Leaking Tap Repair in Lewes - What Our Plumber Engineers Want You to Know

Published August 2026 | Leaking tap repair guide

We asked our Plumber engineers the questions Lewes homeowners ask most. A dripping tap might seem like a minor nuisance, but left unattended it can waste thousands of litres of water a year - and it's usually a sign that something inside the tap has already begun to fail.

Why Is My Tap Dripping Even Though I've Turned It Off?

This is the question we hear more than any other, and the answer almost always comes down to a worn internal component. Traditional pillar taps - the kind with separate hot and cold handles - use rubber washers to create a watertight seal when you close the valve. Over time those washers harden, distort, or crack, and they can no longer hold back the water pressure. The result is that steady drip from the spout that tends to get worse over the following weeks.

Modern mixer taps, which are very common in Lewes kitchens and bathrooms, work differently. Instead of rubber washers they use ceramic disc cartridges. Ceramic is far more durable, but it's not immune to failure. Limescale - which is a real consideration in East Sussex, where water hardness is notably higher than in many other parts of England - can scratch the disc surface and cause seepage over time. A degraded O-ring inside the cartridge body can also let water through.

Either way, the tap is failing to seat properly against the internal water pressure. One thing our engineers consistently warn against: don't force a dripping tap handle harder to stop the drip. Overtightening compresses and distorts the washer or disc rather than improving the seal, and what might have been a five-pound fix becomes a more involved repair. If the tap requires noticeably more effort to close than it used to, that's your signal to get it looked at.

How Do I Work Out Where the Leak Is Actually Coming From?

Location tells you almost everything when it comes to diagnosing a tap fault. A drip from the spout with the tap fully closed points to the internal mechanism - washer, cartridge, or ceramic disc. Water weeping from around the tap handle or body while the tap is running is more likely a failed O-ring or a loose packing nut. And if you're finding water pooling around the tap base on the worktop, or under the sink itself, the issue may be in the supply connections, flexi hoses, or tap tails rather than the tap mechanism at all.

Our engineers use the Voltrade GoFIX diagnostic tool to help homeowners walk through their symptoms before a visit is booked - it narrows down the likely fault quickly and helps confirm the right parts are sourced before anyone arrives. For a basic spout drip, a visual inspection is usually enough. Turn off the supply, remove the tap handle, and look at the washer or cartridge. A worn rubber washer will look compressed, cracked, or visibly distorted. A damaged ceramic disc may have pitting or scoring across its face.

If you're not sure what type of tap you have, a photo sent to your plumber before booking saves time. It means the correct replacement parts can be confirmed and ordered in advance rather than discovered on the job.

Can I Fix a Leaking Tap Myself, or Does It Need a Plumber?

It depends on the tap type and your confidence with basic plumbing. Replacing a rubber washer on a traditional pillar tap is one of the more accessible DIY plumbing jobs in the home. If you can locate the isolation valve, disassemble the tap head, and swap the washer, you can probably manage it. The parts cost under five pounds from any plumbing merchant, and there are solid instructional resources available for the process.

Ceramic cartridge replacement is a step up. The process is similar in principle, but the cartridge must be matched exactly to the tap brand and model. Using the wrong cartridge can fail to resolve the leak - or in some cases make it worse. Our engineers in Lewes regularly see DIY cartridge repairs that haven't worked because the replacement wasn't an exact match. If you're going down this route, bring the old cartridge to the merchant rather than ordering by guesswork.

Call a professional if any of the following apply: water is leaking from the pipe connections under the sink rather than the tap itself; the tap body is visibly cracked or corroded; the isolation valve or stopcock won't close properly; or you have a concealed thermostatic tap built into a tiled wall. Concealed valves and in-wall plumbing need specialist knowledge, and anything touching a hot water system that includes a gas appliance requires a Gas Safe registered engineer by law.

What Tools and Parts Do I Need for a Basic Tap Repair?

For a washer replacement you'll need an adjustable spanner, a flathead screwdriver, and a pair of pliers - wrap the jaws with a cloth or grip tape to protect chrome fittings. You'll need the correct replacement washer, typically half-inch or three-quarter-inch, though it's worth taking the old one to the plumbing merchant to get an exact match rather than guessing from memory.

A tap reseating tool is worth knowing about. If the valve seat inside the tap body has become pitted or scored - which is common in older taps - a new washer alone won't hold the seal for long. A reseating tool resurfaces the seat and gives the new washer a proper surface to press against. It's a relatively inexpensive tool and can make the difference between a repair that lasts years and one that needs repeating in six months.

For ceramic cartridge work, you'll need the same basic tools plus the exact replacement cartridge. Brands like Grohe, Hansgrohe, Bristan, and Ideal Standard all use proprietary cartridges that don't interchange. Plumbing merchants across East Sussex carry many common types, but less common models may need ordering online. Measure the cartridge diameter and note the number of operational turns before ordering. Either way, put a bucket under the tap and have some towels ready before you start - there's always residual water in the pipes even after isolating the supply.

How Much Does It Typically Cost to Fix a Leaking Tap in Lewes?

For a plumber called out specifically for a leaking tap, you're commonly looking at a call-out fee plus labour time. In the Lewes area, call-out charges typically run between 50 and 85 pounds, with an hourly labour rate of around 65 to 95 pounds on top. A straightforward washer replacement is usually done within the first hour, so the all-in cost commonly lands between 90 and 160 pounds including parts.

Ceramic cartridge replacements take slightly longer and the parts cost more. Expect a total of around 130 to 220 pounds depending on the cartridge brand and tap type. If the valve seat also needs resurfacing, allow an additional 20 to 40 pounds for that work. These figures assume standard access - taps under kitchen sinks in good condition with working isolation valves.

Full tap replacement is a separate bracket entirely. If the engineer recommends replacing rather than repairing, supply and fit of a new tap typically costs between 150 and 350 pounds, depending on whether you're supplying the tap yourself or having the plumber source it. Concealed valves, thermostatic mixers, or anything requiring tile access will run higher - factor in at least 300 to 600 pounds for that category of work. Always ask for a written quote before any work begins.

When Does It Make More Sense to Replace a Tap Rather Than Repair It?

Repair is the right call when the tap body is in sound condition and it's only the internal mechanism that's failed. If the tap is under ten years old, has no visible corrosion or physical damage, and the parts are readily available, a new washer or cartridge will typically give you several more years of reliable use. It's the more economical option in most standard cases.

Replacement starts to make more sense when a tap has needed repeated repairs over a short period, when the body itself is corroded or pitted, or when spare parts for that model are no longer in production. Our engineers in Lewes occasionally come across taps where the replacement cartridge costs nearly as much as a new fitting - in those situations, a new tap is often the better long-term investment.

There's also a practical consideration if you're renovating anyway. If a bathroom or kitchen is being updated, swapping taps at the same time as the refurbishment avoids a repeat visit later and typically costs less than a standalone job. Raise this with your plumber at diagnosis stage, before any repair work has started, so you can make the call with the full picture in front of you.

My Tap Is Leaking From the Base, Not the Spout - Is That Different?

Yes, and it's an important distinction. A spout drip with the tap closed is a mechanism failure - washer, disc, or cartridge. Water seeping from around the base of the tap body when the tap is in use points to a failed O-ring. O-rings are rubber seals that sit in grooves on the tap body and prevent water from travelling down the outside of the fitting. They degrade through heat cycling, limescale build-up, and age.

The repair involves removing the tap fully, replacing the O-rings, and reseating the tap with fresh PTFE tape on the threaded connections. It's a more involved job than a simple washer swap because the tap needs to come out completely, but it's well within scope for a competent plumber to complete in a single visit.

Don't leave a base leak unattended. Water sitting against a timber worktop or around the base of a bathroom basin will cause damage to the surrounding surface relatively quickly - and in the case of a kitchen unit, it can cause the cabinet base board to swell and rot over a matter of weeks. If you're noticing pooling water around your tap base anywhere in your Lewes home, get it looked at sooner rather than later.

Why Do My Taps Keep Wearing Out Faster Than I'd Expect?

Water quality is the factor most homeowners don't consider. East Sussex sits in a moderately hard to hard water region, and the dissolved calcium and magnesium in the supply build up inside tap mechanisms and on sealing surfaces. This limescale acts as a slow-acting abrasive, accelerating wear on washers, cartridges, and O-rings. Taps in a hard water area commonly need attention every three to five years, compared to the seven to ten year lifespan you might expect in a softer water region.

Usage intensity matters too. Kitchen taps face more thermal stress than bathroom taps because of the constant cycling between hot and cold water. Running very hot water through a kitchen mixer repeatedly stresses the internal seals over time, and high-volume use simply wears parts faster.

Overtightening is another common culprit, and one that's easy to fall into. Many homeowners tighten a dripping tap handle harder when they notice the leak, compressing and distorting the washer rather than sealing it. The drip improves briefly, then comes back worse. If you find yourself using noticeably more force to close a tap than you used to, that's the warning sign - address it before the washer or cartridge is fully destroyed.

What Should I Do Immediately If a Tap Leak Gets Suddenly Worse?

Turn off the water supply first. In most properties in Lewes the mains stopcock sits under the kitchen sink or in a utility cupboard - turn it clockwise until it stops. If the stopcock is stiff, work it gently rather than forcing it. Even partial closure reduces the flow while you wait. Open another tap in the house to bleed the residual pressure from the pipework after you've closed the stopcock.

Then call a plumber. A sudden significant deterioration usually means a component has failed completely rather than progressively - the washer has shredded, the cartridge has fractured, or a supply connection has worked loose. These don't improve on their own and can become a water damage issue very quickly.

While you wait, place a bucket under the affected fitting and use towels to protect wooden units or flooring. Take a photograph of the tap and the surrounding area before the engineer arrives - it gives them useful context and provides a record if any secondary damage needs documenting.

A sudden tap leak is also a prompt to check the condition of your flexi hoses while the plumber is there. These braided stainless steel hoses connect the tap tails to your supply pipes and have a typical service life of ten to fifteen years. If they're showing any sign of corrosion, kinking, or weeping at the connections, replace them at the same time. A failed flexi hose under a kitchen sink can flood the cabinet in minutes.

Most leaking taps caught early are minor jobs - a new washer, a replacement cartridge, or a fresh O-ring. The cost and complexity increase significantly when a leak has been left to develop. Identify where the water is coming from, understand what type of tap mechanism you're working with, and make an honest call about whether it's within your DIY capability or whether it's time to call a professional. Getting it right first time is nearly always cheaper than managing the damage from getting it wrong.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much water does a dripping tap actually waste?

A tap dripping at around one drop per second loses roughly 15 litres per day, or approximately 5,500 litres over a full year. In a metered property that waste adds a measurable amount to your annual water bill, quite apart from the environmental impact of the loss.

Do I need to turn off the mains water to change a tap washer?

Not always. If there's a service valve on the supply pipe directly below the tap, you can isolate just that fitting without cutting off water to the rest of the house. If no service valve is present, you'll need to close the mains stopcock. It's worth locating your stopcock before you start any tap work so you're not searching for it under pressure.

How long should a tap repair last?

A new rubber washer typically lasts between three and seven years depending on water hardness and how heavily the tap is used. A ceramic cartridge replacement generally lasts longer - commonly seven to twelve years in normal domestic use. If a repaired tap starts dripping again within a year or two, the underlying valve seat may need resurfacing, or limescale build-up may be accelerating wear on the new parts.

Is it worth fitting a water softener to protect taps and fittings?

In hard water areas like East Sussex, a water softener can meaningfully extend the working life of tap cartridges, showerheads, boiler components, and other fittings. Installation typically costs between 500 and 1,500 pounds depending on the unit and property size. For households with higher-end fittings or a history of frequent plumbing repairs, the long-term saving on parts and call-outs can make the investment worthwhile over time.