How to fix a dripping tap

Why taps drip

Traditional taps (the ones you turn several times) use a rubber washer that wears out over time. Modern quarter-turn and mixer taps use a ceramic cartridge instead. Either way, a worn part stops the water sealing properly, so it drips.

What you'll need

An adjustable spanner, a flat and a cross-head screwdriver, a replacement washer or cartridge (take the old one to a plumbing merchant to match it), and a cloth.

Step by step

1. 1Turn off the water supply to the tap — use the isolation valve under the sink, or the main stopcock.
2. 2Open the tap fully to drain any water left in the pipe, and put the plug in so small parts can't go down the drain.
3. 3Prise off the decorative cap on the handle and unscrew the handle.
4. 4Unscrew the headgear (traditional tap) or cartridge (quarter-turn tap) with a spanner. Wrap the chrome in a cloth to avoid scratching it.
5. 5Replace the washer or cartridge with the matching new part.
6. 6Reassemble in reverse order, turn the water back on and check for drips.

When it's not the washer

If water leaks from around the base of the handle rather than the spout, the O-ring is usually to blame. If the tap still drips after a new washer, the valve seat may be damaged and the tap may need replacing.