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Dripping tap repair across Chatham

Serving all ME postcodes from Rochester High Street to Walderslade, Rochester to Strood

Call us on 01634 123456
Home › Tap & Toilet Repairs › Dripping Tap Repair

A dripping tap wastes water (up to 15 litres a day for a steady drip), drives up your water bill if you're on a meter, and gets on your nerves with that constant drip-drip-drip sound. The fix is usually simple - a new washer or cartridge.

We'll turn off the water, take the tap apart, inspect the washer or cartridge, and replace it if needed. Most dripping tap repairs are done in under an hour.

No call-out fee when you book with us. Fixed price quoted before we start. Our 12-month guarantee is included with our membership plan.

Why Taps Drip

Worn washer

Traditional taps have a rubber washer that presses against the tap seat to stop water flowing. Over time the washer perishes and hardens, and water starts dripping past it. Replacing the washer (costs about £1) fixes it.

Faulty cartridge

Modern mixer taps and single-lever taps use ceramic disc cartridges instead of washers. When the cartridge fails (ceramic discs crack or seals perish), the tap drips. Replacing the cartridge costs £10-£30 depending on the brand.

Damaged tap seat

The tap seat is the metal surface the washer presses against. If it's scored or corroded, even a new washer won't seal properly. We can resurface it with a special tool, or if it's too bad, replace the whole tap.

How We Fix Dripping Taps

1

Turn off the water

We'll turn off the isolation valve under the sink or basin. If there isn't one (common in older properties), we'll turn off the main stop cock.

2

Take the tap apart

We'll remove the handle, unscrew the headgear or cartridge, and inspect the washer or ceramic discs to see what's failed.

3

Replace the faulty part

If it's a worn washer, we'll fit a new one. If it's a faulty cartridge, we'll replace it (we carry common sizes on the van). If the tap seat is damaged, we'll resurface it or recommend replacing the tap.

4

Reassemble and test

We'll put the tap back together, turn the water on, and check it's not dripping. If it's still dripping, we'll investigate further.

Signs You Need Tap Repair

⚠️

Constant drip from the spout

If the tap drips constantly even when fully turned off, the washer or cartridge has failed. It'll waste water and get worse over time.

⚠️

Leak from the handle

If water leaks from around the handle when the tap's running, the O-ring or gland packing has perished. Easy fix, we'll replace it.

⚠️

Squealing or juddering

If the tap squeals or judders when you turn it on, the washer's worn and vibrating against the tap seat. Replacing the washer fixes it.

Dripping Tap Repair Pricing

Upfront prices, no nasty surprises

We'll always tell you the cost before we start. These are typical price ranges, your exact quote depends on the job.

ServiceTypical Cost
Tap washer replacement£60 – £90
Tap cartridge replacement£80 – £120
O-ring replacement£50 – £80
New tap installation (if beyond repair)£100 – £180

All prices are estimated. Final costs depend on the specific job. We provide detailed quotes before starting work.

Common Questions

Got questions? Here's the quick answers.

How much does it cost to fix a dripping tap in Chatham?
Replacing a washer costs £60 to £90. Replacing a cartridge costs £80 to £120. If the tap's beyond repair (cracked body, seized mechanism), a new tap fitted costs £100 to £180 plus the cost of the tap itself.
How long does tap repair take?
Most dripping tap repairs take 30-45 minutes. We'll turn off the water, replace the washer or cartridge, reassemble the tap, and test it.
Can I fix a dripping tap myself?
If you're handy, yes. Turn off the water, take the tap apart (you'll need a spanner or Allen key depending on the tap), replace the washer or cartridge, and reassemble it. But if you're not confident or the tap's an unusual make, call us.
What if the tap's still dripping after you've fixed it?
If it's still dripping after we've replaced the washer or cartridge, the tap seat might be damaged or the tap body might be cracked. We'll inspect it and advise whether it can be repaired or needs replacing. We won't charge you twice for the same fault.
Should I replace the tap instead of repairing it?
If the tap's old, corroded, or has multiple problems (dripping, leaking from the handle, loose), it's often better to replace it than keep repairing it. A new tap costs £30-£200 depending on style, and we'll fit it for £100-£180.
Do you carry tap parts on the van?
We carry common washers and O-rings on the van. For cartridges, we carry a few popular brands (Franke, Grohe, B&Q own-brand) but if yours is an unusual make we might need to order the part and come back.
How much water does a dripping tap waste?
A tap that drips once per second wastes about 15 litres per day, or 5,500 litres per year. If you're on a water meter, that's costing you £5-£10 a year. Fix it and save water and money.
Can you fix old-fashioned taps?
Yes, as long as we can get parts for them. Traditional pillar taps and bib taps use standard washers which are easy to find. Some vintage taps need specific parts that might be hard to source, but we'll do our best.
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01634 123456
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Covering all Chatham postcodes

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