Tips for fixing a dripping tap yourself

Most of us are familiar with the sound of a leaky tap. It’s best to get it repaired quickly, so you can save water and stop the problem getting any worse.

The good news is that a dripping tap can be quite simple to fix – if you’ve got the right tools, and our handy how-to guide at your fingertips.

Read on for step-by-step guidance on how to fix a dripping tap, whether you’ve got traditional compression valve taps or ceramic disc taps.

First up: get the right tools for fixing a dripping tap

You’ll need:

• Adjustable spanner
• Flathead screwdriver
• Cross-head screwdriver

Top tips for getting started:

• Cover up the plughole under the tap to stop any small parts going down the drains
• If you have them, wear protective goggles while you’re working

6 steps to fixing a compression valve tap (traditional)

It’s likely that you have traditional compression valve taps in your home. There’s a simple way to tell: if you need to turn your tap more than a quarter of the way around to get the full flow of water, you’ve got a compression valve tap.

If your tap only turns a quarter of the way, skip to Fixing a ceramic disc tap

1. Turn off your water
   
   If you have an isolation valve (normally underneath the sink on the pipes), turn it using your screwdriver until the water supply switches off.
   
   If you don’t have a built-in isolation valve, you can turn off the water using the stopcock (normally found under the kitchen sink). Turn one of the taps on and then turn the stopcock until the water stops running. This tells you that the tap is drained, and the water is off.
2. Take off the handle cover
   
   Next, you need to access the screw that holds everything in place. To do this, you might need to remove the handle cover or cap from your tap first. When you’ve done this, you should be able to see the screw – use your screwdriver or fingers to remove it. You should now be able to see the valve.
3. Remove the valve cover
   
   Now it’s time to loosen and remove the valve cover – that’s the bit you can turn.
   
   Here’s how:
   - Use your screwdriver to turn the top screw
   - Loosen the valve with an adjustable spanner
   - Take the valve out
   - Use the adjustable spanner to hold the valve steady
   - Using your screwdriver, take out the screw holding the washer
4. See if your tap seat is damaged
   
   Many leaks happen because of an issue with the tap seat – the bit that holds the washer and seals the tap when it’s off. If it looks worn, rusty or rough, that is probably causing the problem.
   
   You can buy a new seating set and washer, or you can smooth the tap seat down with a seat grinder tool.
5. Check whether your tap washer needs replacing
   
   If your tap seat looks fine, your washer might be damaged and need replacing.
6. Put all the tap pieces back together
   
   Replace your tap seat and washer, and screw in the valve, tap cover and handle. Switch your water supply back on and try your tap… If it’s still dripping after you’ve followed all of these steps, get a professional to come and give you a hand.

4 steps to fixing a ceramic disc tap

Does your dripping tap only turn a quarter of the way round? If yes, it probably has a ceramic disc inside the valve, so the steps to fix it will be slightly different to the above.

1. Turn off your water supply
   
   If you have an isolation valve (normally underneath the sink on the pipes), turn it using your screwdriver until the water supply switches off.
   
   If you don’t have a built-in isolation valve, you can turn off the water using the stopcock (normally found under the kitchen sink). Turn one of the taps on and turn the stopcock until the water has stopped running and the tap is drained.
2. Take off the headgear
   
   The removable top on a ceramic disc tap is called the headgear. You can usually remove it by hand, or with an Allen key or screwdriver.
3. Unscrew the nut
   
   We recommend holding the tap still with one hand and unscrewing the hexagonal nut (on the neck of the valve) with an adjustable spanner.
4. Take out the valve
   
   Remove the ceramic disc valve. If it’s damaged, it’s an easy switch to replace it. The valves come in two types, so take yours to the hardware shop to make sure you’re buying the correct replacement. When you’ve got your new valve in position, put the rest of the tap pieces back together.

If the tap is still dripping…

If there’s still a problem, get a professional in to take a look.

Get help with a repair + cover

If you’ve got a current fault in your home, such as a tap that just won’t stop dripping, our friends at OVO can help with Home Recover. They can repair your fault (including that dripping tap, as long as the problem isn’t from a failed ceramic washer) and set you up with their most comprehensive home emergency plan.

• If you already get your energy from OVO, your repair will be free of charge when you take out their Home Recover package (which includes your initial repair and their Complete cover plan).
• If you’re not an OVO customer, they can still fix the problem for £79 when you sign up to their Home Recover package. Find out more on 0330 102 8905 or sign up online.¹

Don’t need a repair?

If you don’t need a repair right now and just want to protect your home from future faults, check out our plans for boiler and home emergency cover you can trust.

¹ Terms, eligibility and cancellation fees apply.