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That steady drip from your kitchen or bathroom tap might seem like a minor annoyance, but it adds up fast. A single dripping tap can waste over 20,000 litres of water a year, and with Gold Coast households paying close attention to water bills through the warmer months, that's not a cost worth ignoring.
The good news is that most leaking taps come down to one of a few common causes, and many are fixable with basic tools and about 30 minutes. In this guide, we'll walk through how to diagnose the type of tap you have, fix the leak yourself, and know when it's time to call a plumber instead.
Why Is My Tap Leaking?
Before you can fix a leaking tap, it helps to understand what's actually failing inside it. Most household taps fall into two categories, and each fails in a different way.
Worn washer (compression taps)
Older taps with a traditional turn-to-close handle use a rubber washer that seals against the valve seat. Over time, the washer hardens, cracks or flattens from repeated use, which lets water seep past it and drip from the spout.
Worn cartridge (mixer taps)
Modern lever-style mixer taps use a ceramic or plastic cartridge instead of a washer. Cartridges wear out from mineral deposits, worn O-rings, or general age, and a failing cartridge often causes dripping even when the tap is fully closed.
Damaged O-rings
If your tap leaks from around the base of the spout or handle rather than the spout itself, worn O-rings inside the tap body are the usual cause.
Corroded valve seat
In older homes, the valve seat that the washer presses against can corrode or become pitted, which stops the washer from forming a proper seal no matter how new it is.
How to Fix a Leaking Tap Yourself
- Turn off the water supply. Locate the isolation valve under the sink or at your property's main shut-off, and turn it off before starting any repair.
- Plug the drain. Cover the plughole with a cloth or plug so small parts like screws or washers don't fall down the drain while you're working.
- Remove the tap handle. Most handles are held by a single screw, often hidden under a decorative cap on top. Gently pry the cap off and unscrew the handle.
- Identify the tap type. If you see a rubber washer and a brass spindle, it's a compression tap. If you find a cylindrical cartridge instead, it's a mixer tap.
- Replace the worn part. For compression taps, unscrew the retaining nut, lift out the old washer, and fit a new one of the same size. For mixer taps, pull the old cartridge straight out and press the replacement in firmly.
- Reassemble and test. Put the tap back together, turn the water supply back on slowly, and check for drips at both the spout and the base of the tap.
Take the old washer or cartridge with you to the hardware store to make sure you buy an exact match. An ill-fitting replacement is one of the most common reasons a "fixed" tap starts dripping again within a week.
When a Leaking Tap Needs a Plumber
Some leaks are straightforward. Others point to a bigger issue that a washer or cartridge swap won't solve.
Call a licensed plumber if:
- The tap still leaks after replacing the washer or cartridge
- Water is leaking from behind the wall or under the sink, not just the tap itself
- The tap handle is loose, cracked, or difficult to turn
- You notice low water pressure alongside the leak
- The tap is old, and parts are no longer available for that model
- You're not confident shutting off and restoring the water supply safely
Persistent leaks despite a repair often mean the valve seat is damaged, which requires re-seating or full tap replacement rather than another washer swap.
If a leaking tap in your Gold Coast home isn't responding to a straightforward repair, it's worth getting a licensed plumber to take a look before the problem gets worse or starts damaging surrounding cabinetry. Get in touch with our team for a fast, upfront quote.
Preventing Leaking Taps
- Avoid over-tightening taps when turning them off, which accelerates washer and seat wear
- Replace washers proactively every few years in high-use taps like the kitchen sink
- Have your water pressure checked, since excessive pressure shortens the life of tap components
- Address a small drip early, before it wears down the valve seat and turns into a bigger repair
Final Thoughts
A leaking tap is one of the most common plumbing issues in Gold Coast homes, and in most cases it's an easy, affordable fix once you know whether you're dealing with a washer or a cartridge. If a repair doesn't hold, or the leak is coming from somewhere other than the spout, that's usually a sign it's time to bring in a professional.
Call Coastal Plumbing Professionals on 1300 590 085 for fast, honest tap repairs across the Gold Coast.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my tap still drip after I replaced the washer?
This usually means the valve seat underneath is corroded or pitted, which stops even a new washer from sealing properly. A plumber can re-seat or resurface it.
How do I know if my tap uses a washer or a cartridge?
Compression taps (traditional turn handles) use a washer and spindle. Lever-style mixer taps use a cartridge. Removing the handle will show you which type you have.
Is a dripping tap actually costing me much on my water bill?
Yes. A single dripping tap can waste more than 20,000 litres a year, which is a noticeable amount on most Gold Coast water bills over 12 months.
Can I fix a leaking tap without turning off the water?
No. Always isolate the water supply first. Working on a tap with the supply still on risks water damage and makes the repair far harder to complete safely.
When should I stop trying to DIY it and call a plumber?
If the leak persists after a washer or cartridge replacement, or you notice leaking behind the wall, low pressure, or a loose tap body, it's time to call a licensed plumber.
Resources
- Save water at home | Queensland Government
- WaterMark Certification Scheme | Australian Building Codes Board
- AS/NZS 3500 Plumbing and Drainage Standards
