Leaking Tap Repair Guide for Homeowners in Henfield

Published July 2026 | Leaking Tap Repair

What Causes a Tap to Leak

A dripping or leaking tap is one of the most common plumbing complaints our engineers deal with across Henfield and the surrounding villages in West Sussex. It looks minor, but a tap dripping once per second wastes roughly 15 litres of water a day - and that adds up fast on a metered supply.

The root cause depends almost entirely on the type of tap you have.

Traditional pillar taps and crosshead taps

These older-style taps use a rubber washer seated on a brass jumper valve. Every time you turn the tap off, the washer is compressed against a metal seat inside the tap body. Over years of use, that washer hardens, cracks, or gets eroded by the water pressure passing through it. Once it can no longer form a watertight seal, water gets past it and you get that familiar drip from the spout.

Ceramic disc taps

Quarter-turn ceramic disc taps replaced traditional washers in most modern kitchens and bathrooms. Instead of rubber, they use two precision-ground ceramic discs that rotate against each other to control flow. Ceramic is extremely hard-wearing, but the discs can crack if grit or debris gets into the tap, or if the water pressure in your property is consistently too high. A cracked ceramic disc cannot be repaired - it needs replacing.

Cartridge taps

Single-lever mixer taps, thermostatic bar mixers, and many modern basin taps use a sealed cartridge that controls both temperature and flow in a single mechanism. When the cartridge wears out or its internal seals deteriorate, you typically see either a drip from the spout when the tap is closed or water leaking around the base of the handle.

Leaks around the body of the tap

If water is appearing not from the spout but from around the base of the tap body, the tap neck, or underneath the fitting itself, the culprit is almost always an O-ring rather than a washer. O-rings are small rubber rings that create a seal at various joints in the tap assembly. Like any rubber component, they perish over time - especially in properties with hard water, which is common in parts of West Sussex.

How to Diagnose Where Your Tap Is Leaking

Before you reach for tools or call a plumber, spend five minutes identifying exactly where the water is coming from. This tells you which part has failed and whether it is a job you can tackle yourself.

1. Dry the tap completely with a cloth and then watch it closely for two to three minutes with the tap in the fully closed position. Note exactly where water first appears - spout, handle base, body, or underneath the fitting.
2. Check whether the drip changes with water pressure. Turn on another tap nearby. If your dripping tap gets worse, the problem is pressure-related and the internal seal is failing. If it stays the same, the leak is gravity-fed through a worn washer or disc.
3. Identify your tap type. Quarter-turn taps have ceramic discs. Multi-turn taps (which need 2-4 full rotations to close) typically have washers. Single-lever taps use cartridges.
4. Check your stop valve location. In most Henfield properties, the internal stop valve is under the kitchen sink or in a cupboard near the rising main. Locate it before attempting any repairs so you can isolate the water supply quickly.
5. Note whether both hot and cold taps are affected. If both are dripping, the issue is more likely to be water pressure than individual worn components.

If you have access to the Voltrade GoFIX diagnostic tool, running through the tap fault checker before booking a visit can help confirm the fault type and give our engineers a head start before they arrive at your Henfield property.

DIY Repairs vs Calling a Plumber - When Each Makes Sense

Replacing a tap washer is one of the few plumbing tasks that a reasonably practical homeowner can do themselves without needing to be qualified. That said, there are situations where a DIY attempt will either fail or make things worse.

When DIY is reasonable

Replacing a rubber washer in a traditional pillar tap is a genuinely manageable task if you are comfortable using basic tools and you can isolate the water supply. The process involves turning off the stop valve, removing the tap head (usually held by a grub screw under the decorative cap), unscrewing the packing nut, withdrawing the spindle, and replacing the washer at its base. Replacement washers cost less than a pound from most plumbers' merchants and many hardware shops in the area.

Similarly, replacing an O-ring on a leaking tap neck or body is often a DIY-friendly task once you have identified the right size - and most plumbing O-ring kits include a range of sizes for under 10 pounds.

When you should call a qualified plumber

Call a plumber if any of the following apply:

• The tap uses ceramic discs or a sealed cartridge. Cartridges must be the right model for your specific tap brand, and fitting the wrong one can make the problem worse.
• The stop valve for the tap is corroded or will not turn. Forcing a stuck stop valve risks bursting the valve body, which then becomes a much larger emergency.
• The tap seat (the metal surface the washer presses against) is visibly damaged or pitted. A new washer against a damaged seat will fail quickly. The seat needs re-grinding or the tap body needs replacing.
• The leak is coming from the supply pipework rather than the tap fitting itself.
• You live in an older Henfield property where the pipework might be lead or older copper and the fittings are corroded.
• The tap itself is more than 15 to 20 years old. At that point, replacing the whole fitting is often better value than repeated repairs.

Our engineers carry the most common cartridge types for popular tap brands in their vans, which usually means a single visit is enough to resolve the fault in most Henfield properties.

What a Qualified Plumber Will Do

When one of our engineers visits a Henfield home for a leaking tap, the process is methodical and usually completed within an hour for standard repairs.

Initial assessment

The engineer will first confirm the fault type - spout drip, handle leak, or body leak - and identify the tap make and model where possible. Some cartridge taps require manufacturer-specific parts, so identifying the tap correctly before opening anything up avoids the job stalling partway through.

Isolating the supply

The water supply to the affected tap is isolated - either at the service valve under the sink or basin, or at the property's main stop valve if no local isolation valve is present. The engineer will check the condition of the isolation valve as standard. If it fails to operate correctly, they will advise you on the spot.

Dismantling and inspection

With the water off, the tap head is removed and the internal components inspected. A worn washer, cracked ceramic disc, or faulty cartridge will be evident at this stage. The engineer will also check the tap seat for damage. If the seat is worn, a seat grinder can be used to restore a smooth surface before fitting the new washer - this is the step most DIY repairs miss, which is why home attempts at washer replacement sometimes fail within weeks.

Fitting the replacement part and testing

The new component is fitted and the tap reassembled. The engineer restores the water supply and tests the tap through its full range of operation - checking for drips at the spout, leaks at the gland, and smooth operation of the mechanism. They will also check the water pressure at the tap to confirm it is within normal operating range.

Advising on condition

If the tap is in poor overall condition, or if other taps in the property show signs of similar wear, the engineer will tell you. There is no benefit in repairing one tap in a bathroom suite where all three fittings are at the same stage of wear.

Costs and What Affects the Price

Plumbing costs in Henfield and across West Sussex vary depending on the complexity of the repair, the parts required, and the time needed on site.

Call-out and labour

Most plumbers in the area charge a call-out fee of between 60 and 100 pounds, which typically covers the first hour of labour. After that, hourly rates typically run from 60 to 90 pounds per hour. Some plumbers charge a flat rate for common repairs rather than a time-based fee.

Parts costs

A standard rubber tap washer costs pennies. A ceramic disc set for a quarter-turn tap typically costs between 8 and 25 pounds depending on the tap brand. A replacement cartridge for a mixer tap is the most variable cost - budget-brand cartridges can be as little as 10 to 15 pounds, while original manufacturer cartridges for premium brands such as Hansgrohe, Grohe, or Bristan can run from 30 to 80 pounds.

Total repair costs

For a simple washer or O-ring replacement, the total cost including call-out is typically between 70 and 130 pounds. A cartridge replacement on a mixer tap, including parts and labour, typically comes to between 100 and 200 pounds. If the tap itself needs replacing entirely - because the body is beyond economic repair - budget for an additional 50 to 250 pounds for the fitting itself, depending on the style and brand you choose. Full replacement including supply, fitting, and removal of the old tap typically costs between 150 and 350 pounds in total.

Factors that push the cost higher

Access is a significant factor. A tap in a difficult-to-reach location, or one where the under-sink pipework is cramped and corroded, will take longer to work on. If the job turns out to require additional pipework repairs or a new isolation valve, the cost increases accordingly. Emergency call-outs outside normal working hours carry a premium of typically 50 to 100 pounds on top of standard rates.

How to Prevent Tap Leaks in Future

Some tap wear is simply inevitable with daily use, but there are steps that will extend the working life of your taps significantly.

• Do not over-tighten taps. The most common cause of premature washer failure is homeowners turning taps off too hard. Once you feel resistance, the tap is closed. Forcing it further beyond that point crushes the washer and accelerates wear.
• Fit a water softener or scale inhibitor if your Henfield property has hard water. Limescale builds up on ceramic discs and cartridge seals, causing them to degrade faster and stick in operation.
• Check your water pressure. Mains pressure in most UK properties should be between 1 and 3 bar at the tap. Consistently high pressure (above 3 bar) wears washers and seals much faster. A pressure-reducing valve fitted to the rising main can protect all your plumbing fittings, not just taps.
• Deal with minor drips early. A small drip caught early is a washer replacement. Left for months, it can erode the tap seat, leading to a more expensive repair or a full tap replacement.
• Have taps serviced as part of a periodic plumbing check. Our engineers will often spot the early signs of washer or cartridge wear during a routine visit to a Henfield property before it turns into an active leak.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to fix a dripping tap in Henfield?

For a standard washer or O-ring replacement, expect to pay between 70 and 130 pounds including call-out and labour in the Henfield area. Cartridge replacements on mixer taps typically come to between 100 and 200 pounds all in. The exact cost depends on the tap type, the parts needed, and whether the job reveals any additional issues such as a damaged tap seat or corroded isolation valve.

Can I fix a leaking tap myself without turning off the mains water?

Only if there is a functioning service valve directly on the supply pipe beneath the tap - a small slotted valve you turn a quarter-turn with a flat-head screwdriver. If no service valve is present, or it is corroded shut, you will need to isolate the supply at the main stop valve. Never attempt to open a tap fitting while the supply is live, as this will result in water flooding the room.

Why is my tap still dripping after I replaced the washer?

The most likely reason is a damaged tap seat - the metal surface inside the tap body that the washer presses against to form a seal. If the seat is pitted or eroded, no washer will hold for long. A plumber can re-grind the seat using a tap reseating tool, restoring a smooth surface. If the seat damage is too severe, the tap body may need replacing entirely.

Is a dripping tap in Henfield covered by home insurance?

Standard home insurance policies do not typically cover general wear and tear such as a dripping tap. If the leak has caused water damage to floors, ceilings, or neighbouring properties, that damage may be covered under your buildings or contents policy, but the tap repair itself is generally a maintenance cost. Always check your policy wording directly, as cover varies considerably between insurers.

How do I know if my tap needs repairing or replacing?

A tap that is less than 10 years old and leaking from the spout or handle is almost always worth repairing - the internal components are the only thing that has worn, and the tap body itself will have plenty of life left. If the tap is older than 15 to 20 years, is showing corrosion on the body, is difficult to operate, or has needed more than one repair in recent years, replacement is usually better value in the long run. Our engineers can assess this on site and give you an honest recommendation.