A dripping tap is the easiest plumbing fault to ignore and one of the most quietly wasteful. That steady drip… drip… is litres going down the drain — and your money with it. Here's what's behind it.
What causes it
On older taps it's a worn washer; on modern mixers it's a worn ceramic cartridge — either way, water sneaks past even when the tap is closed. High water pressure speeds up the wear, which is why some taps drip again soon after a repair.
What it's costing you
A steady drip wastes tens of litres a day — thousands a year — visible on your water bill. On a metered supply it's a small fault with a real, ongoing cost. Cheap to fix, expensive to ignore.
The fix
Replacing a washer or cartridge is quick for a plumber, who'll also match the right part and check the valve seat isn't damaged. See tap repairs.
Why it keeps coming back
If a tap drips again shortly after a repair, the usual culprit is high water pressure wearing the new part. Fitting a pressure reducing valve stops the repeat failures and protects the rest of your plumbing. Book a quick fix.