tap drips or gets stiff.

What a Dripping Tap Is Actually Costing You

This is the part most people underestimate. A slow, steady drip wastes more than 9,000 litres of water a year. A faster drip wastes far more. That's water you are paying for, running straight down the drain around the clock.

On a hot tap, it's worse again, because you're also paying to heat water you never use. Left long enough, a constant drip stains the sink, corrodes the fitting, and can damage the surface underneath. A two dollar washer ignored for a year becomes a bigger bill. If your water bill has crept up lately, a dripping tap is one of the first things worth ruling out.

How to Fix a Dripping Traditional Tap

If you're confident with basic tools, a washer replacement is a manageable job:

1. Turn off the water. Use the isolation valve under the sink, or the main stop valve if there isn't one. Open the tap to drain the line.

2. Plug the drain so you don't lose small parts.

3. Remove the tap handle, then unscrew the bonnet and lift out the spindle.

4. Replace the washer at the base of the spindle. Take the old one to the hardware store to match the size.

5. Reassemble, turn the water back on, and test.

If the drip stops, you're done. If it continues, the valve seat is likely worn, which is a plumber's job.

Why Mixer Taps Are Different

Modern mixer taps don't use washers. They use a sealed cartridge, and when it wears the whole cartridge is replaced. Cartridges vary by brand and model, and getting the wrong one means the tap won't seal or won't fit. If your dripping tap is a mixer, it's usually quicker and cheaper long term to have a plumber identify and replace the correct cartridge than to guess.

Why Coastal Homes Wear Through Tapware Faster

Homes near the water in Lennox Head, Ballina, and Byron Bay are hard on tapware. Salt air corrodes the internal components and the finish faster than inland, so washers, seats, and cartridges wear out sooner. If you're replacing washers more often than you'd expect, or your tapware is pitting and staining, coastal conditions are the reason. It's the same salt-air effect covered in the guide to coastal home plumbing problems. When it's time to upgrade, Jesse handles tapware supply and installation across the Northern Rivers, from a single leaking tap to a full bathroom refit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a dripping tap an emergency? No, but it's not worth ignoring. It wastes water and money every day, and the fitting can corrode or the drip can worsen. It's a low-cost fix that gets more expensive the longer it's left.

How much water does a dripping tap waste? A steady drip wastes over 9,000 litres a year. A faster leak can waste many times that, and a dripping hot tap wastes energy on top of the water.

Can I fix a dripping mixer tap myself? It's possible, but mixer taps use brand-specific cartridges that are easy to get wrong. Most people find it faster to have a plumber match and fit the correct part.

Why does my tap still drip after I replaced the washer? Almost always a worn or corroded valve seat. The new washer can't seal against a damaged surface. The seat needs re-grinding or the tap needs replacing, which is a plumber's job.

A dripping tap is small money to fix and real money to ignore. Get it sorted before it costs you, anywhere across the Northern Rivers. Call Jesse now on 0412 230 635.