Plumber for dripping tap repair
Leaking Tap Repair Sydney
A dripping tap is one of the most common plumbing problems in Sydney homes, and one of the easiest to ignore.
If you’d rather just have it sorted, Our Plumbers at R&G Plumbing Drainage & Gas repair all types of leaking taps across Sydney, same-day where possible, with a $0 call-out fee and a fixed price before any work starts.
$0, every job
Sydney-wide
Same-day, 24/7
NSW Licensed & Insured
What Causes a Leaking Tap?
Almost every leaking tap comes down to a worn internal part, a damaged sealing surface, or too much pressure behind it. Knowing which one you are dealing with is what tells you whether it is a five-minute washer change or a job for a plumber. Here is what is usually going on.
On traditional taps, a rubber washer presses down onto a metal seat every time you turn the tap off. Over years of use, that rubber hardens, splits and wears until it no longer seals, and the tap drips from the spout. This is the single most common cause of a dripping tap, and on a standard tap it is also the cheapest to fix.
O-rings seal the moving parts of the tap so water does not escape around the handle or the base. When they dry out and perish, you get a leak that appears around the top or base of the tap rather than from the spout. Replacing the O-rings and seals resolves that particular leak.
Modern single-lever mixer taps do not use a washer at all. Instead, two ceramic discs slide across each other to control flow and temperature. When that cartridge wears, the mixer drips, becomes stiff or hard to position, or weeps at the base. The fix is a new cartridge rather than a washer, which is why identifying your tap type matters (more on that below).
The seat is the surface the washer closes against. If it becomes corroded, pitted or scored - often from a worn washer being left too long - a brand-new washer still will not seal against it, and the tap keeps dripping. The fix here is reseating: machining the surface smooth again with a reseating tool. This is the step where most do-it-yourself repairs come unstuck.
Mains pressure runs high in a lot of Sydney suburbs. Excess pressure hammers washers and cartridges and wears them out far faster than normal, so taps that were repaired recently start dripping again. If leaks keep recurring across several taps in the house, the underlying cause is often pressure, and a pressure-limiting valve is the proper long-term fix rather than repeated washer changes.
Minerals in the water and years of daily use gradually corrode internal components and, eventually, the tap body itself. Once the body is corroded or the fittings are seized, repair stops being worthwhile, and replacement becomes the sensible option. A tap over about 10 to 15 years old that has started leaking is often at this point.
Signs You Have a Leaking Tap
Some leaks are obvious. Others hide under the sink or behind an appliance until they have already done damage. Watch for:
If you've noticed any of these warning signs, your tap may have an underlying issue that needs attention. Getting it checked early can help prevent leaks, water damage and more costly repairs.
Call 0461 330 531Why a Small Drip Is Worth Taking Seriously
It is easy to walk past a slow drip, but it rarely stays small. A steadily dripping tap can waste thousands of litres of water a year - water you are paying for, quarter after quarter, that goes straight down the drain. If the leak is on the hot side, you are also paying to heat it.
There is damage to think about too. Water pooling around the base of a tap or seeping under the sink slowly swells cabinetry, lifts benchtops, marks tiles and can lead to mould.
A drip is also a symptom: the same worn part that lets a little water past today tends to fail later, usually at an inconvenient moment. Dealing with it early is almost always cheaper and less disruptive than waiting.
When to Call a Licensed Plumber for Leaking Tap Repair in Melbourne
Plenty of drips are beyond a straightforward washer change, and trying to force those usually costs more in the end. It is worth calling a licensed plumber when:
- The drip comes straight back after a new washer - the seat is almost certainly damaged and needs reseating.
- It is a mixer tap - cartridges vary by brand and are easy to damage or mismatch.
- The leak is at the base, behind the wall, or coming from the pipework rather than the tap itself.
- There is no isolation valve, and you are not comfortable shutting off and draining the main.
- The tap or fittings are corroded, seized, or the tap simply needs replacing.
- Several taps keep leaking, which usually points to high water pressure that needs addressing at the source.
We carry common washers, O-rings and cartridges on the van, so most leaking tap repairs are diagnosed and finished in a single visit. There is a $0 call-out fee, and you get a fixed price before any work begins. Call 0461 330 531 or request a quote online.
How to Fix a Leaking Tap Yourself: Step by Step
If you have a simple, accessible washer tap dripping from the spout, this is a reasonable job to try yourself. If it is a mixer, a leak inside the wall, or a tap you cannot isolate, skip to the next section - that is genuinely plumber territory.
The Steps
- Turn off the water. Use the isolation valve (a small quarter-turn tap) on the pipe under the sink. If there is no isolation valve, turn off the water main. Then open the tap to release any water still in the line.
- Block the drain. Put the plug in or cover the drain with a cloth so small parts cannot disappear down it.
- Remove the handle. Prise off the coloured hot/cold button or the cap on top, undo the screw underneath, and lift the handle off. Note the order of everything as it comes apart.
- Expose the internals. Unscrew the cover or skirt, then use your spanner to undo the bonnet (body nut) and lift out the spindle. On a mixer, remove the retaining nut and lift out the cartridge instead.
- Replace the worn part. On a washer tap, swap the washer at the base of the spindle (and the O-ring on the spindle if it is perished). On a mixer, fit the new cartridge. Use the exact size and type.
- Check the seat. If you have replaced the washer before and it still dripped, the seat is likely damaged and needs reseating with a reseating tool - this is the usual point to stop and call a plumber.
- Reassemble and test. Put it back together in reverse order, do not over-tighten, turn the water back on slowly, and run the tap to confirm the drip has stopped.
Real Reviews from Satisfied Clients
I really appreciated the honest advice, attention to detail, and fair pricing. I highly recommend R&G Plumbing to anyone looking for reliable, fairly priced, and professional plumbing services.
Thank you again to the entire R&G Plumbing team!
Initially, it looked like the floor would need to be dug up for a 1.5 day job$$, which we couldn’t afford. Instead, Jack kept investigating and found another access point through our neighbour’s carpark ceiling. He organised access to neighbours garage, removed the roots, and repaired the pipe at a much more affordable price. The roots were way worse than we expected.
As a young couple and first home buyers, this was our first time dealing with a plumber and we were pretty stressed since we thought it was a simple blockage but it turned out to be a complex issue. I gotta check the drainage when im purchase property in the future. Learnt my lesson!
Jeremy and Zac explained everything clearly and provided a detailed report and invoice so we can raise it with strata, as the drainage is linked to other units and may have further issues.
Really grateful for the honesty and effort. We’ve definitely found a plumber we trust and would happily connect with Jeremy’s team again.
Leaking Tap Repairs Across Sydney
We repair leaking taps across northern Sydney and surrounding suburbs, with the North Shore as our priority area. Not sure if we cover your suburb? Call, and we will confirm on the spot.
North Shore & Lower North Shore
Hornsby, Wahroonga, Turramurra, Pymble, Gordon, Warrawee, Killara, Lindfield, Roseville, Chatswood, Willoughby, Artarmon, St Leonards, Crows Nest, North Sydney and Mosman, plus Macquarie Park, North Ryde, Epping and Eastwood.
The Hills & Central North
Castle Hill, Baulkham Hills, Seven Hills, Winston Hills, Northmead, Carlingford, North Parramatta and Parramatta.
Western Sydney
Mount Druitt, Blacktown and the surrounding suburbs.
Leaking Tap Repair FAQs
How do you stop a tap from dripping?
Identifying the tap type first is essential: match the fix to the mechanism, and the leak stops; guess wrong, and it keeps dripping. If the drip continues after a new washer, the seat itself is likely damaged and needs reseating, which is where a licensed plumber's tools make the difference.
Is a dripping tap always the washer?
No - and this is the most common mistake. Only traditional compression taps use a washer. Single-lever mixer taps use a ceramic cartridge, so fitting a washer will not help and can make the leak worse. Identifying the tap type first is essential: match the fix to the mechanism, and the leak stops; guess wrong, and it keeps dripping.
How much will a plumber charge to fix a leaking tap in Sydney?
It depends on the tap type, the part required, and how accessible the tap is - a washer or O-ring is a small job, while a cartridge or a full tap replacement costs more. Because we charge a $0 call-out fee and give a fixed price before starting, you know the cost before any work happens, with nothing added afterwards. If you have several taps leaking, doing them in one visit is more economical than separate call-outs.
Is it worth fixing a dripping tap?
Almost always. A steady drip can waste thousands of litres a year and quietly damage cabinets, benchtops and tiles - and if it is the hot tap, you are paying to heat wasted water. The repair is usually inexpensive relative to the water and damage it prevents. Fixing it early also keeps the job small, before a worn washer scores the seat and turns a simple repair into a larger one.
Can I fix a leaking tap myself?
If it is a straightforward washer tap dripping from the spout and you can isolate the water, changing the washer is a reasonable DIY job. Turn the water off first, match the replacement part, and do not over-tighten on reassembly. Call a plumber if the drip returns after a new washer, if it is a mixer tap, if the leak is at the base or in the wall, or if you cannot isolate the water safely.
Why does my tap keep leaking after I replaced the washer?
Usually because the valve seat is damaged, the wrong washer was fitted, or high water pressure is wearing parts out quickly. A new washer cannot seal against a scored seat. A plumber can reseat the tap and test your water pressure so the repair actually lasts, rather than dripping again within weeks.
Who is responsible for a leaking tap in a rental?
Generally, the landlord or agent, as tap washers and minor leaks fall under maintaining the property - but check your tenancy agreement and report the leak promptly. Sydney Water is only responsible for leaks on their side of the water meter, not your taps or internal pipework.
How quickly can you repair a leaking tap?
In most cases, the same day, and usually in a single visit, because we carry common washers, O-rings and cartridges on the van. More complex jobs or full tap replacements can take a little longer, which we confirm after assessing the tap.
What types of taps do you repair?
Kitchen taps, bathroom and basin taps, shower and bath taps, laundry taps, mixer taps, garden taps and outdoor hose taps - both traditional washer taps and modern ceramic-disc mixers, and repair or full replacement as needed.
Tell us what is leaking and where it is, and our team will come back to you quickly with a transparent, no-obligation quote. $0 call-out fee, same-day service where available, and licensed plumbers on every job.
We assess the problem and quote before any work starts.
Across Sydney, with 24/7 availability for urgent blockages.
Fully licensed, insured, and backed by a workmanship guarantee.
Tell us what is going on and our team will get back to you quickly.
Whether the yard is already under water or you just want it checked before the wet season, call R&G for CCTV diagnosis, high pressure clearing, a $0 call out fee and a fixed price before any work starts.