Dripping tap: repair yourself or call a plumber?
A dripping tap wastes water and is annoying. Sometimes you can fix it yourself with a new washer or cartridge — sometimes it's smarter to call a plumber.
A leaking tap is usually caused by a worn washer (with a traditional tap) or a broken ceramic cartridge (with a single-lever mixer tap). Knowing which type you have determines the approach.
How to tackle a leaking tap
First determine the type, then replace accordingly.
Turn off the water first
Close the angle or isolation valve under the tap, or else the mains stopcock, before you start.
Recognise the type of tap
Classic tap with two knobs → washer or O-ring. Single-lever mixer tap → ceramic cartridge.
Is the spout dripping?
Usually the washer or cartridge is worn — replaceable with standard parts.
Is it leaking at the base or handle?
Then it is often in the O-rings; these can be replaced separately.
Limescale and hard water
The Hague has hard water; limescale accelerates wear. A periodic check prevents leaks.
When to call a plumber?
If it keeps leaking, the tap is wall-mounted or it's a built-in tap? Then a tradesman will save you time and water damage.
Replacing a washer or cartridge: how it works
An ordinary surface-mounted tap can often be repaired yourself. Here's how to do it safely.
A dripping tap is usually not a major problem, but one that gets worse on its own. Limescale and wear make the leak bigger and you'll see the wasted water on your bill. With some patience and the right part, you can often fix it yourself with an ordinary tap.
What you need
- An adjustable spanner or open-ended spanner and a screwdriver.
- A soft cloth to protect the chrome from scratches.
- The right new washer, the O-rings or the cartridge. Take the old part with you to the shop: cartridges differ by brand and model.
How to proceed
- Turn off the stop valve under the basin or worktop. If there isn't one or it doesn't close properly, shut off the mains stopcock.
- Open the tap to let the residual water run out and place a cloth in the sink, so that no screws fall into the drain.
- Remove the cap from the knob or lever, undo the screw and take off the knob.
- Unscrew the top section or cartridge with the spanner, with a cloth in between. Pay close attention to how everything was positioned; take a photo if necessary.
- Replace the washer, O-rings or cartridge and reassemble everything in reverse order. Don't overtighten.
- Turn the stopcock on slowly and check that the tap stays dry.
Limescale: the silent cause
Limescale builds up on the cartridge and the tap seat. This prevents the tap from closing properly and causes the seals to wear faster. Clean the aerator (the little filter on the spout) regularly in cleaning vinegar, and wipe the tap dry after use. This extends its lifespan.
When is a tradesman preferable?
Call a plumber if it's a built-in tap or thermostatic shower tap, if the stopcock won't close or is leaking itself, or if parts are stuck solid. Also, if there's moisture in the cupboard under the worktop, it's wise to have it checked: often a connection hose or coupling is leaking. A tradesman will then replace the stopcocks and hoses or fit a new tap, and test everything for leaks. Read more about our work on bathroom fixtures and taps.
Where is your tap leaking? How to tackle each spot
Where the water is coming from tells you which part is broken.
Tap leaking at the spout
The tap keeps dripping after you turn it off. With an old-fashioned tap with two knobs, the washer is worn. With a mixer tap with one lever, the cartridge is leaking. Replacement is as described above.
Tap leaks at the neck or base
Is water coming out from under the swivel spout or around the base of the tap? Usually the O-rings of the spout have dried out or worn. They sit under the spout and are inexpensive to replace. If water is leaking down past the base, also check whether the tap is still secure on the worktop.
Tap leaking under the sink
A wet base in the cupboard rarely comes from the tap itself. Usually a flexible connector hose, a coupling or the isolation valve is leaking. Lay dry kitchen paper under each coupling and see where it gets wet first. Replace a hose that's leaking or bulging completely.
Washing machine tap leaking
If it's leaking at the coupling with the hose, usually the rubber ring in the hose coupling is flat or displaced. Turn off the tap, unscrew the hose and replace the ring. If it's leaking along the spindle when you turn the tap on, the seal is worn. An old washing machine tap without a non-return valve must be replaced with a tap with aerator and non-return valve.
Thermostatic shower tap leaking
With a thermostatic tap, the leak is often in the cartridge or in the non-return valves at the connections. Limescale almost always plays a role. Because the tap is connected to two pipes and incorrect installation can cause scalding, it's best to have this done by a plumber.
Outside tap leaks
If the outside tap leaks after winter, it has often been damaged by frost. Close the inside stopcock and let the pipe drain. A frost-proof outside tap will prevent this in future.
Related services
Need help? View the related service or call us directly.
Having a tap repaired or replaced: costs and approach
A dripping tap seems harmless, but wastes a lot of water over time and leaves limescale rings. If it's leaking under the tap or in the cupboard below, there's more going on: a loose coupling, a leaking flexible hose or a worn isolation valve. We often only see such leaks once the base of the kitchen cupboard has already gone soft.
We replace washers, cartridges and flexible hoses, and fit new taps. If you've already bought a tap yourself, we can install that too. Just check beforehand that the connections match your worktop or washbasin.
If the tap is older than fifteen years or seized up with limescale, replacement is often more cost-effective than repair. We'll tell you honestly what makes sense.
Good to know
Short answers to questions we're often asked.
A tap with two separate knobs for hot and cold usually has washers. A mixer tap with one lever almost always has a ceramic cartridge. A thermostatic tap has thermostatic internals; that requires a different approach.
At a DIY store or bathroom showroom. Take the old part with you, because cartridges differ by brand and model. If you can't find the brand, take photos of the tap and the internals.
Don't force it: an old stopcock can break off and then it will leak even more. Close the mains stopcock and have the stopcock replaced. That prevents problems during the next repair.
That's usually not the tap itself, but a leaking connector hose, isolation valve or the waste and trap. Put dry kitchen paper underneath and see where it gets wet first. A leaking hose is best replaced.
If the tap is in good condition, a new washer or new cartridge is often enough. If the tap is old, parts are no longer available or it's full of limescale, replacement is often wiser. We'll give you honest advice about this.
For repairing or replacing a tap we quote a guide price of €85 to €165, excluding the new tap if one is needed. You'll hear the final price in advance.
Yes. Do check that the tap fits the hole in the worktop or basin and the connections. Feel free to send a photo and we'll take a look with you.
Need help in The Hague or the Randstad?
Feel free to call us for advice or an appointment. In emergencies we're available 24/7.