PLUMBING PROBLEM GUIDES

Taps & Sinks

Dripping taps, stiff controls, leaks, low water flow and slow-draining sinks.

Start with what the tap or sink is doing: dripping after shutoff, leaking around a fitting, difficult controls, weak flow or slow drainage. Choose the guide that matches the symptom.

Find your problem

Mixer tap only running hot or coldMixer tap only running hot or cold? Check normal control behaviour, compare other taps and find out when to contact the maker, installer or plumber.Read the guide No water coming from a tapNo water from a tap? Compare hot and cold outlets, check for a wider supply interruption and decide whether to contact your supplier or a plumber.Read the guide Sink draining slowlyCheck why a sink drains slowly, follow plunger steps for a suitable sink and recognise when cleaners, leaks or backflow mean you should stop.Read the guide Tap difficult to turnStiff tap handle? Understand possible causes, check whether the control has changed and know when to seek help without forcing or dismantling it.Read the guide Tap drippingTap dripping after use? Separate brief spout drainage from a persistent leak, understand valves and washers, and explore suitable repairs and UK cost examples.Read the guide Low water pressure from a tapWeak flow at one tap or several? Compare hot and cold outlets, check possible causes and see a cleaning step for an identified Hansgrohe QuickClean fitting.Read the guide Tap leaking from the baseWater around a tap base? Distinguish a leak at the sink join, handle or swivel from water running down, and learn when to get plumbing help.Read the guide Water leaking under the sinkSee how to describe a leak beneath a sink, distinguish visible supply and waste locations, take safe damage-limitation steps and know when to get help.Read the guide Tap making a noiseTap whistling, humming or banging? Compare when the noise happens, explore possible causes and learn which signs need a plumber.Read the guide Tap won’t turn offTap won’t turn off? Distinguish continuous flow from a drip, limit incoming water where safe and recognise when urgent plumbing help is needed.Read the guide

Choose by symptom

Water from the spout, a leak around the tap and water beneath the sink can have different causes. Follow the checks before choosing a part; any repair depends on the fitting and safe isolation.

Common questions

Which leak guide matches water around my sink?

Choose the observed location: the spout, the tap base above the sink, or the space underneath. A puddle alone does not identify the faulty part.

Should I use the weak-flow guide or the no-water guide?

Use the weak-flow guide if a stream still comes out but is weaker than usual. If no water comes out, the no-water guide compares one outlet with a wider supply interruption.

What if my sink drains slowly but is not completely blocked?

Start with Sink draining slowly. For standing water that will not drain, use Sink blocked. Each guide explains when a limited plunger attempt is appropriate and when to stop.

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