How do you fix a leaking tap?

Why taps drip

HDB's home care guide says a tap usually leaks when the washer is worn out. The washer is a small rubber part held by a nut at the bottom of the tap's spindle. So on a tap with a spindle and washer, replacing the washer is the first fix to try.

A drip is worth fixing early. PUB says a leaking tap can lose up to 2 litres of water per hour. Prolonged leaks lead to high water bills, water wastage and possible damage to your property.

If the problem is weak flow rather than a drip, that is a different issue. See our guide to low water pressure at home.

Identify the tap type

HDB's steps are written for a tap with a handle, a spindle and a rubber washer. Before you start, check that your tap matches that description.

Lever mixers and other taps are built differently, and this guide does not cover them. Follow the maker's manual, or ask a plumber whether a part can be replaced.

How to fix a leaking tap: replace the washer

These are HDB's steps for replacing a worn washer, with a final check added. You will need a spanner and a new rubber washer.

1. Shut off the water. Turn the ball valve below the basin, or the stop cock next to the water sub-meter, clockwise.
2. Remove the cap and screw. Take off the plastic cap and the screw on the tap.
3. Remove the handle. Take the handle off the tap.
4. Remove the spindle. Loosen the spindle anti-clockwise with a spanner and lift it out.
5. Replace the washer. Unscrew the nut at the bottom of the spindle and replace the worn rubber washer with a new one.
6. Re-assemble the tap. Put the spindle, handle, screw and cap back in place.
7. Turn the water back on and check. Open the valve or stop cock again, run the tap, then turn it off and watch for drips.

When to replace the whole tap

If a new washer does not stop the drip, or your tap is a type this guide does not cover, ask a plumber or handyman whether it can be repaired or should be replaced. PUB lists replacing or removing a tap or mixer among the simple plumbing works a handyman may do. Regulated water service and sanitary plumbing works must be done by a PUB Licensed Plumber. See which jobs need a licensed plumber for the wider picture.

When you buy a new tap, check its water efficiency label. Under PUB's Mandatory Water Efficiency Labelling Scheme, taps and mixers are rated with ticks for water efficiency. Products that are advertised, offered for sale or displayed must show the label prominently, and the registration number is on the label.

PUB recommends thimbles, which reduce excessive flow, for taps below a 2-tick WELS rating. To measure a tap's flow rate, collect the water for 6 seconds and multiply by 10 to get litres per minute.

The price of a new tap and fitting depends on the job. See tap replacement for companies' published prices.

Check for hidden leaks

A drip you can see is easy to spot. Other leaks are not. PUB's tips on finding leaks suggest a meter test: turn off all taps and water-using appliances, then watch the water meter for at least 10 minutes. If the dial moves, there is a leak. Under the sink, look for dripping, water stains, mould or peeling material.

PUB lists other signs of a leak at home:

• unusually high water bills
• the sound of running water or dripping at night when nothing is in use
• mould, discolouration or peeling paint on walls, floors or ceilings
• foul odours with no other source

If you find a leak, HDB says to shut the stopcock at the water sub-meter to cut the water supply. For help, see leak repair.

When to stop and call a professional

Not every leaking tap repair is a DIY job. Stop and call a professional if:

• the leak comes from the pipe or the wall, not the tap
• the valve or stop cock will not shut off the water
• parts are seized and will not turn
• the tap still drips after a new washer

PUB advises you to always engage a licensed plumber to detect and repair leaks. HDB notes that pipe joints can leak through use and deterioration over time or impact, and says to engage a licensed plumber for repairs where necessary.

Before you hire, PUB advises discussing the scope and cost first, asking for itemised quotes and getting at least three quotes. You can find licensed plumbers in the directory.

Questions