Few sounds in a home are quite as frustrating as the steady, rhythmic drip… drip… drip coming from the kitchen sink. Beyond the annoyance keeping you up at night, a dripping tap is a waste of water and money. In fact, a tap leaking just 10 drops a minute can waste over 1,000 litres of water a year, adding an unnecessary boost to your water bill.

If you are staring at your kitchen sink wondering why your tap won’t stop dripping, you’re in the right place.

What Type of Kitchen Tap Do You Have?

Before diagnosing the issue, you need to identify the style of tap installed in your kitchen. British homes generally feature one of two main designs:

  1. Traditional Pillar or Twin-Handle Taps: These use rubber washers to block the water flow. They require multiple turns of the handle to turn on fully.
  2. Modern Monobloc or Single-Lever Mixer Taps: These use ceramic disc cartridges. They usually require just a quarter-turn or a smooth lever movement to open the valve.

Knowing which type you have dictates why it is leaking and what spare part you need to fix it.

4 Common Reasons Your Kitchen Tap is Dripping

1. A Worn Rubber Washer (Traditional Taps)

If you have a traditional tap that requires multiple turns, a perished rubber washer is almost always the prime suspect. Every time you turn the tap off, the washer is squeezed against a metal valve seat to stop the water. Over time, friction and pressure cause the rubber to harden, crack, or wear thin, allowing water to trickle through the spout.

2. A Damaged Ceramic Disc Cartridge (Modern Taps)

Modern mixer taps rely on two polished ceramic discs sliding over each other to control water flow. While ceramic cartridges are far more durable than rubber washers, they are vulnerable to grit, sediment, and hard water limescale. If a tiny piece of limescale gets trapped between the discs, it scratches the surface, preventing a watertight seal and leading to a dripping spout.

3. Perished O-Rings (Leaking at the Base)

Is the water pooling around the base of the tap rather than dripping from the spout? This usually points to worn O-rings. The swivel spout on a kitchen tap relies on rubber O-rings at the joint to keep the water inside while allowing the spout to turn. Constant movement wears these rings down, causing water to seep out onto your worktop whenever the tap is running.

4. High Water Pressure

In some homes, taps drip sporadically because the mains water pressure is simply too high. If the pressure pushing against the internal valves exceeds what the tap is rated for, a small amount of water can force its way past the seals.

How to Fix a Dripping Kitchen Tap: Step-by-Step

Fixing a leaky tap is a very manageable DIY project if you have a few basic tools (an adjustable spanner, a screwdriver, and replacement parts).

Step 1: Turn Off the Water Supply

Crucial First Step: Never dismantle a tap while the water supply is live!

Look under your sink for the isolation valves (small metal joints on the pipework with a slot in the middle). Use a flathead screwdriver to turn the slot a quarter turn so it sits perpendicular to the pipe. If you don’t have isolation valves, turn off your home’s main stopcock. Once turned off, open the tap fully to drain any remaining water from the pipes.

Step 2: Access the Valve or Cartridge

  • Remove the decorative cap (hot/cold indicator) on the tap handle using a small flathead screwdriver or utility knife.
  • Unscrew the hidden screw underneath the cap.
  • Pull the handle off to expose the valve underneath.

Step 3: Replace the Damaged Component

For Washer Taps: Use an adjustable spanner to unscrew the brass valve head. Unscrew the small retaining nut holding the rubber washer in place at the bottom, swap it for a new washer of the exact same size, and reassemble.

For Ceramic Disc Taps: Use a spanner to grip the top of the cartridge and unscrew it from the tap body. Pop in an exact replacement ceramic cartridge. (Tip: Take your old cartridge to your local plumbing merchant to ensure you match the height, thread, and spline count).

Step 4: Reassemble and Test

Screw the tap components back together, taking care not to overtighten, and pop the handles back on. Turn your water supply back on slowly and check for leaks.

When Should You Call a Professional Plumber?

While swapping out a tap washer or O-ring is a straightforward DIY task, plumbing does not always go strictly to plan. You should call in an expert if:

  • The tap valve is seized: Corrosion can fuse old brass components together, making them impossible to budge without risking damage to the pipework under the sink.
  • The tap body itself is corroded or cracked: If the metal housing is pitted, a new washer won’t create a watertight seal, and the entire tap assembly will need replacing.
  • You aren’t sure how to isolate your water: If you can’t locate your isolation valves or stopcock, forcing a repair can result in a serious flood.