Leaking Taps
A leaking tap might seem like a minor annoyance, but over time it can waste a surprising amount of water, drive up your water bills, and cause damage to fixtures, cabinetry, and surrounding surfaces. Whether it’s a slow drip, constant trickle, or a tap that won’t fully turn off, leaking taps are a common household issue that should be addressed sooner rather than later.
At STS Plumbing, we provide prompt, reliable leaking tap repairs for homes across Sydney’s North Shore. With decades of experience in domestic plumbing, we know how to diagnose the cause quickly and fix it properly, not just apply a temporary solution.
Common causes of leaking taps
Leaking taps can occur for a range of reasons, depending on the age of your plumbing, the type of tapware, and how frequently it’s used. Some of the most common causes include:
- Worn or damaged washers and O-rings
- Faulty ceramic disc cartridges
- Loose or corroded internal components
- High water pressure placing stress on tap fittings
- Age-related wear in older tapware
In many cases, what starts as a small drip can worsen over time if left unattended, leading to more extensive repairs or the need for full tap replacement.
Signs your tap needs professional attention
Not all tap issues are obvious at first glance. You may need a licensed plumber if you notice:
- Persistent dripping, even when the tap is fully turned off
- Water pooling around the base of the tap
- Difficulty turning taps on or off
- Squeaking, grinding, or stiffness when operating the tap
- Visible corrosion or mineral build-up
If your tap continues to leak after basic tightening or DIY attempts, it’s best to call in a professional to avoid damaging the fixture or plumbing behind the wall.
Our leaking tap repair services
Our team is equipped to repair all types of household taps, including kitchen taps, bathroom basins, laundry taps, shower taps, and outdoor taps. We work with both modern and older systems and can source quality replacement parts where required.
We take the time to assess the condition of your tapware and plumbing, explain the issue clearly, and recommend the most cost-effective solution. Where repairs are no longer viable, we can also advise on suitable replacement options to suit your home and budget.
Why are my taps leaking?
- Damaged washers that no longer control the flow of water in the pipe
- O-rings that have worn down and cause leaking below the head when the tap is on
- Failed mixer cartridges that result in water dripping out of the handle
- Brass seats or valves that are pitted and need reseating or grinding down.
How do I fix it?
STS Plumbing can easily disassemble the leaking tap to find the cause and replace any faulty washers, O-rings or cartridges. While we’re there, we’ll clean out the tap bonnet and remove any debris, check any hoses and reseat the tap body. We’ll then reassemble the tap and check carefully for any leaks. If we think it’ll be cheaper to replace the leaking tap rather than repair it, we’ll let you know. We can order in any stock that’s required and install your new tap once it arrives.
When do I need STS Plumbing?
Q: A leaking tap isn’t an emergency - should I really call a plumber?
Absolutely! Whilst it may not be an urgent issue, it’s still important to get it fixed to save water and save you money. We’ll make sure to give your taps a good clean and give everything a once over before we put it back together.
Q: Can you fix my leaking taps then and there?
You bet. Unless you require a whole new tap, in which case we’ll order in the stock for you and do the install when it arrives.
