How to Stop Your Kitchen Tap from Dripping
A dripping tap can be one of the most irritating kitchen issues possible. After all, who wants to hear the constant drip drip drip of water all day long? However, if you’re up for it, fixing a dripping kitchen tap can be straightforward with the right equipment, even for a DIY novice.
Why is My Kitchen Tap Dripping?
One of the first things to do is assess why your tap is dripping. This could be down to general wear and tear, such as a dirty or broken ceramic disc cartridge, a loose seal, a worn-out washer, or something more complicated.
If you find upon inspection that it’s not as straightforward as cleaning or replacing your ceramic disc cartridge, or replacing a seal, we recommend contacting a professional plumber for advice.
What You'll Need to Fix a Dripping Tap
Before you start, make sure you have the following equipment to hand.
- Adjustable spanner
- Screwdriver or Alan key (flathead or cross head/Phillips, depending on your tap)
- Replacement washers and O-rings (if needed)
- Towels or rags (to mop up any leaks)
- PTFE tape (optional)
Steps to Stopping a Kitchen Tap from Dripping
- Once you’ve worked out why your kitchen tap is dripping, it’s time to get started on the fix. Depending on why your tap is dripping, the process below might differ slightly.
- Firstly, you’ll need to locate the stop cock to turn off your water supply. This is normally found in the cupboard underneath your kitchen sink. Once you have isolated the water supply, turn your tap on to let any residual water run out before you move forward.
- Your next task is to make sure to plug your sink as this will help to prevent any screws from going missing when you start to dismantle your tap.
- Next, you need to locate the small screw on your leaking tap. This should be on the underside of the handle/lever. Simply undo the screw with an Alan key, or screwdriver, depending on the size of the screw and slowly remove the tap handle.
- You then need to remove the tap cartridge with your adjustable spanner. You may find some slight water leakage when you remove the cartridge, so keep a cloth or old rag at hand to mop up any water.
- At this point, if you’ve found the cartridge has a build-up of limescale, you can attempt to clean it with a descaling solution as a potential fix, and simply fit the same cartridge again.
- To clean the cartridge, use a solution of one part white vinegar to one part warm water and leave to soak for around 10-15mins. You should then rinse the cartridge clean, and dry with a clean cloth before fitting again. With any luck, this will have fixed your dripping kitchen tap.
- However, if you have found the existing cartridge has seen better days and is beyond repair, you can easily fit a replacement cartridge.
- To fit your freshly cleaned or new cartridge simply screw your cartridge back in using your adjustable spanner. At this point, some taps might also have an additional screw to be inserted and this can be done with a standard screwdriver.
- Once you have re-fitted your tap cartridge you can now reattach the tap handle/lever, making sure it’s level before screwing in the small fitting screw too tightly.
- Now it’s time to turn the water back on and test your handy work. If your tap is running smoothly without dripping, congratulations, you have successfully fixed your dripping tap.
Replacing Dripping Taps
In some circumstances, your kitchen tap may be beyond repair and purchasing a completely new tap may be your best option. If this is the case, then now’s the time to look at the best replacement tap for your needs.
If you currently have a tap that uses two tap holes it’s best to purchase a new kitchen tap that also requires two tap holes, unless you’re willing to replace your kitchen sink and/or countertop too. Likewise, if your current kitchen tap requires just one tap hole it’s best to choose another which is suitable for just one tap hole too.
However, if you fancy an upgrade from a standard kitchen mixer tap, there are plenty of other options available, such as pull-out spray and boiling water taps. While boiling water taps provide hot, cold, and boiling water, pull-out spray taps feature a handy pull-out spray, perfect for washing up and cleaning vegetables.
For more information on the different types of kitchen taps available, take a look at our Kitchen Tap Buying Guide.
Replacement Kitchen Taps at Plumbworld
At Plumbworld, we stock a wide range of kitchen taps, allowing you to find the perfect replacement tap for your kitchen. From standard mixer taps, boiling water taps, and even pull-out spray options, to classic pillar taps, we have something to suit every need. Visit our website to view our full range of kitchen taps.
If you found this post useful, you may also like - A Guide to Replacing Kitchen Taps - How to Replace Basin Taps Step By Step - How to Clean Chrome Taps.
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