Leaking or Dripping Tap in Singapore: How to Fix It (and When to Call a Plumber)

A tap that drips, sprays or leaks at the base is almost always a worn part, not a broken tap. Find where the water is coming from first, because that tells you which part to replace.

First, find where it leaks

• From the spout when the tap is off: a worn washer, cartridge or valve seat
• Around the handle: a worn O-ring or a loose nut
• At the base of the spout: worn O-rings where the spout swivels
• Under the sink or on the cabinet floor: a loose connection or a worn flexible hose

Before you start

• Close the isolation valve under the sink, or the main valve for the flat, then open the tap to drain it
• Put the plug in the sink so small screws cannot fall down the drain
• Take photos at each step so you can put it back together
• You will need an adjustable spanner, screwdrivers, an Allen key, and a replacement washer, O-ring or cartridge
• Take the old part to a hardware shop to match the size

How to fix a dripping tap

1. Remove the handle. Lift off the small cap on top, or find the grub screw with an Allen key, then unscrew and lift off the handle.

2. Remove the cartridge or spindle. Unscrew the retaining nut with a spanner and lift out the cartridge on a mixer tap, or the spindle on an older tap.

3. Replace the worn part. Swap the rubber washer, the O-rings or the whole cartridge for a matching new one. Wipe the valve seat clean with a cloth.

4. Put it back and test. Reassemble in reverse order, open the isolation valve slowly, and check for drips with the tap on and off.

If the leak is under the sink

Check the flexible hoses and their connectors. A loose connector can sometimes be nipped up gently with a spanner. Do not over-tighten. If a hose is cracked, bulging or leaking from the braid, replace it rather than patch it, because a damaged hose can fail suddenly and cause a much bigger leak.

Repair or replace the tap?

If the tap is old, pitted or corroded, or you have already replaced parts more than once, a new tap often makes more sense than repeated repairs. A plumber can fit a new one and check the supply pipes at the same time.

When to call a plumber

• The tap still leaks after you have replaced the washer or cartridge, which can mean a damaged valve seat
• Parts are seized or corroded and will not come loose
• Water is leaking from the wall or a pipe joint behind the tap
• You cannot isolate the water to the tap
• Water is spraying, or the cabinet below is wet and the leak is getting worse

Why not leave it?

A steady drip adds to your water bill over weeks, and the dampness can stain or swell the cabinet below the sink. Small leaks are cheaper and quicker to fix before they spread.

Related guides: Dripping tap: repair or replace · Water under your kitchen sink · Burst or leaking pipe guide · Blocked sink or floor trap guide.

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