What Causes a Tap to Drip Constantly?
What Causes a Tap to Drip Constantly? The most common cause of a constantly dripping tap is a worn washer...
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What Causes a Tap to Drip Constantly?
The most common cause of a constantly dripping tap is a worn washer or O-ring inside the tap. On older tap sets the rubber washer hardens and stops sealing, while on modern mixer taps the usual culprit is a worn or scale-clogged ceramic cartridge. A corroded valve seat or high water pressure can also keep a tap dripping, even after a new washer is fitted.
A dripping tap is easy to ignore, but it wastes water, adds to your bill, and can quietly stain and damage your sink and benchtop. This guide covers every common cause, what each fix costs in Sydney, and when a drip is worth a quick plumber visit.
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The usual suspects, at a glance
- Worn washer: the rubber washer hardens and cracks with age (the number one cause).
- Damaged valve seat: the metal seat the washer presses against becomes pitted or corroded.
- Perished O-ring: the seal around the spindle or spout dries out and lets water past.
- Worn ceramic cartridge: in mixer taps, the ceramic disc wears or scales up and stops sealing.
- High water pressure: excess pressure forces water past the seals and speeds up wear.
Most drips are a quick, low-cost fix, and R&G Plumbing charges a $0 call-out fee.
What Is the Most Common Cause of a Dripping Tap?
On traditional tap sets (the kind with separate hot and cold handles), the number one cause is a worn tap washer. Every time you turn the tap off, a small rubber washer presses down onto a metal seat to stop the water. Over years of use that rubber hardens, cracks or wears out of shape, so it no longer forms a tight seal and water drips through. Replacing the washer usually solves it, and it is one of the cheapest plumbing jobs there is.
On modern mixer taps (a single lever for hot and cold), there is no rubber washer. Instead a ceramic disc cartridge controls the flow. When that cartridge wears down or clogs with mineral scale, the tap starts to drip and needs a cartridge replacement or clean.
Common Causes of a Constantly Dripping Tap
Here are the faults a plumber checks for when a tap will not stop dripping, and the usual fix for each:
Cause | Why it drips | Typical fix |
|---|---|---|
Worn washer | The rubber washer that seals the flow hardens and cracks with age | Replace the washer |
Damaged valve seat | The metal seat the washer presses onto becomes pitted, so a new washer still will not seal | Reseat / regrind the seat |
Perished O-ring | The O-ring around the spindle or spout dries out, causing drips at the handle or base | Replace the O-ring |
Worn ceramic cartridge | In mixer taps the ceramic disc wears or scales up and stops sealing | Replace or descale the cartridge |
High water pressure | Excess pressure forces water past the seals and can cause water hammer | Fit or adjust a pressure limiting valve |
Loose or worn parts | Loose spindles or worn internal parts let water seep through | Tighten or replace the parts |
Why a new washer sometimes does not fix it
If your tap keeps dripping even after a fresh washer, the valve seat underneath is almost always the problem. Years of the washer pressing down can wear a groove or corrode the seat, so no washer will seal against it. The fix is to reseat (regrind) the seat with a special tool, which a licensed plumber does in the same visit.
Why You Should Not Ignore a Dripping Tap
A single drip feels harmless, but it adds up fast and can lead to bigger problems:
According to Sydney Water, a tap dripping about once a second wastes roughly 15 to 20 litres a day, around 6,000 litres a year from a single tap. Two or three dripping taps can add noticeably to your water bill.
- Higher water bills: that wasted water shows up on your quarterly bill.
- Damage to fixtures: constant dripping stains and etches sinks, basins and benchtops over time.
- Mould and moisture: moisture around a leaking tap or under the sink can lead to mould.
- Wear on the system: the drip and any water hammer put ongoing stress on your tapware and pipes.
- A small fix becomes a big one: left long enough, a worn seat turns a cheap washer fix into a full tap replacement.
That Drip Is Costing You
We fix dripping and leaking taps across Sydney the same day, with a $0 call-out fee and an upfront fixed price.
How Much Does It Cost to Fix a Dripping Tap in Sydney? (2026)
A dripping tap is one of the more affordable plumbing repairs. Here are typical 2026 Sydney prices (parts and labour combined):
Repair | Typical Sydney cost |
|---|---|
Washer replacement | $100 – $200 |
O-ring replacement | $80 – $150 |
Tap reseat / valve seat regrind | $120 – $280 |
Ceramic cartridge replacement | $120 – $280 |
Full tap replacement (supply & install) | $200 – $500 |
Mixer tap replacement | $200 – $550 |
Can You Fix a Dripping Tap Yourself?
Swapping a washer on a traditional tap is a common DIY job if you are confident, have the right washer, and turn off the water at the mains first. That said, there are a few times when DIY costs more than it saves:
- When it will not stop: the drip keeps going after a new washer (the seat likely needs regrinding with a proper tool).
- Modern and hidden taps: mixer taps and in-wall or concealed taps are easy to damage and use brand-specific cartridges.
- Leaks below the tap: water appears at the base of the tap or under the sink, which points to a different fault.
- Licensing: in NSW, certain plumbing work must be carried out by a licensed plumber.
A licensed plumber diagnoses the real cause the first time, carries common washers, O-rings and cartridges on the van, and fixes it so it stays fixed.
How a Tap Repair Works With R&G
No guesswork and no surprise bills. Here is exactly what happens once you get in touch:
- Call or book online: tell us what is happening. We book a time that suits, often same day, with no call-out fee.
- On-site diagnosis: your plumber finds the real cause, not just the symptom, and explains it in plain English.
- Upfront fixed quote: you get a clear, fixed price before any work starts. No hidden extras.
- Fixed and guaranteed: we do the job properly, test it, tidy up, and back the work with a guarantee.
Why Choose R&G Plumbing, Gas & Drainage
We fix dripping and leaking taps for homes and businesses across Sydney and the North Shore, with fast, licensed service and no surprises on price.
- $0 call-out fee: you only pay for the work, never just for us arriving.
- Upfront fixed pricing: a clear, fixed quote before we start, with no hidden extras.
- Same-day repairs: washers, O-rings and cartridges on the van, so most taps are fixed the same day.
- All taps and brands: we work on all tap types and brands, from traditional tap sets to modern mixers.
- Licensed and insured: fully licensed plumbers, with work compliant to Australian standards.
About The Author
Written by the team at R&G Plumbing, Gas & Drainage
R&G Plumbing began with a simple idea: look after people the way you would look after your own family. Show up when you say you will, do the job right the first time, and leave every place better than you found it. A Gordon-based local team with close to two decades of hands-on experience, R&G is one licensed crew for the whole job, blocked drains, hot water, gas fitting, taps and pipe relining, with a $0 call-out fee and an upfront fixed price on every visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common cause of a dripping tap?
On traditional taps it is a worn washer that no longer seals. On mixer taps it is usually a worn or scaled ceramic cartridge. A corroded valve seat or perished O-ring can also be to blame.
Why does my tap keep dripping even after a new washer?
The valve seat underneath has most likely worn or corroded, so the new washer cannot seal against it. A plumber fixes this by reseating (regrinding) the seat in the same visit.
Is a dripping tap expensive to fix?
No, it is one of the cheaper plumbing jobs. In Sydney a washer replacement is usually $100 to $200, and a ceramic cartridge $120 to $280. A full tap replacement runs $200 to $500.
How much water does a dripping tap waste?
According to Sydney Water, a tap dripping about once a second wastes roughly 15 to 20 litres a day, around 6,000 litres a year from a single tap.
Can I fix a dripping tap myself?
A washer swap on a traditional tap is a common DIY job if you turn off the water first. If the drip continues, it is a mixer or in-wall tap, or water appears at the base, it is best to call a licensed plumber.
Is a dripping tap an emergency?
A slow drip is not an emergency, but it is worth fixing quickly to stop wasted water and fixture damage. Water leaking from the base of a tap or inside a wall is more urgent.
Do you charge a call-out fee to fix a tap?
No. R&G Plumbing has a $0 call-out fee, so you only pay for the actual repair work.
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