Plumbing and maintenance
Why taps drip and what actually fixes them
The short answer
A drip is a worn seal, not a mystery. What differs is whether the tap uses a washer or a ceramic cartridge, because that decides the repair.
Questions to ask any fitter
A tap that drips only after use often has a damaged seat rather than a worn washer alone.
Your questions answered
Is a dripping tap urgent?
Not usually, but a hot tap drip wastes heated water and can stain a basin.
Is repair or replacement better?
Repair is fine on good quality taps; on cheap mixers a cartridge can cost close to a new tap.
What to check
- 1
Traditional taps take a washer and sometimes a re-seat of the tap body; ceramic disc taps take a cartridge matched to the model.
- 2
A tap that drips only after use often has a damaged seat rather than a worn washer alone.
Talk through dripping taps with the person doing the work
Send a short description of the room and what you want to change. We'll come back with practical options rather than a brochure.