How to fix a dripping tap

Taps are generally designed with one of three types of valve, so begin by identifying which kind you are dealing with. First, traditional designs use rubber washers on the end of a compression valve inside the tap. Second, the more modern design has a washer mechanism in the form of a ceramic disc that is part of the valve inside the tap. Third, there is the ceramic cartridge, which operates in a similar way to a ceramic disc except that it is designed for single monobloc taps (ie the ones where a single handle controls both flow and temperature). For options one and two simply turn the tap – if it is possible to rotate the handle through one or more turns, it is most likely a rubber washer design. If the handle only rotates through a quarter of a turn, it will be ceramic disc design.

You will need

1. • Screwdrivers (slot head and Phillips, large and small)
2. • Slip-joint pliers
3. • Adjustable spanner
4. • Cloth
5. • New washer, or ceramic disc valve, or ceramic cartridge - depending on tap type

Before you start
Make sure the tap is turned off at the isolation valve(s), normally situated on the supply pipes below the sink. Use a slot-head screwdriver to turn the screw slot from being aligned with the pipe direction to being across it – alternatively, there may be a handle, in which case shut it off. Turn on the tap to remove residual water from the top section of the pipe. If you don't have isolation valves like these, turn the water off at stop-valves further down the pipes – this can be the time to call in a plumber if you cannot locate these.
Remove the tap handle
You need to access the screw inside the handle that keeps it in place. Look for a small screw to undo on the tap head, or you may simply need to flip off the tap lid with a slot-head screwdriver, or it may simply unscrew by hand, or with the help of an adjustable spanner. There are many different designs, but some simple detective work will reveal the right option.
Unscrew the tap head, retaining the screw, and set it to one side – then lift off the tap head. Unscrew the shroud part of the tap (if it has one) by hand, or use slip-joint pliers to grip around the shroud and loosen it off. Use a cloth around the shroud so that the pliers don't scratch its surface.
With the valve now exposed, use an adjustable spanner to grip the nut section at the base of the valve, just where it joins the main tap body. Position the slip‑joint pliers (with a cloth) on the main tap body to hold it firmly in position, and then undo the valve with the adjustable spanner.
Replacing the washer
Once loosened, unscrew the valve by hand. If it is a ceramic disc valve, you must replace the whole thing with a new one.
If it is a valve with a rubber washer, flick off the washer with the end of a slot‑head screwdriver. Alternatively, some designs may require you to undo a small nut or screw to release the washer. Then simply fit a new one. Reassemble the tap, turn on the water and check that the drip is fixed, and that there are no leaks in the supply pipe.
For the ceramic cartridge design of tap, follow the instructions above to remove the cartridge. However, there are many different designs of cartridge, so you may need to order a replacement.