Emergency tap repairs
Emergency Tap Repairs
A tap that drips, seizes, sprays or will not turn off is more than an annoyance, it wastes water and can leave you unable to use a sink or bath. We repair and replace kitchen and bathroom taps and get them working properly again.
A tap gets used dozens of times a day, so the small moving parts inside it wear out faster than you might expect. Usually that shows up as a drip, a stiff handle, or a flow that sprays rather than runs. None of it seems urgent at first, but a tap that will not turn off, or one leaking from the base, soon wastes water and leaves a sink or bath out of action. We repair and replace taps in kitchens and bathrooms, from a quick washer change to a new mixer.
Tap faults we fix
The tap problems we see most
These are the faults that bring us out to a tap, and most of them come down to a worn part rather than the whole fitting.
A tap that drips
A steady drip from the spout after you have turned the tap off usually means a worn washer, O-ring or cartridge. It is the most common fault of all, and left alone it wastes water and marks the sink or bath.
A tap that will not turn off
When the flow will not stop, the mechanism inside has failed and water keeps running until the supply is isolated. This one needs prompt attention to avoid waste and the risk of an overflow.
A seized or stiff tap
A tap that is hard to turn, or will not budge at all, is usually limescale or corrosion binding the internal parts. Forcing it can snap the handle, so it is better freed or renewed properly.
Spraying or spluttering
An uneven spray, a splutter or a weak flow often comes from a limescaled aerator, trapped air or a worn part, and it is usually a quick fix once we trace the cause.
Inside the tap
Which part has usually failed?
Most tap faults trace back to one small component rather than the whole tap, and which one it is depends on the type of tap you have. Working that out decides whether a simple repair will sort it.
- Washers. Traditional taps with separate hot and cold handles seal on a rubber washer that hardens and perishes with age, which starts the drip.
- Ceramic discs. Many quarter-turn and modern taps use a pair of ceramic discs; they are hard-wearing but can scratch or scale, leading to drips or stiffness.
- Cartridges. Single-lever mixer taps rely on a cartridge that sets flow and temperature; a worn one causes dripping, stiffness or poor mixing.
- O-rings and seals. These seal the spout and body; when they perish, water can weep from the base of the spout or around the handle.
- Aerators. The small mesh insert at the tip of the spout clogs with limescale and gives a weak or uneven flow.
Repair or replace
Is it worth repairing, or time for a new tap?
Plenty of taps are sorted simply by renewing the worn part, which is usually the quickest and cheapest route. We will tell you honestly when a repair is the sensible call and when it is money better spent elsewhere.
A new tap makes more sense when the body is corroded or scaled beyond saving, the fittings underneath are worn, spares are no longer made for an older model, or you simply fancy a change. Where a tap ties into wider kitchen plumbing or bathroom plumbing, we check the supply pipes and isolating valves at the same time.
What we check
- The washer, cartridge or ceramic discs for wear
- The O-rings and spout seals for leaks
- The isolating valves beneath the sink
- The aerator for scale and debris
- Every connection for leaks once the tap is refitted
What to do while you wait
If a tap will not turn off
When water is running and you cannot stop it at the tap, isolate the supply instead. Look for a small isolating valve on the pipe feeding the tap, usually in the cupboard under the sink, and turn the slot a quarter-turn with a flat screwdriver so it sits across the pipe. If there is no valve, or you cannot reach it, close your main stopcock to shut off the whole property. Our guide on turning off your water supply shows where to look. With the water off there is no rush, and we can repair or replace the tap safely. Keep any electrics near the sink dry, and if you ever smell gas, leave the property and call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999.
Getting a quote
What will a tap repair cost?
Changing a washer or cartridge is a small job, while a brand-new tap, or corroded fittings underneath, takes longer and brings in the cost of parts. Tell us the type of tap, what it is doing, and whether to repair or replace it, and we can give you a fair idea before we come out. Email us with your postcode or use the quote form above. Our guide on emergency plumber costs gives a wider sense of pricing, and our services page shows everything else we handle.
Frequently asked questions
Tap repairs, answered
Is a dripping tap worth repairing quickly?
Yes. A tap that drips steadily can waste a surprising amount of water over time and add to your bill, and the constant flow can stain the sink or bath. A drip is also a sign that an internal part, such as a washer or cartridge, is wearing out, so repairing it early is usually a small job that prevents a bigger one later.
My tap will not turn off, what should I do?
If a tap will not shut off and water keeps running, turn off the water supply to that tap. Many taps have a small isolating valve on the pipe beneath the sink that you can close with a flat screwdriver; if there is not one, or you cannot reach it, close your main stopcock to stop the flow. Once the water is off, call a plumber to repair or replace the tap mechanism.
Can a tap be repaired or does it need replacing?
Many tap faults are repaired by replacing an internal part such as a washer, O-ring, cartridge or ceramic disc, which is often the quickest and most economical fix. Replacement makes more sense when the tap body is corroded, the fittings are worn, parts are no longer available, or you want to change the tap. We advise on which option is better for your particular tap.
Why does my tap splutter or spray?
Spluttering or an uneven spray is often caused by a blocked or limescaled aerator at the tip of the spout, trapped air in the pipework, or a worn internal part. Cleaning or replacing the aerator resolves many cases, while persistent spluttering can indicate an air or supply issue that needs looking into. We identify the cause and put the right fix in place.
Tap dripping or stuck on?
Email our team for immediate help and safety guidance, or request a call back and we’ll get the information we need to arrange assistance in your area.