Quick answer: A dripping tap is almost always caused by a worn rubber washer. Turn off the water, remove the tap handle, unscrew the headgear with a spanner, swap the old washer for a new one (under £1 from any hardware store), and reassemble. Total time: about 10 minutes.
A dripping tap wastes about 5,500 litres of water per year and costs you £20–£30 extra on a metered water bill. More importantly, that constant drip will drive you mad. I replace tap washers on the job regularly — it's one of the simplest plumbing fixes there is. A plumber would charge £80–£150 for this. You can do it for under a quid.
Which Type of Tap Do You Have?
Traditional Taps (Separate Hot and Cold)
These have individual handles you turn clockwise to close. Inside is a brass headgear with a rubber washer at the bottom that presses against a valve seat. When the washer wears down, water seeps past it and drips. This is the most common tap type in UK kitchens and bathrooms, especially in homes built before 2000.
Ceramic Disc Taps (Quarter-Turn)
These only need a quarter turn to go from off to full flow. Instead of a washer, they use two ceramic discs that slide over each other. When they wear or get debris trapped between them, the tap drips. The fix is replacing the ceramic cartridge rather than a washer.
Mixer Taps (Single Lever)
One lever controls both hot and cold. These use a cartridge mechanism. If a mixer tap drips, you need to replace the cartridge specific to your tap brand and model. Cartridges cost £8–£20.
How to Fix a Traditional Dripping Tap
What you'll need: adjustable spanner, flat-head screwdriver, replacement washer (1/2" for basin taps, 3/4" for bath taps), cloth or towel.
1
Turn off the water supply
Find the isolation valve under the tap and turn it clockwise until it stops (the slot should be perpendicular to the pipe). If there's no isolation valve, turn off the mains at the stopcock (usually under the kitchen sink). Open the tap to drain any water left in the pipe.
2
Remove the tap handle
Most tap handles have a decorative cap on top marked "H" or "C" (or a coloured disc). Prise it off gently with a flat-head screwdriver. Underneath is a screw — remove it and lift the handle straight up off the spindle. If it's stuck, wiggle it gently while pulling up.
3
Unscrew the headgear
You'll see a large brass nut (the headgear). Wrap the jaws of your adjustable spanner with a cloth to avoid scratching the tap, then grip the nut and turn anti-clockwise. It may be tight if it hasn't been removed in years — firm, steady pressure works better than sudden force. Once loose, unscrew it fully by hand and lift the whole assembly out.
4
Replace the washer
At the bottom of the headgear, you'll see a small rubber washer held by a nut or pressed into a retaining ring. Prise the old washer out (it will likely be worn, compressed, or cracked — that's your culprit). Press the new washer into place. Make sure it's the same size: 1/2 inch (13mm) for basin and kitchen taps, 3/4 inch (19mm) for bath taps.
5
Reassemble the tap
Screw the headgear back in by hand first, then tighten with the spanner (clockwise). Don't overtighten — just snug enough that it doesn't move. Replace the handle, screw, and decorative cap.
6
Turn the water back on and test
Turn the isolation valve back on (or the mains stopcock). Turn the tap on and off a couple of times. The drip should be gone. If it still drips very slightly, the valve seat inside the tap body may be worn — a reseating tool (£5–£10) can fix this, or it may be time for a new tap.
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Pro tip: Buy a multi-pack of assorted washers (£2–£3 from Screwfix or B&Q). They contain both sizes plus O-rings. Keep them in your toolbox — you'll use them over the years and they never go off.
How to Fix a Ceramic Disc or Mixer Tap
The process is similar but instead of replacing a washer, you replace the entire cartridge:
1
Turn off water and remove the handle
Same as above. The handle may be held by a grub screw underneath or at the back (you'll need a small Allen key).
2
Remove the cartridge
The ceramic cartridge unscrews or lifts out once the retaining nut is removed. Take the old cartridge to a hardware store or search for your tap brand online to find the exact replacement. Cartridges are brand-specific — unlike washers, they're not universal.
3
Drop in the new cartridge and reassemble
Insert the new cartridge, tighten the retaining nut, replace the handle. Turn the water back on and test.
💡 Not sure what type of tap you have? Take a photo and describe it to Reslvr — our AI will identify your tap type and walk you through the exact fix. Try it free →
Save Money vs Call a Professional
Fix
DIY Cost
Plumber Cost
You Save
Replace tap washer
£0.50 – £2
£80 – £150
£78 – £150
Replace ceramic cartridge
£8 – £20
£100 – £180
£80 – £170
Replace entire tap
£20 – £80 (tap) + moderate DIY
£100 – £250
£50 – £170
Replacing a tap washer is one of the best-value DIY fixes in the home. The part costs under £1, the job takes 10 minutes, and a plumber would charge £80–£150 for the same thing. Even if you've never done plumbing before, this is an achievable first project.
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Stuck taps: If the headgear is seized and won't turn, don't force it — you risk cracking the tap body or damaging the pipework underneath. Apply some WD-40 or penetrating oil, leave it for an hour, then try again. If it still won't budge, a plumber has specialist tools that can free it without damage.
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In traditional taps, a worn rubber washer is the cause in 90%+ of cases. The washer sits inside the headgear and presses against a valve seat when you close the tap. Over time it compresses, cracks, or perishes, and water seeps through. A replacement washer costs under £1 and takes 10 minutes to fit.
In 2026, expect £80–£150 for a plumber to fix a dripping tap in the UK. This includes a callout fee of £60–£120 plus 15–30 minutes of work. The washer itself costs under £1 — so you're paying almost entirely for the plumber's time and travel.
Standard UK sizes are 1/2 inch (13mm) for basin and kitchen taps, and 3/4 inch (19mm) for bath taps. If you're not sure, take the old washer to B&Q or Screwfix and match it. A multi-pack with both sizes costs £2–£3.
Yes. Instead of a washer, mixer taps use a cartridge. You remove the handle, unscrew the retaining nut, pull out the old cartridge, and drop in a new one. Cartridges cost £8–£20 and are specific to your tap brand. The process takes about 15 minutes.
A tap dripping once per second wastes approximately 15 litres per day — that's about 5,500 litres per year. On a water meter, that adds £20–£30 to your annual bill. A fast drip wastes even more. Fixing it with a £1 washer pays for itself immediately.