What could cause a dripping tap?
What could cause a dripping tap?

Why do taps drip?

There are a few reasons why your tap might be dripping. The most common are:

• A faulty tap washer
• Too high-water pressure
• Issues with the tap valve

If you are not sure why your tap is dripping, you should call a plumber. But there are a few things you can check first.

A drip caused by a faulty tap washer

Traditional taps have a watertight plastic tap washer or O-ring, which directs water towards the seat of the faucet and out through the spout. Over time, washers degrade, often resulting in a dripping tap. The good news is that washers are not expensive, tend to come in standard sizes, can be bought in packs (so you always have one to hand), and fitting a new one is straightforward.

The washer sits underneath the tap valve and is easy to spot if a tap is dismantled. And, if you have older style taps, this is very likely the cause of the drip. However, you should always check with a qualified plumber/installer if you are in any doubt.

Find out how to replace a faulty tap washer here

A drip caused by issues with the tap valve

Today, most modern fixtures are washerless and come with ceramic discs or valves. And while these are super-durable and require far less maintenance than a plastic washer, from time-to-time, problems do arise. This is particularly true in hard water areas where they are more likely to degrade. So, if your tap has an annoying drip, the valve could be the cause.
Ceramic tap cartridges might be made of brass, chrome, zinc or plastic. It is easy to see if a tap has a ceramic valve once it is dismantled, but it is best to check with a qualified plumber/installer if you are in any doubt.
It might be possible to fix a faulty ceramic tap cartridge with a descale and clean. But if the disc is scratched, worn or otherwise damaged, it will need to be replaced. To find out if the valve needs replacing or cleaned, you will need to dismantle the tap and inspect the valve.
Find out how to do this here

Prevention is better than cure

Taps with ceramic discs require less maintenance. So, if you want to reduce the chances of dripping faucets, it is worth investing in newer, more modern fixtures to improve long-term durability.
Furthermore, just like the rest of your kitchen or bathroom, the insides of your taps will benefit from a quick clean. Indeed, cleaning and descaling your tap cartridges every so often will prevent the build-up of limescale and stop problems from occurring in the first place.

Find out how to clean a tap valve. 
A leaky tap can be both costly and hugely annoying, so knowing how to fix the drip is a great skill to have. Not only will you solve the problem quickly, but you also won’t have the expense of paying someone else to do it.