Bathroom and Plumbing guide
Investigate a dripping tap
Identify the tap and its serviceable part, prove the water isolation works and make a reversible low-risk repair.
- Difficulty
- intermediate
- Time
- One to three hours after the correct part is available
- Safety level
- Check first
This guide is a starting point, not a survey of your home. Check the actual surface, hidden services, product instructions and local requirements before work. Stop when a safety condition or professional checkpoint applies.
Materials
- Exact replacement washer, O-ring or cartridge identified for the tap model
- Manufacturer-approved lubricant or seal only where specified
- Cloths and a shallow tray for residual water
Tools
- Screwdrivers and hex keys that fit the tap fasteners exactly
- Adjustable spanner or correctly sized spanner with jaw protection
- Plug or drain cover to catch small parts
- Torch for checking accessible isolation valves and leaks
Preparation
- Identify the tap make/model and whether the drip comes from the spout, handle or pipe connection.
- Locate the correct water isolation and confirm it turns freely without force.
- Obtain the exact service instructions and replacement part before dismantling.
- Clear the cabinet or basin area and protect finishes and the drain.
Safety
- Do not begin unless the water can be positively isolated and another occupant will not restore it.
- Do not work on an electric shower, boiler, hot-water cylinder controls or any gas-related appliance.
- Never force a seized isolation valve or corroded fitting; a small drip can become an uncontrolled leak.
Steps
Diagnose before opening
Confirm where the water appears and use the model instructions to identify the serviceable component.
Isolate and prove
Close the correct accessible valve, open the tap and confirm flow stops before removing any part.
Safety checkpoint: Stop if the valve leaks, will not turn normally or does not fully stop the water.
Disassemble in order
Protect the finish, photograph each layer and remove only the components covered by the maker's service method.
Replace the confirmed part
Clean approved seating surfaces and fit the exact replacement without forcing or over-tightening it.
Restore and test slowly
Reopen the water gradually, test the tap repeatedly and inspect every disturbed joint for several minutes.
Professional checkpoints
- Call a competent plumber if isolation is unavailable, fittings are seized or corroded, pipework moves, or the exact part and method cannot be confirmed.
Visual guidance
Level: helpful · Format: annotated-photo
A close photo of the tap and handles helps identify the likely valve or cartridge before it is opened.
Illustration brief (conceptual only): Label the tap type, hot and cold controls, accessible isolation valves and removable trim visible in the supplied photos; do not infer hidden pipework.
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