Tap Repairs and Tap Replacement
Tap Doctor Plumbing & Gas, trusted since 1985
Dripping kitchen tap, leaking mixer or a garden tap that won’t turn off? A licensed Tap Doctor plumber finds the cause, tells you whether a repair or a new tap makes more sense, and agrees a firm price before any work starts.
- 1Tell us which tap is playing up
- 2Pick a day and time that suits
- 3A licensed plumber checks it and gives you a firm price
- 4Tap fixed or replaced, leak gone
- Trusted since 1985
- Licensed plumbers and gasfitters
- No call-out fee in business hours
- Firm price agreed before work starts
- 2,000+ Google reviews
- Trusted since 1985
- Licensed plumbers and gasfitters
- No call-out fee in business hours
- Phones answered 24/7
Taps we repair and replace
Most of the taps we’re called about are leaking, dripping, stiff or won’t turn off. These are the ones we see most often.
Kitchen mixer taps
Leaks around the base, a loose or wobbly handle, a spout that keeps dripping after you turn it off, or a pull-out hose that has split. Most kitchen mixers have a cartridge inside that can be replaced while parts are still made.
Bathroom and basin taps
Separate hot and cold taps with worn washers, basin mixers that drip, and taps that are hard to turn or spin without shutting off.
Laundry and washing machine taps
Washing machine taps that weep, laundry trough taps, and the flexible hoses and isolation valves under the trough.
Outdoor and garden taps
Garden taps that drip or won’t shut off, cracked tap bodies, and leaks where the tap meets the wall or the pipe underneath.
Shower and bath taps
Dripping shower heads, leaking mixers and diverters that send water to the wrong outlet. See shower repairs.
Taps that won’t turn off
A tap that keeps running needs fixing straight away. Turn off the isolation valve under the sink, or the water at the mains, then call us.
Why taps leak
A dripping tap is almost always a worn part inside it. Which part depends on the type of tap.
Worn washers
Older taps with separate hot and cold handles close a rubber washer against a seat. Over time the washer hardens and splits, and the tap drips from the spout.
Worn cartridges
Mixers and quarter-turn taps use a ceramic cartridge instead of a washer. Grit and wear stop it sealing, so the tap drips or the handle feels rough.
Damaged seats
If the brass seat under the washer is pitted or worn, a new washer won’t seal for long. The seat needs repairing, or the tap needs replacing.
Perished O-rings
Water leaking from around the spout or the base of the handle, rather than from the outlet, usually means the rubber O-rings have worn.
Split flexible hoses
Most mixers connect to the pipes with braided flexible hoses. When they age they can bulge, weep or burst, so a leak under the sink is worth checking quickly.
High water pressure
Pressure that is too high wears washers and cartridges faster and can make pipes bang when a tap is turned off. Your plumber can check it while they’re there.
Repair or replace your tap?
Your plumber looks at the tap, explains the options and gives you a firm price for each before starting. As a rule of thumb:
Usually worth repairing
- A newer tap with a worn washer, O-ring or cartridge
- A good quality tap you like the look of
- Mixers where the maker still sells the cartridge
- Taps with a loose handle or spout that only needs re-seating
Usually better to replace
- Old taps with a corroded body or a badly worn seat
- Mixers whose parts are no longer made
- Taps that keep leaking after earlier repairs
- When you’re replacing several old taps or updating a kitchen or bathroom
What a tap repair costs
We don’t guess prices over the phone, because two leaking taps can need very different work. These are the things that change the price.
- Type of tapSeparate taps, mixers and wall-mounted taps all come apart differently, and some need special parts.
- Repair or replacementA new washer or cartridge costs less than a new tap. If the tap needs replacing, the tapware you choose affects the price.
- Parts availabilitySome older mixers need a matching cartridge that has to be sourced.
- AccessTight cupboards, wall-mounted taps behind tiles and outdoor taps set low or in garden beds can take longer.
- Valves and hosesOld isolation valves or flexible hoses are often worth replacing at the same time, so the new tap doesn’t leak from underneath.
- How many tapsDoing several taps in one visit is usually better value than separate visits.
No call-out fee in business hours
You pay for the work you agree to. If you decide not to go ahead, there’s nothing to pay during business hours.
A firm price before we start
Your plumber looks at the job, explains the options and gives you a firm price. Nothing starts until you agree, and that’s the price you pay.
What to do about a leaking tap right now
Most dripping taps aren’t an emergency, but a few simple steps stop the waste and stop the damage getting worse.
Do this
- Find the isolation valve on the pipe under the sink or basin and turn it off. It’s usually a small lever or a slot you turn with a screwdriver.
- If there’s no isolation valve, or the tap won’t stop running, turn the water off at the mains. The stop valve is usually next to your water meter, near the front boundary.
- Put a towel or tray under any leak inside a cupboard to protect the cabinet.
- Note the brand of the tap if you can see it. It helps your plumber bring the right parts.
Avoid this
- Don’t keep forcing the handle tighter. It damages the washer, cartridge or seat and can turn a repair into a replacement.
- Don’t ignore water under the sink. A weeping flexible hose can burst without warning.
- Don’t leave a garden tap running into the ground. It can soften soil around paths and foundations.
A tap you can’t turn off is urgent. Call 1300-655-827, 24/7.
Signs you need a plumber for your tap
Some tap problems are a sign that something bigger is going on. Call us if you notice any of these.
It drips after you turn it off firmly
The washer, seat or cartridge isn’t sealing any more.
Water under the sink or around the base
A loose connection, worn O-ring or failing flexible hose.
The handle is stiff, loose or spins
Worn internal parts or a stripped spindle.
Banging pipes when you turn it off
Often water hammer or high pressure, which wears taps and pipes.
A wet patch near an outdoor tap
Possibly a leak in the pipe below ground. See leak detection.
A higher water bill with no other change
A hidden leak somewhere in the system. See burst pipes and leaks.
Why call Tap Doctor
Customers mention taps in their reviews more than any other job. Here’s what you can expect when you book.
A firm price before any work starts
Your plumber explains what’s needed and gives you a firm price. Nothing starts until you say yes.
No call-out fee in business hours
You don’t pay for us to turn up and look. If you decide not to go ahead, you owe nothing during business hours.
Licensed plumbers and gasfitters
Every job is done by a licensed plumber. Our licence numbers are listed at the bottom of every page of this website.
Guaranteed work, 5-year in-home warranty
All our work is guaranteed, with a 5-year in-home warranty. If something we fixed isn’t right, call us.
Trusted since 1985, 2,000+ Google reviews
Tap Doctor has been fixing taps, pipes and hot water systems since 1985, and our customers have left more than 2,000 Google reviews.
What customers say about our tap repairs
2,000+ Google reviews
“Charlie arrived on time & offered 2 different kitchen taps to replace my old, leaking tap. He was very friendly, helpful & I appreciated the way he explained the workings of my new tap.”
“Dr Duane did a terrific job repairing our leaking bathroom taps. We took his advice to replace the existing troublesome basin taps and are very happy with the result.”
“Dr Nathan gave good advice and explanations on what needed to be done. Replacement taps were in the van and work was done immediately.”
“…fixed the leaking tap very quickly and in a very professional way. I knew before he started the job how much it would cost, which is very good.”
“The boys did a great job of replacing the laundry tap and fitting isolations under the sink, no more leaks!”
“I’d pre-purchased the wrong tap so he drove to Reece to buy a new one and replaced it immediately. Communication was great and price very reasonable.”
Tap repair FAQs
How much does it cost to fix a leaking tap?
It depends on the type of tap, whether parts are still available and whether a repair or a new tap is the better option. Your plumber checks the tap first and gives you a firm price before any work starts. There’s no call-out fee during business hours.
Is it better to repair or replace a leaking tap?
A newer tap with a worn washer, O-ring or cartridge is usually worth repairing. An old tap with a damaged body or seat, a mixer whose parts are no longer made, or a tap that keeps leaking after repairs is usually better replaced. Your plumber can price both so you can choose.
Why does my tap still drip after I turn it off hard?
On older taps it’s usually a worn washer or a damaged seat. On mixers it’s usually a worn cartridge. Turning the handle harder makes the damage worse, so it’s worth getting it looked at early.
Can you replace a kitchen mixer tap?
Yes. Kitchen, basin, laundry, shower and outdoor taps can all be replaced. Tell us when you book if you’ve already bought the new tap, so the plumber knows what to expect.
My tap won’t turn off. What should I do?
Turn off the isolation valve under the sink if there is one. If there isn’t, or the water keeps running, turn the water off at the mains, then call us on 1300-655-827. Our phones are answered 24/7.
Is a dripping tap really worth fixing?
Yes. A tap that drips all day wastes water you pay for, and the drip usually gets worse as the washer or cartridge wears. A small repair now is usually cheaper than a bigger one later.
Do you guarantee tap repairs?
Yes. All our work is guaranteed, with a 5-year in-home warranty.
Got a leaking tap?
Book online in under 2 minutes, or call us any time on 1300-655-827.