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Plumbing Tips

Why is my tap dripping?

3 min readGas Safe registered advice · Birmingham 

Black composite kitchen sink with a modern pull-out mixer tap installed in an oak worktop

Dripping taps are the most common plumbing complaint we hear, and usually one of the cheapest to put right.

Traditional taps

Taps with separate hot and cold heads that turn several times use a rubber washer. Once it hardens or splits it can no longer seal, and a replacement washer resolves it.

Quarter-turn and mixer taps

Modern taps use ceramic disc cartridges. These can't be re-washered; the cartridge is replaced as a unit, matched to the tap make and size.

Other causes

Limescale on the seat, a worn valve seating, or unusually high mains pressure can all cause a drip that returns quickly after a repair. Birmingham's water is moderately hard, so scale is worth ruling out.

When to call someone

If you can't isolate the water supply, the tap is seized, or the drip is coming from the body rather than the spout, get a plumber out before a small leak damages a cabinet or ceiling. If you'd rather not tackle it yourself, we cover Birmingham and surrounding areas, seven days a week.

Want it done for you?

If you want your plumbing or heating problem fixed professionally for you, contact Matt Plumbing & Heating today for fast, reliable service across Birmingham and surrounding areas.

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