A tap that drips once every few seconds doesn’t look like much. But it drips day and night, and it often gets worse. The fix depends on the type of tap and which part has worn out.
Why taps start dripping
Worn washer
Older taps that you turn several times to open use a rubber washer to seal. Over time it hardens and splits, so water gets past it.
Worn ceramic cartridge
Most modern mixer taps and quarter-turn taps use a ceramic cartridge instead. When it wears out or gets damaged by grit, the tap drips or becomes stiff to turn.
Worn O-rings
If water leaks from the base of the tap or around the spout rather than the nozzle, the O-ring seals are usually the problem.
Scale and debris
Minerals and grit can stop parts from sealing properly, especially in older pipes.
Where is it leaking?
| Where you see water | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Dripping from the spout | Washer or cartridge |
| Around the base of the tap | O-rings or loose fitting |
| Under the sink | Flexible hoses or connections (see our guide to leaks under the kitchen sink) |
| Around the handle | Cartridge or seals |
Repair or replace?
Repair makes sense when:
- The tap is fairly new and in good condition
- The replacement part for that brand and model is available
- Only one part has failed
Replace when:
- The tap is old, corroded or loose
- Parts for that model are hard to find
- It has been repaired before and leaks again
- You want an upgrade, such as a pull-out kitchen mixer
When buying a new tap in Singapore, look for the PUB water efficiency label. Taps with more ticks use less water.
What you can do right now
- Close the stop valve under the sink to stop the drip until it’s fixed
- Don’t overtighten the handle. It won’t stop a worn cartridge and can crack it
- Take a photo of the tap and note the brand if you can see it, so the right part can be brought
Fix the drip for good
Handyman Service Hero repairs dripping taps and replaces kitchen and bathroom mixer taps, flexible hoses and stop valves in HDB, condo and landed homes across Singapore. Call or WhatsApp us a photo of your tap, and we’ll tell you whether a repair or replacement makes more sense.
