plumber.org.ukUnderstand the problem. Know your next step.Problem guides

THE PROBLEM GUIDE · TAPS & SINKS

Tap dripping

A little water from the spout just after use can be different from a drip that continues. Find the leak location before deciding what needs attention.

An example single-lever mixer: 1 handle/lever, 2 internal valve area, 3 spout outlet and 4 tap-to-sink base.

THE SHORT ANSWER

Where is the water coming from?

First note where the water appears. A few seconds of water draining from inside a spout can be normal on some taps; a drip that continues after the control is off may involve an internal sealing part, but does not identify which one. Water around the handle/base or beneath the sink is a separate leak location. Do not dismantle an unidentified tap or guess a replacement part.

Choose the symptom route Understand tap types See the DIY boundary Read the cost example

Before you startIf water is actively escaping around the tap or beneath the sink, stop using that tap and keep clear of wet electrical equipment. Do not reach into a wet cabinet or tighten an unidentified connection. Seek prompt help if water is spreading or uncontrolled. Check for water escaping outside the spout

Jump to a section
01 / Start here

First locate the water and note when it appears

Look at what happened during ordinary use. Water that drains from the spout and stops after a few seconds is different from water that continues to drip once the tap has been off. Also note whether water is coming from the handle, body/base, or a connection underneath the sink; those are different routes to investigate.

What you already observedWhat it may meanNext step
A small amount of water leaves the spout just after use, then stops within a few seconds.Some tap designs drain residual water from the spout after shutoff. This can be normal; the exact behavior varies.Note whether it is only a brief after-use drip. Do not replace a part based on this observation alone.
Water continues to drip from the spout after the tap has been off for a while, or returns between uses.A persistent off-state drip may involve an internal washer, valve or cartridge, depending on the design. It does not identify the faulty part.Use the observation steps below. If it continues, arrange a model-appropriate assessment.
Water appears around the handle, cap, tap body or where the tap meets the sink.This is water escaping outside the spout. The source may be a separate seal or fitting; location alone is not a diagnosis.Stop using the affected tap and describe the exact location to a landlord or plumber.
Water is visible beneath the sink near the tap or a supply connection.This is a separate under-sink leak path, not the same symptom as a spout drip.Do not reach into a wet cabinet or tighten an unknown connection. Arrange an assessment.
The hot tap drips only while a known open-vented water heater is heating.A manufacturer describes this as a possible pressure-relief behavior for that specific system type.Do not block or alter anything. Ask the manufacturer or a plumber to confirm the system and its instructions.
The control cannot stop a flow, is difficult to turn, or there is no/low/noisy flow; alternatively, the sink drains slowly.These are different control, flow or drainage symptoms; slow sink drainage does not prove a tap leak.Use the matching guide when available. If water cannot be stopped normally, seek prompt help.
You cannot tell where the water comes from or when it starts.A symptom description alone may not reveal the failed part or system.Record what you already observed without dismantling the tap or recreating the leak; arrange assessment if it continues.

If water is escaping outside the spout

Stop using the affected tap. If water is spreading, uncontrolled or near electrical equipment, keep clear and seek prompt help. Do not reach into a wet area to operate a valve or tighten a connection.

Sources
02 / Tap types

Why the tap design matters

An example single-lever mixer: 1 handle/lever, 2 internal valve area, 3 spout outlet and 4 tap-to-sink base.
An example single-lever mixer: 1 handle/lever, 2 internal valve area, 3 spout outlet and 4 tap-to-sink base. The internal area is simplified for recognition, not shown as a removal procedure. Traditional washer taps and other mixers differ; appearance does not identify a compatible spare.

A tap closes its water flow through an internal valve, but the part differs by design. Some traditional screw-down taps use a rubber washer; many modern lever or ceramic-disc taps use a cartridge or valve assembly. The handle shape or number of turns is only a clue. It does not confirm the exact mechanism or which spare part fits.

One common design

Traditional screw-down valve

Some full-turn compression valves seal against a rubber washer. Wear, a damaged seating surface or another valve issue may let water pass, but the symptom cannot show which part needs attention.

Another common design

Lever or ceramic-disc tap

Many lever and ceramic-disc designs use a model-specific valve or cartridge. A persistent drip may involve that assembly, but identifying the correct replacement requires the exact make/model and revision.

Different leak location

Water outside the spout

A leak at a handle, tap base or supply connection follows a different route from water passing through a closed spout. Keep the location distinct when describing the problem.

For Bristan products, the manufacturer says water-borne debris or limescale may affect a valve or its seating. Hansgrohe similarly identifies a faulty or limescale-coated cartridge as one possible cause for a persistent drip on its mixers. These are manufacturer-specific possibilities, not a diagnosis or a claim that every dripping tap needs descaling.

Sources
03 / What to note

Make a useful observation without taking the tap apart

  1. Name the source

    From a dry, safe position, record whether the water was leaving the spout, appearing around the handle/body/base, or visible under the sink.

  2. Note whether it stopped

    If the spout dripped after normal use, record whether it stopped after a few seconds or continued after the tap had been off. Do not set a universal number of seconds or repeat the use to recreate it.

  3. Share any known product details

    If the make or model is already known from paperwork or a visible marking, note it. Do not remove a handle or reach beneath a wet sink to identify the tap.

Sources
04 / DIY boundary

Can you fix a dripping tap yourself?

Identifying the internal part is the hard part on an unfamiliar fitting. This guide does not give a generic washer or cartridge removal recipe: tap assemblies differ, compatible parts are model-specific, and a repair needs suitable isolation and a complete check after the water is restored.

One narrowly model-specific example

If your tap is positively identified as the Bristan MZ SNK EF Range (D8), its own fitting instructions include valve replacement steps and tell you to identify the replacement from the product code. The following procedure applies only to that exact product and manual; do not use it for a tap that merely looks similar.

  1. Confirm the exact model and compatible valve

    Use the exact MZ SNK EF Range (D8) fitting instructions and verify the replacement valve against the product code. If the model or part is uncertain, stop and ask Bristan or a plumber.

  2. Proceed only with known working isolation

    Use only dry, accessible, positively identified isolation valves that operate normally. Close the correct supplies, then open the ordinary tap controls to release remaining water and confirm flow stops. If water keeps flowing, the valves are stuck or the arrangement is uncertain, stop without dismantling.

  3. Follow the manual's removal and replacement sequence

    With the supply isolated, remove the handles and use a suitable 17 mm spanner to remove the valves as shown. Fit only the compatible replacement and reverse the same manual's steps to reassemble the valves and handles. Do not force seized or mismatched parts.

  4. Restore slowly and check for leaks

    Once fully reassembled, restore the supply slowly. Check the tap while off and during one normal use for water from the spout, around the handle/base, and beneath the tap. If a leak appears or the control does not work normally, stop; get plumbing help rather than repeating or improvising the repair. If needed, close the same known working isolation valves only while they remain dry and safe to reach.

For other models, use the exact manufacturer's maintenance instructions or ask a plumber to identify the valve and compatible part. If you rent, check with your landlord before arranging repair work. A tap that will not turn off needs the separate control problem assessed promptly.

Sources
05 / When to get help

When should a plumber or landlord look at it?

Persistent spout drip

Arrange a routine repair assessment

A persistent drip continues from the spout after normal shutoff, with no active leak elsewhere or immediate hazard. Tell the plumber how long it has continued, the leak location and any known make/model.

External leak

Seek prompt help for a leak outside the spout

Water appears around the tap body/base or beneath the sink. Stop using the affected tap and report exactly where you saw water; do not tighten an unidentified fitting.

Uncontrolled water

Keep clear if water is uncontrolled or near electrics

Do not reach into wet electrical areas or try to access a valve in an unsafe location. Seek prompt help from a plumber/landlord.

Keep the symptoms separate

If the tap control cannot stop water, that is a different and more immediate problem. If water is under the sink, use the under-sink leak route. A slow sink drain is a drainage symptom, not proof of a leaking tap.

Helpful tools: Plumber visit checklist. Use these with the guidance above.

Sources
06 / Repair cost

What might a dripping tap repair cost?

The example below is for a constantly dripping standard kitchen mixer with spindle washers and existing isolation valves. Which? surveyed 25 Trusted Traders in November 2025; the listed range includes labour and materials but excludes VAT. It is not a quote for the Bristan valve procedure or every tap design.

Which? Trusted Trader survey: standard washer-type mixer tap

Which? Trusted Trader survey row for fixing a leaky kitchen tap

Survey of 25 Which? Trusted Traders; the specific row has no local-area breakdown · one described job; one-hour estimate · VAT Excluded

£45.00 - £200.00

The row assumes the tap can be isolated and estimates one hour; other models, inaccessible or absent valves, extra parts, travel, urgency and location can change the price. Before agreeing, ask what diagnosis and repair are included, whether a compatible part is available, and for the total including VAT, labour, parts and any call-out or out-of-hours charge.

Sources
07 / Questions

Common questions about a dripping tap

Is it normal for a tap to drip for a few seconds after I turn it off?

It can be. Bristan describes residual water draining from inside the spout for a few seconds on its products. The duration is not a universal test for every tap. A drip that continues after shutoff is a different observation.

Does a dripping tap always need a new washer?

No. Some traditional compression valves use a rubber washer; many modern lever or ceramic-disc taps use a model-specific valve or cartridge. A continuing spout drip does not identify which part is faulty.

Is water at the base the same as a dripping spout?

No. Water at a handle, cap, tap base or below the sink is a separate leak location. Stop using the tap and describe where you saw the water so the source can be assessed.

Could a hot tap drip only while the water heater is heating?

Hansgrohe notes that a tap connected to an open-vented heater may release water through the spout during heating to prevent excess pressure. This is specific to that system arrangement. Do not block or alter anything; have the heater/tap arrangement confirmed if you are unsure.

Can I use a generic tap-washer or cartridge video?

Not safely from the drip symptom alone. Tap designs, compatible parts and isolation arrangements differ. Use the exact instructions for a positively identified model or ask a plumber to identify it; this guide gives one narrowly scoped Bristan example only.

How much does it cost to fix a dripping kitchen tap?

Which? reports £45 - £200 for one survey-described standard washer-type mixer job, assuming isolation valves, including labour/materials but excluding VAT. It is not a local quote or a price for all tap designs; ask for the current full written total.

Sources

EVIDENCE & ACCOUNTABILITY

Sources and review

Prepared by Plumber.org.uk with AI assistance, using the sources listed below. These sources support the explanations; they do not endorse this website.

Source-checked guide with independent editorial review and AI-assisted research. No professional plumbing review is claimed. Initial research: 2026-09-28. Updated: 2026-09-30. This is general information, not an assessment of your installation. Prices can change; confirm compatibility and the full repair quote before buying or booking.

How we research and update guides. Spotted an error? Contact us with the page address and the detail to check. This form is for general enquiries and editorial feedback, not emergency assistance.

  1. Bristan Group Ltd (UK) - FAQ: Kitchen Taps, Bathroom Taps and Showers

    Accessed 2026-09-28. Headings “HOW CAN I STOP MY PRODUCT FROM DRIPPING?” (lines 145 - 151) and “WATER TRICKLES FROM THE TAP AFTER TURNING IT OFF” (lines 160 - 163). Bristan says water remaining in the spout may drain for a few seconds after shutoff; its brand-specific discussion separately names debris/limescale, valves and seating. Used for the distinction and a qualified Bristan-specific mechanism, not UK-wide prevalence.

  2. Bristan Group Ltd (UK) - MZ SNK EF Range (D8): Installation Instructions & User Guide

    Accessed 2026-09-28. The cover identifies “MZ SNK EF Range (D8)” (PDF page 1, lines 130 - 138); its specification shows flexible tails with isolation valves (page 1, lines 116 - 129). Page 2, heading “Maintenance - Replacing Valves”: the instructions say to isolate water first, remove handles, remove valves with a suitable 17 mm spanner, identify the replacement valve using the product code, and reverse steps to replace valves and handles (PDF text lines 251 - 262 and 316 - 317). The same page's trouble-shooting table separates normal short post-use dripping from continued dripping that may involve ceramic-disc valves/cartridge (lines 281 - 289). The manual separately describes restoring mains water and running water for a few minutes after outlet cleaning (lines 172 - 180); that is not represented as a valve-replacement leak test.

  3. Hansgrohe UK - Basin taps: more than just taps

    Accessed 2026-09-28. FAQ “What should I do if my tap is dripping?”: a permanent off-state drip from a mixer may involve a faulty or limescale-coated cartridge. The next FAQ “The bottom of my tap is leaking” separately identifies water escaping at the basin base or lever cap and recommends a plumber assess the cause. Used as qualified manufacturer guidance, not a diagnosis of an unidentified fitting.

  4. Hansgrohe UK - Bathroom taps - frequently asked questions

    Accessed 2026-09-28. FAQ “Open-vented water heater”: Hansgrohe says water may drip from the tap spout during heating to prevent excess pressure in an open-vented heater. Used only as a narrow system-specific exception; no instruction to block, adjust or alter the system is inferred.

  5. Which? (UK) - How much do plumbers cost?

    Accessed 2026-09-28. Table “How much does it cost to fit and fix taps?”: the row “Fix leaky kitchen tap” describes a standard mixer tap (spindle tap with washers) dripping constantly, assumes isolation valves are present, gives £45 - £200 and one hour. The note says prices were based on a survey of 25 Which? Trusted Traders gathered November 2025, include labour and materials, exclude VAT, and are likely toward the upper end in London/South East. This guide uses the row only for that matched example.

  6. Wickes - How to fix a dripping tap

    Accessed 2026-09-28. Headings “What causes taps to drip?” and “How to fix a compression valve tap”: distinguishes a rubber washer in a full-turn compression tap from ceramic-disc taps that open within half a turn; identifies spout, handle and base as different leak locations. Steps 1 - 4 describe one generic compression-valve washer sequence, and the preparation section says isolate supply and drain excess water. The sequence is not adopted as a generic action here because the page does not resolve all fitting/valve variations, exact compatible parts and a complete post-restoration leak check for an unidentified tap.

  7. Screwfix (UK) - How to change a tap cartridge

    Accessed 2026-09-28. Steps 1 and 7 explain isolating supply, slowly restoring water, checking the tap while off for drips around the retaining nut/base, then checking flow/control and looking underneath for leaks (page lines 86 - 89 and 129 - 145). Used only as general commissioning evidence to identify useful checks; no model-specific cartridge removal steps are copied.

  8. Electrical Safety First - Electrical safety after a flood

    Current page accessed 28 Sep 2026: keep clear of exposed wiring and water-damaged electrical equipment; have affected equipment checked by an electrician.