A dripping tap seems harmless, but a single drip per second wastes more than 10,000 litres of water a year. The good news: most drips are easy to diagnose.

Why taps drip

In most cases the culprit is a worn washer, O-ring or ceramic cartridge. Hard water speeds up the wear by leaving mineral deposits on the seals.

What you can do

• Turn off the isolation valve under the sink

• Remove the handle and check the washer or cartridge

• Replace like-for-like parts from a hardware store

• Turn the water back on slowly and check for leaks

When to call a plumber

If the tap still drips after a new washer, or if water is leaking from the base or the pipes underneath, it’s time to call us. We’ll fix it quickly and check the rest of your fixtures while we’re there.