Written by JSW Plumbing | Published on June 2025
A dripping tap wastes between 9,000 and 20,000 litres of water per year, costing you real money on your water bill. In most cases, you can fix a dripping tap yourself in 30 to 60 minutes with basic tools. This guide covers the DIY steps for common tap types, the signs you need a licensed plumber, and what homeowners in Hornsby, Thornleigh and the Hills District should know before picking up a wrench.
Understand Why Taps Drip in the First Place
Before you fix anything, you need to know what is causing the drip. Different tap types fail for different reasons, and fixing the wrong component wastes time and money.
The four most common causes of a dripping tap are worn washers, damaged O-rings, corroded valve seats, and loose packing nuts. Each requires a slightly different approach to fix.
- Worn washers: The most common cause. Every time you turn the tap, the washer presses against the valve seat. Over years of use, it wears out and allows water to seep through.
- Damaged O-rings: Found in cartridge and ball taps. The O-ring seals the stem and wears down with regular use, causing drips near the handle.
- Corroded valve seat: The valve seat connects the tap to the spout. Sediment buildup causes corrosion, leading to leaks around the spout area.
- Loose packing nut: The packing nut holds the stem in place. If it works loose, water drips around the handle rather than from the spout.
- Worn cartridge: Common in modern mixer taps. A faulty cartridge causes dripping from both hot and cold sides.
In the Hills District, older homes built before the 1990s often have compression-style taps with rubber washers. Newer properties in Thornleigh and Hornsby tend to have ceramic disc or cartridge taps, which require different repair methods.
Gather the Right Tools Before You Start
Having the right tools on hand makes the job faster and avoids mid-repair trips to the hardware store. Most of these items cost under $30 total and are worth keeping in any home toolkit.
| Tool or Material | What It Is Used For | Approximate Cost (AUD) |
|---|---|---|
| Adjustable spanner | Loosening and tightening tap body nuts | $15 to $25 |
| Flathead and Phillips screwdrivers | Removing handle screws | $5 to $10 |
| Replacement washers (assorted pack) | Replacing worn rubber washers | $5 to $8 |
| O-ring set | Replacing damaged O-rings on cartridge taps | $6 to $12 |
| Replacement cartridge | Fixing mixer tap drips | $15 to $60 |
| Plumber’s grease | Lubricating new washers and O-rings | $6 to $10 |
| Cloth or towel | Protecting tap surfaces from scratches | Free |
Always check the tap brand before buying a replacement cartridge. Brands like Caroma, Dorf, Methven, and Grohe each use different cartridge designs. Taking a photo of your existing tap before you disassemble it helps you match parts correctly at the store.
Follow These Steps to Fix a Dripping Tap Yourself
These steps cover the most common scenario: a compression tap or mixer tap with a worn washer or cartridge. The same general process applies to most household taps in Australia.
- Turn off the water supply. Find the isolation valve under the sink and turn it clockwise to close it. If there is no isolation valve, turn off the water at the mains. The main shutoff is usually located at the water meter near your front boundary.
- Turn on the tap to release pressure. Open the dripping tap fully to drain any remaining water in the line. This prevents unexpected splashing when you open the tap body.
- Remove the tap handle. Look for a decorative cap on top of the handle. Pop it off with a flathead screwdriver to reveal the screw underneath. Remove the screw and lift the handle straight up.
- Unscrew the packing nut. Use your adjustable spanner to loosen the packing nut (the large hexagonal nut beneath the handle). Turn it anticlockwise. Wrap a cloth around the nut to avoid scratching chrome finishes.
- Remove the stem or cartridge. Lift out the stem by turning it in the direction you would to open the tap. For cartridge taps, the cartridge should pull straight up once the retaining clip is removed.
- Replace the washer or cartridge. For compression taps, remove the old rubber washer from the bottom of the stem (held by a brass screw) and press in the new one. For cartridge taps, insert the new cartridge in the same orientation as the old one.
- Lubricate and reassemble. Apply a small amount of plumber’s grease to the new washer or O-ring. Reassemble in reverse order: stem, packing nut, handle, screw, and cap.
- Turn the water back on slowly. Open the isolation valve gradually and check for any leaks at the connections. Turn the tap on and off a few times to confirm the drip is gone.
If the drip continues after you have replaced the washer, the valve seat may be damaged. A valve seat grinder tool can resurface it, but at that point many homeowners in Thornleigh and surrounds find it more cost-effective to call a plumber.
Know When to Call a Licensed Plumber Instead
DIY tap repairs are legal in Australia as long as they do not involve any work on the water supply pipework itself. Under NSW plumbing regulations, you are allowed to replace tap washers and O-rings, but licensed plumbers must handle any work involving the pipework, valves on the main supply, or hot water systems.
Here are situations where you should stop the DIY attempt and call a professional:
- The tap continues dripping after you have replaced the washer or cartridge twice.
- You notice water damage, staining, or mould under the sink, which suggests a larger leak behind the wall.
- The tap body itself is cracked or corroded. Replacing the entire tap requires connecting to the water supply pipework.
- The hot water side of a mixer tap is dripping and your hot water system is involved.
- You cannot locate an isolation valve and need to shut off the main supply for an extended time.
- The tap is over 15 to 20 years old and multiple components are failing at once.
JSW Plumbing handles tap repairs and full tap replacements across Thornleigh, Hornsby, and the broader Hills District. If you are unsure whether your repair falls within DIY scope, a quick call to our team can save you from making a costly mistake.
Compare DIY Costs vs Professional Tap Repair Costs
Cost is often the deciding factor. Here is a realistic comparison of what you can expect to spend on a DIY repair versus hiring a licensed plumber in the Hornsby and Hills District area.
| Repair Scenario | DIY Cost (AUD) | Licensed Plumber Cost (AUD) |
|---|---|---|
| Replace rubber washer (compression tap) | $5 to $15 | $80 to $150 (call-out + labour) |
| Replace cartridge (mixer tap) | $20 to $60 | $120 to $200 |
| Replace O-rings | $6 to $12 | $80 to $150 |
| Full tap replacement (labour only) | Not permitted as DIY | $150 to $350 |
| Reseat valve seat | $10 to $25 (tool hire) | $100 to $180 |
DIY saves money on simple washer and O-ring replacements. But when the job gets complex or requires licensed work, the cost of a plumber is usually reasonable, especially when you factor in the water savings from stopping a drip permanently.
In the Hills District, a dripping tap that loses just 10 drops per minute wastes roughly 3,000 litres of water per year. Sydney Water bills are charged per kilolitre, so a dripping tap genuinely costs you money every single day it goes unfixed.
Identify Tap Types Common in Hornsby and Hills District Homes
The repair approach depends entirely on the type of tap you have. Homes across Hornsby, Thornleigh, and the Hills District cover a wide range of construction eras, so tap types vary significantly from street to street.
Older homes built between the 1960s and 1990s almost universally use compression taps. These are easy to identify because you need to turn the handle multiple times to fully open or close the tap. The rubber washer wears out over time and is a simple DIY fix.
Homes built or renovated from the 2000s onward typically use ceramic disc taps or cartridge mixer taps. These operate with a quarter-turn action. They are more durable but can still drip, usually due to a cracked ceramic disc or worn cartridge seal.
Ball taps are less common in Australian homes but do appear in some kitchens. They use a rotating ball mechanism and a set of springs and seats. Ball tap repairs require a specific repair kit matched to the tap brand.
If you live in a strata property in Hornsby or a newer townhouse development in the Hills District, check with your strata manager before doing any tap work. Some strata schemes require licensed tradespeople for all plumbing repairs, even simple ones.
FAQs on How to Fix a Dripping Tap
Can I legally fix a dripping tap myself in NSW?
Yes, in NSW you are legally allowed to replace tap washers and O-rings without a plumbing licence. However, any work that involves the water supply pipework, hot water systems, or drainage requires a licensed plumber. Always check NSW Fair Trading guidelines if you are unsure of the scope of your repair.
How long does it take to fix a dripping tap at home?
A straightforward washer replacement takes 20 to 45 minutes for most homeowners. Cartridge replacements typically take 30 to 60 minutes. If the valve seat is damaged or the tap body is corroded, the repair takes longer and may require professional help.
Why is my tap still dripping after I replaced the washer?
If the tap still drips after a new washer, the valve seat is likely pitted or corroded. The valve seat is the surface the washer presses against, and if it is damaged, no washer will seal properly. A plumber can resurface or replace the valve seat to resolve this.
How much water does a dripping tap waste per day?
A tap that drips once per second wastes approximately 30 litres of water per day, or around 11,000 litres per year. Faster drips waste significantly more. Fixing the drip as soon as you notice it reduces both your water bill and environmental impact.
What type of tap washer do I need for my tap?
Tap washers come in several sizes, typically ranging from 12mm to 20mm in diameter. The easiest approach is to remove the old washer and take it to a hardware store like Bunnings in Thornleigh or Castle Hill to match it by size. Buying an assorted washer pack covers most standard sizes.
When should I replace the whole tap rather than repair it?
If your tap is more than 15 to 20 years old, repeatedly needs repairs, has a cracked body, or you cannot source replacement parts, it is more economical to replace the entire tap. JSW Plumbing can advise on modern tap options that suit your existing pipework and budget.
Wrap Up and Next Steps
Fixing a dripping tap is one of the most achievable DIY plumbing tasks you can take on at home. A basic washer or O-ring replacement costs under $20, takes less than an hour, and saves thousands of litres of water per year.
That said, some repairs go beyond DIY scope, whether it is a corroded valve seat, a cracked tap body, or work that touches your water supply pipework. In those cases, calling a licensed plumber is both the legal requirement and the smarter long-term choice.
If your dripping tap in Hornsby, Thornleigh or the Hills District is proving stubborn or you want a professional to handle it from the start, contact JSW Plumbing today. Call us to book a same-day or next-day appointment, and we will have your tap fixed properly the first time.