Tap Repair & Replacement

Fix dripping taps or upgrade to stylish new mixer taps. We handle kitchen and bathroom tap installations.

Price: From £85
Typical time: 1 hour
Guarantee: 12 months on workmanship

9.96/10 on Checkatrade from 103 reviewsGas Safe registered, trading since 2009

Our work: Period-style bath shower mixer with a ceramic-handled handset.

About tap repair & replacement

A dripping tap is almost always down to a worn seal inside it, and which part has failed depends on the type of tap fitted. Older pillar taps, the traditional separate hot and cold type common in a lot of Romford and Havering homes, usually rely on a rubber washer that hardens and perishes over time, causing the classic drip from the spout. Modern mixer taps use a ceramic disc cartridge instead, which doesn't wear the same way but can fail suddenly, either dripping or becoming stiff and difficult to turn.

Whether it's worth repairing or replacing usually comes down to the tap's condition and age. A washer replacement on a pillar tap is quick and straightforward if the rest of the tap is in good order, and a cartridge swap on a mixer tap solves most stiff or dripping mixer taps without replacing the whole fitting. If the tap body itself is corroded, the finish is worn away, or spares aren't available for an old model, replacement is usually the better option.

Choosing a new tap isn't just about looks. Some mixer taps, particularly certain modern designer styles, need a minimum water pressure to work properly and won't perform well on a low-pressure gravity-fed system, which is still common in houses with a cold water tank in the loft. Getting the right tap for the system it's going onto matters as much as the style.

Fitting a new tap also means checking the connections underneath, since old isolation valves and flexible tails are sometimes seized or corroded and need replacing at the same time to avoid a leak appearing a few months later.

What's included

How the job runs, start to finish.

1Identify the tap type and likely cause of the fault
2Replace a washer or ceramic cartridge on a repairable tap
3Check isolation valves and flexible tails underneath
4Advise on suitable replacement taps for the water system
5Remove the old tap and fit the new one
6Reconnect and check for leaks at all joints
7Test flow and shut-off before finishing

Tap Repair & Replacement pricing

Price

From £85

Typical time: 1 hour

Dripping Taps
New Mixers
Washer Replacement
12-month workmanship guarantee

Every job is priced before any work starts, and quotes are free. Read the cost guide.

Call 07502 225764 Get a free quote

Signs you need tap repair & replacement

A tap that drips steadily from the spout
A tap that's stiff or hard to turn off fully
Water leaking from the base of the tap handle
Low flow from one side of a mixer tap
Visible corrosion or staining around the tap body
A tap that won't fully shut off

What customers say

All 103 reviews

“Burst outside pipe in the freezing weather very quick response and fixed and very reasonable”
Plumbing Repair · Checkatrade review, RM14
“I requested Dan and his team to help locate and fix a leaking water pipe in a small block of flats. The work carried out was of an excellent standard with minimal fuss and in a timely manner. Dan and his team explained clearly the work that had to be done and communicated clearly with all parties impacted. Dan has undertaken a number of jobs for me in the last 2 years all of which have been completed to the highest standard. Highly recommended.”
Plumbing Repair · Checkatrade review, RM11
“Turned up on time. Done the job Done exactly what they said. Would recommend Excellent!”
Plumbing Repair · Checkatrade review, RM5

Photos of our work

Tap & Fixture Upgrades: 7 photos

Tap Repair & Replacement questions

Clear answers to your most common plumbing concerns.

Should I repair or replace my tap?

If the body of the tap is in good condition, a repair is usually cheaper and effective.

Why has my tap suddenly become stiff to turn?

This is a common sign of a worn or failing ceramic disc cartridge inside a mixer tap, rather than anything to do with a washer, since mixer taps don't use one. Replacing the cartridge is a fairly quick job and usually restores smooth operation completely without needing to replace the whole tap.

Can any tap be fitted on a low-pressure system?

No - some mixer taps, particularly certain modern or designer styles, are designed for mains pressure and won't perform well on a gravity-fed system with a loft tank. It's worth checking a tap is rated for low pressure before buying one if your system isn't mains-fed.

My old pillar taps keep needing new washers, is that normal?

Washers do wear out and need periodic replacement, but if you're replacing one every few months the washer seat inside the tap may be worn or scored, which stops a new washer sealing properly. At that point replacing the tap is usually more sensible than repeating the repair.

Do you supply taps or fit customer-bought ones?

Both are fine - we're happy to fit a tap you've already chosen and bought yourself, or talk through what's suitable for your kitchen, bathroom, and water pressure if you'd rather have some guidance before buying one. Either way, the connections underneath get checked as part of the job.

Is it worth replacing the isolation valves when I get a new tap fitted?

If the existing valves are old, stiff, or show any sign of corrosion, replacing them at the same time as the tap avoids a leak turning up later from a part that was already close to failing. It's a small addition to the job that saves a second call-out.

Where we work

Based in Romford, covering Havering, Essex and London.

Tap Repair & Replacement guides

Dripping Tap in Essex: Cost to Fix, DIY vs PlumberFix your dripping tap and stop wasting water. Learn repair costs in Essex, when DIY works, and when to call a plumber. Saves up to £180/year.5 min read

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