Leaking Tap Repair Guide for Hove Homeowners

Published August 2026 | Leaking Tap Repair

A dripping tap is one of those problems that starts small and quietly takes over your attention - the sound at 2am, the stain building up in the basin, the nagging feeling that you should do something but you're not quite sure what. If you're dealing with this for the first time and you're not sure whether to panic or just wait it out, that's completely understandable. This guide walks you through everything clearly, so you can make a confident decision and know exactly what to expect at every step.

What Is Actually Happening - The Basics Explained Simply

A tap controls water flow through a valve inside. When you turn the handle, a component presses against a seal to stop water getting through. When that component wears out or fails, water finds a path past the seal and drips out - typically from the spout when the tap is fully closed, or from around the body of the tap itself.

There are two main types of tap found in UK homes, and Hove properties tend to have a mix of both depending on when they were built or last updated:

Traditional compression taps use a rubber washer that presses against a metal seat inside the tap. The washer hardens and degrades over time, losing its ability to form a clean seal. These are very common in older properties and among the most frequent repairs our engineers carry out.

Ceramic disc taps (often called quarter-turn taps) use a pair of precision-fitted ceramic discs with holes that align when you turn the handle. They're more durable than rubber washers, but they can crack or become clogged with limescale deposits. This is a particular issue in Hove and much of East Sussex, where the water supply is moderately to quite hard. That dissolved mineral content accelerates wear on internal tap components more than many homeowners realise.

The leak itself can come from several places:

• From the spout when the tap is closed - usually a worn washer or damaged ceramic disc
• Around the base or body of the tap - typically a worn O-ring or corroded fitting
• From near the top of the tap, around the handle - often a loose gland nut or worn packing inside
• From pipe connections under the sink - this may be a separate issue from the tap itself

Knowing where the water is actually coming from helps your plumber arrive with the right parts and give you a more accurate quote before they even start work.

Is This an Emergency or Can It Wait?

Most dripping taps are not emergencies, but there are situations where you should act quickly rather than waiting a few days.

Call a plumber urgently if:

• Water is flowing in a steady stream rather than a slow drip
• You cannot turn the tap off properly
• Water is pooling under the sink or dripping onto the cabinet floor
• There are damp patches or water staining on nearby walls, ceilings, or the inside of the cupboard
• Your water bill has increased unexpectedly in recent months without explanation

You can typically wait a few days if:

• The drip is slow and comes only from the spout when the tap is fully closed
• There is no visible sign of damp or water damage in the surrounding area
• You can still control the flow normally when the tap is open

Even a slow drip wastes a surprising amount of water over weeks, and over time that shows up on your water bill. Getting it repaired within a week or two is sensible even when it is not strictly urgent.

While you're waiting for a plumber, you can reduce or stop the drip by closing the isolation valve under the sink. It's a small valve on the supply pipe with a slot for a flat-head screwdriver. Turn it 90 degrees - so the slot runs across the pipe rather than along it - to cut off water to just that tap without affecting the rest of the house.

What You Can Safely Check Yourself (With Zero Experience)

You don't need any plumbing knowledge to do a few useful checks. These will help you describe the problem accurately when you call a plumber, and might tell you whether there's something more serious going on beyond a worn washer.

1. Find the exact source. Dry everything under the sink with a cloth, then watch carefully for a minute or two. Is the drip coming from the spout itself, from a pipe connection, or from around the base of the tap? Note exactly what you observe.
2. Check for damp. Run your hand along the underside of the pipes, across the base of the cabinet, and around the back of the tap body. Any soft or wet patches are worth noting and mentioning when you book.
3. Feel the tap handle. Does it feel loose or wobble more than it should? A handle that moves around often indicates a worn gland nut or degraded packing inside the tap.
4. Check the isolation valves. Under the sink there should be small valves on both the hot and cold supply pipes. Make sure each is fully open - the slot should run parallel to the pipe, not across it. A partially closed valve can worsen the behaviour of a worn washer by creating uneven pressure.
5. Check water pressure elsewhere in the house. Run a tap in another room briefly. If pressure seems unusually low everywhere, there may be a broader issue worth mentioning when you call.

That's everything you can usefully do without tools or experience. Do not try to disassemble the tap itself unless you're confident doing so - a tap that has been incorrectly reassembled often drips worse than before you started.

How to Find a Trustworthy Plumber in Hove

Finding a reliable plumber is more achievable than it used to be, but there are still a few things worth checking before you book someone to work in your home.

WaterSafe or CIPHE membership. WaterSafe is backed by the UK water companies and indicates the plumber meets current water regulations standards. CIPHE (the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering) signifies formal professional training and ongoing development. Neither is a legal requirement for general plumbing work - unlike gas work, which must by law be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer - but both are reliable signals of professional competence.

Public liability insurance. Any reputable plumber working in a private home should carry this. Ask before they start, not after.

Upfront, clear pricing. A good plumber will tell you their call-out fee and hourly rate before arriving, and give you an estimate once they've seen the job. If someone refuses to discuss price until after the work is done, that's a problem.

Verifiable local reviews. Recent reviews from customers in East Sussex give you a much more accurate picture of reliability than a website's claims about itself. Look for specifics - response time, how they communicated, whether the problem was actually fixed on the first visit.

Voltrade's GoFIX diagnostic tool lets you describe your tap problem before you book, so the plumber arrives already knowing what parts and time the job is likely to need. That translates to more accurate quotes and fewer situations where a second visit is needed to collect missing parts.

Red flags to avoid:

• No fixed business address and a mobile number only
• Pressure to book immediately without discussing the issue
• Refusal to estimate costs before starting work
• A very low initial quote that grows significantly once they're in your home

What a Repair Visit Looks Like (So You Know What to Expect)

If you've never had a plumber out before, knowing what a visit actually involves removes a lot of the uncertainty.

Before they arrive: Clear the area under the sink so there's comfortable room to work. Move any cleaning products, stored items, or bins elsewhere. Find out where your stopcock is - the main water shut-off valve for the whole property. It's most commonly under the kitchen sink, in a utility room, or in a hallway cupboard near the front door. If you genuinely can't locate it, mention that when you call.

When they arrive: Our engineers will start by looking at the tap, asking a few brief questions about when the drip started and whether anything changed recently (recent work on the property, a change in water pressure, anything unusual). They'll assess what's needed before touching anything.

During the repair: They'll isolate the water supply to the tap and disassemble it to replace the worn components. A standard rubber washer replacement takes around 30 to 45 minutes. Ceramic disc or cartridge replacements typically take 45 to 60 minutes. If the valve seat inside the tap body is worn or damaged - which can happen when a failing washer is left unrepaired for a long time - or if the tap is very old, they may recommend replacing the entire tap rather than just repairing the internals. That's a conversation worth having openly.

After the repair: They'll run the tap to confirm the drip has stopped, check under the sink for any seepage from the pipe connections, and tidy the work area. A thorough plumber will also mention anything else they noticed while working - not to add to the bill, but because they've had a close look at your pipework and it's useful information for you.

Typical Costs - So You Are Not Caught Off Guard

Plumbing rates in Hove and across the South East sit slightly above the national average but are broadly predictable once you know what's involved.

Call-out fee: Typically between 60 and 100 pounds, covering travel and usually the first 30 to 60 minutes of work.

Hourly rate: Most local plumbers charge between 65 and 95 pounds per hour after the initial charge.

Rubber washer replacement (labour and parts): Total cost is typically between 80 and 150 pounds. The washer itself costs only a pound or two from any DIY store - the cost is primarily the plumber's time and the call-out.

Ceramic disc or cartridge replacement: Expect to pay between 100 and 200 pounds in total, depending on the tap model. Some ceramic cartridges for branded or designer taps can be significantly more expensive to source.

Full tap replacement (new tap supplied and fitted): Budget between 150 and 400 pounds depending on what you choose. A basic replacement tap starts from around 30 to 50 pounds. A mid-range mixer tap from a quality manufacturer - something like a Bristan or Grohe unit - might cost 80 to 200 pounds. Fitting adds another 60 to 120 pounds in most cases.

Emergency or out-of-hours call-out: Expect to pay a 50 to 100 percent premium on standard rates if you need someone outside normal working hours.

Always confirm the full estimated cost, including parts, before work starts. Most reputable plumbers offer at least a 12-month guarantee on parts and labour for tap repairs - ask about this before signing off on anything.

Questions You Should Ask Your Plumber

A professional plumber will expect questions and won't mind answering them. Here are the ones most worth raising:

• What will the total cost be, including parts and labour? Get this confirmed before any work begins, not during or after.
• Do you carry common washers and cartridges in your van? Most experienced plumbers will, which avoids the need for a second visit to collect parts.
• Do you offer a guarantee on the repair? Standard is 12 months on parts and labour - always ask for this upfront.
• Is it worth repairing, or should I replace the tap? Ask this directly. A good plumber will give you an honest answer rather than automatically recommending the more expensive option.
• Did you notice anything else I should be aware of? Ask this as a separate question - some engineers will only raise additional issues if directly prompted.
• What can I do to prevent this happening again? Whether it's descaling regularly, checking washers annually, or considering a water softener, practical maintenance advice is worth asking for.

First-Timer Questions

Why does my tap drip only when it's turned off?

When a tap is fully closed, a washer or ceramic disc presses against a seat inside the tap body to block the water flow completely. If the washer has hardened, cracked, or worn unevenly with age - or if a ceramic disc has fractured from limescale pressure or physical stress - water finds a path past the imperfect seal and drips through the spout. It's one of the most common problems our engineers are called out to fix, particularly in older Hove properties with fittings that have not been serviced in years. Replacing the worn component is usually a quick job when caught early.

Can a dripping tap cause water damage to my home?

It depends on where the water is going. A drip falling cleanly into a basin or sink is unlikely to cause structural damage. But if the leak is falling onto a wooden cabinet base, running along a pipe, or dripping onto surfaces inside the sink cupboard, damp will build up over time - leading to mould growth, swelling timber, and deteriorated fittings. Check under your sink regularly rather than only when you notice something wrong. A slow leak you can't hear can still do real damage over weeks or months of being ignored.

Is it safe to try fixing a leaking tap myself?

Replacing a rubber washer on a traditional compression tap is within reach for a careful DIYer who's comfortable following instructions and working methodically. You'll need to turn off the water supply, disassemble the tap, swap the washer, and reassemble - the whole process takes around 45 minutes if everything goes smoothly. Washers cost pennies from any DIY shop. However, ceramic disc taps, mixer taps with integrated cartridges, or any situation where the pipework itself is involved carries a higher risk of making things worse. If you're not confident, calling a plumber is the sensible call - the repair cost is often quite modest.

How long will a tap repair take on the day?

A standard rubber washer replacement typically takes 30 to 45 minutes once the plumber has isolated the supply and started work. Ceramic disc or cartridge replacements usually take 45 to 60 minutes. If there are complications - corroded fittings, a damaged valve seat, or no isolation valve requiring the main stopcock to be shut off - allow up to 90 minutes. A full tap replacement takes between 60 and 90 minutes in most cases, depending on the tap model and the condition of the existing pipe connections underneath.

Will the plumber need to turn the water off for the whole house?

In most cases, no. If there's an isolation valve on the supply pipe to that tap - which there commonly is under kitchen and bathroom sinks - the plumber can shut off just that one supply without affecting anything else in the house. If there's no isolation valve, they'll need to use the main stopcock, but usually only for around 20 to 40 minutes while they complete the repair. It's worth locating your stopcock before the plumber arrives so there's no hold-up if they need it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it typically cost to repair a leaking tap in Hove?

The total cost of fixing a leaking tap in Hove typically falls between 80 and 200 pounds, covering both parts and labour. A rubber washer replacement is usually at the lower end of that range since the washer itself costs next to nothing - the cost is mainly the plumber's time and the call-out fee. Ceramic disc replacements and full tap swaps cost more. Always confirm the total estimated price, including parts, before work starts. Most reputable plumbers offer a 12-month guarantee on the repair as standard.

How do I know if a dripping tap needs urgent attention?

If the leak is a slow drip from the spout when the tap is fully closed and there's no visible damp anywhere nearby, it's usually not urgent and can wait a few days. If you can see water pooling under the sink, damp patches forming on cabinet surfaces or nearby walls, or you cannot turn the tap off properly, treat it as urgent and call a plumber the same day. Dealing with it quickly prevents what starts as a minor repair from developing into water damage that costs considerably more to fix.

Does hard water affect how quickly taps wear out in East Sussex?

Yes, noticeably so. The water supply across much of East Sussex - including Hove - is moderately to quite hard, meaning it carries higher levels of dissolved calcium and magnesium. Over time, these minerals leave limescale deposits on washers, ceramic discs, and valve seats, causing components to degrade faster than they would in softer water areas. Descaling your taps periodically helps, and if you've had the same tap fault more than once, it may be worth asking your plumber whether a water softener would reduce the frequency of repairs.

What should I look for when hiring a plumber for the first time?

Look for clear upfront pricing, verifiable local reviews, and confirmation that the plumber carries public liability insurance. WaterSafe or CIPHE membership indicates professional standards and training. Avoid anyone who won't give an estimate before starting work, or who adds significant charges during the job without a clear explanation. A trustworthy plumber will answer your questions without pressure, give you an honest view of whether repair or replacement makes more sense, and stand behind the work with a written or verbal guarantee.

Can I use Voltrade's GoFIX tool to get help with a leaking tap?

Yes. The GoFIX diagnostic tool lets you describe your tap issue before booking, so the plumber arriving at your door already has a clear picture of what the job is likely to involve. That means they can arrive with the most probable parts in the van, give you a more accurate quote from the outset, and reduce the chance of a second visit being needed. It's particularly useful if you're not sure how to describe what's happening - the tool guides you through the key questions so the right information reaches the right person.