It’s just a drip, right? That slow tap you’ve been ignoring could be burning through 20,000 litres of water a year. That works out to around $500 on your water bill for doing absolutely nothing. A proper leaking tap repair costs far less than that, yet most Sydney homeowners put it off for months. And every week you wait adds cabinet damage, mould risk, and a bigger bill at the end.
EKORP Plumbing fixes leaking taps right across the St George, Sutherland Shire, and Georges River areas every single day. We’ve seen what a small drip turns into when it’s left alone, and it’s never pretty.
When Drips Turn Into Financial Disasters
A leaking tap isn’t just annoying. It hits your pocket in a few different ways at once:
- Water damage to cabinetry and benchtops from constant moisture
- Mould growing in spots you can’t see until it’s already a problem
- Worn washers or valves that eventually fail completely, turning a drip into a flood
- Bigger repair costs the longer you leave it
Every job we attend in Hurstville, Kogarah, Miranda, and Rockdale that started with a dripping tap. Every single one.
How Much Water (and Money) Is a Dripping Tap Really Wasting?
One drip per second adds up to between 12,000 and 20,000 litres per year. That’s 33 to 55 litres a day going straight down the drain. At Sydney residential water rates, you’re looking at $400 to $550 a year from a single tap.
Now think about multiple taps:
- Kitchen tap
- Bathroom basin mixer
- Showerhead that won’t stop
- Outdoor tap with a dodgy washer
That so-called minor leak in the kitchen suddenly adds up to the same water as filling a backyard pool, and it keeps draining while you sleep.
It’s Not Just About the Water Bill
A dripping tap also drives up humidity under your sink, warps cabinetry, corrodes pipe threads and valve seats, and puts extra pressure on your hot water system if the hot tap is the one that’s leaking. Ignoring it doesn’t save you money. It costs you more over time than a proper fix would have in the first place.
Why Taps Leak: The Most Common Causes (And What Fails First)
Every dripping tap is a symptom of something wearing out. Most of the time it’s happening quietly inside the cartridge or behind the handle. Here’s what we find most often:
1. Worn-Out Washers
The classic problem in older-style taps. Rubber and fibre washers degrade over time from friction and water pressure until they can’t seal when you turn the tap off. You’ll notice dripping from the spout, some stiffness in the handle, and it gets gradually worse week by week.
2. Damaged Ceramic Cartridges (Mixer Taps)
Modern mixer taps use ceramic disc cartridges instead of washers. These crack or lose alignment from hard water build-up, pressure spikes, or being overtightened during a DIY repair. Once they’re cracked, you get a persistent drip or uneven flow that won’t go away.
3. Loose or Perished O-Rings
O-rings sit around the tap spindle or base and stop water leaking out where the tap meets the sink or wall. When they degrade, you’ll see water pooling at the base rather than dripping from the spout.
4. Corroded Valve Seats
If the valve seat inside the tap body is rough or corroded, even a brand new washer or cartridge won’t seal properly. You need it re-machined or replaced by a licensed plumber. That’s not a job for the weekend DIY kit.
5. Incorrect Installation or Dodgy DIY Fixes
Washers installed upside down, cartridges overtightened, tape applied where it shouldn’t be. These quick fixes cause more damage and cost more to undo than the original repair would have. When we inspect a leaking tap, we find the exact fault, explain what’s needed, and use quality parts so it stays fixed.
Can You Fix a Leaking Tap Yourself? (And When You Really Shouldn’t)
If you’ve searched how to fix a leaking tap, you’re not alone. Here’s the honest answer: some leaks are DIY-friendly, most aren’t, and the cost of getting it wrong usually exceeds what a plumber would have charged.
When DIY Might Work
You might get away with it if:
- It’s an older tap with a standard rubber washer
- You’ve turned off the water at the mains
- You know how to safely disassemble and reassemble the spindle
- You’ve got the right tools: multi-grips, spanners, a tap reseating kit
- You can replace washers and O-rings without damaging the threads
Even then, if you don’t check the valve seat, you’re treating symptoms, not the cause.
When You Should Absolutely Call EKORP Plumbing
Pick up the phone if:
- Your tap is a mixer with a ceramic cartridge
- Water is leaking from the base or behind the handle
- The tap is stiff, cracked, or spinning loose
- You’ve already tried fixing it and now it’s worse
- You’re in an apartment and can’t isolate the water supply
- You keep dealing with the same leak every few months
Why Our Repairs Last
We don’t just swap a washer and head off. EKORP Plumbing checks and machines valve seats when needed, fits genuine long-life parts, adjusts spindle tension, lubricates moving parts, and tests water pressure to find out if that’s causing the repeat leaks. We’re based in Sydney’s southern suburbs, so we get there fast and get it done properly the first time.
Repair or Replace? When It’s Time to Upgrade the Whole Tap
Sometimes the smart move isn’t a repair. If you’re dealing with recurring leaks, visible corrosion, or a tap that’s older than your kitchen tiles, a full replacement may save you money in the long run.
When It’s Worth Repairing
- The tap is less than five to seven years old
- The fault is clearly a worn washer, cartridge, or O-ring
- There’s no corrosion or thread damage
- You just need it to stop dripping, fast
A proper repair from EKORP Plumbing can restore full function for years, particularly when your water pressure is well-regulated.
When It’s Time to Replace the Tap
- The tap is pitted, worn, or well past its best
- You’ve had to repair it more than once
- You’re doing a bathroom or kitchen renovation
- You want to move to a mixer or a water-saving model
- Internal threads are stripped or the valve seat can’t be saved
Upgrade Bonus: Lower Bills and Better Flow
Modern taps do more than look good. Many come with ceramic disc cartridges for smoother, longer-lasting performance, WELS-rated water savings, and cleaner installation that reduces the chance of future leaks. EKORP Plumbing supplies and installs trusted tapware that suits your budget and your plumbing setup. Not sure which tap to go with? We’ll assess your system, recommend options, and handle the installation without fuss.
A $500 Problem Solved in Under an Hour: Why Locals Call EKORP
If your tap has been leaking for weeks, every day is costing you money. The longer it drips, the greater the chance of cabinet damage, corrosion, or pressure issues that add to the bill.
Most leaking taps can be repaired in under an hour with long-life washers or ceramic cartridges, valve seat polishing where needed, proper resealing, and a pressure test to confirm the fix holds. EKORP Plumbing is trusted across Hurstville, Kogarah, Rockdale, Miranda, and the wider St George and Sutherland Shire areas for fast, honest work with no upsell and no drama.
Stop the Drip. Save the Cash.
Got a leaking tap that won’t quit? Call EKORP Plumbing on 02 8667 5354. We’re available 24/7, arrive within 60 minutes, charge $0 callout, and carry Licence 322223C. Book online or call now for same-day service across Sydney’s south. Fixed right, first time.
