The Sydney Homeowner's Guide to Leaking Tap Repairs

Why taps leak, how much water they waste, when repairs are simple, when replacements are smarter - and the right way to fix them. A leaking tap is one of those plumbing issues every Sydney homeowner faces sooner or later. That irritating drip… drip… drip… is more than just a noise problem - it wastes water, drives up your bills, damages fixtures and can signal much bigger underlying issues. Whether you’re in a modern apartment in the Eastern Suburbs, a federation home in the Inner West, a coastal property on the Northern Beaches, a family home in Western Sydney, or anywhere across Greater Sydney, leaking taps are one of the most common (and most preventable) plumbing issues. Jayco Plumbing has repaired thousands of leaking taps over the past 20+ years, and this guide gives you a complete, honest breakdown of the real causes, real fixes and real long-term solutions.

A leaking tap can mean:

• Dripping from the spout
• Water seeping from the base
• Water leaking under the sink
• Handle leaking when turned on
• Mixer tap dripping even when “off”
• Taps that keep running or don’t shut off fully

Even a slow drip can waste thousands of litres per year. This isn’t something you ignore - it’s something you fix.

After inspecting thousands of tap systems across Sydney, these are the true culprits:

Worn Tap Washers

The most common cause in traditional taps. Washers harden over time and can no longer form a seal.

Ceramic Disc Failure (Mixer Taps)

Mixer taps use ceramic cartridges. When they fail, the tap drips.

High Water Pressure

Many Sydney suburbs suffer from dangerously high mains pressure (500–800 kPa). High pressure destroys:

• Washers
• Cartridges
• O-rings
• Tap bodies

High water pressure = short tap lifespan.

Worn O-Rings

O-rings inside the tap dry, split or deteriorate.

Corroded Internal Parts

Especially in:

• Older homes
• Coastal suburbs (salt exposure)
• Hard-water areas

Poor Installation or DIY Repairs

Incorrect tap assembly always leads to leaks.

Faulty Mixer Cartridges

Cheap or low-quality mixers fail early.

Old or Poor-Quality Taps

Not all taps are built to last. Cheaper taps wear out quickly.

Hidden Leaks Under the Sink

A leaking tap doesn’t always drip visibly. Sometimes the leak is:

• Behind the vanity
• In a cupboard
• Behind wall tiles

Dripping or Running Water

The obvious sign.

Handles Hard to Turn

Aging washers or cartridges.

Water Hammer

Loud bangs in pipes - usually high pressure.

Stiff or Loose Handles

Internal parts worn out.

Water Pooling Under the Sink

A hidden leak.

Mixer Tap Temperature Issues

Internal mixing cartridge failure.

Spout Drips After Being Turned Off

Common in old taps.

Increased Water Bills

Slow leaks add up.

A single dripping tap can waste:

• Up to 20,000+ litres per year
• Hundreds of dollars in water charges
• Thousands of dollars in damage if leaking under cupboards

A leaking tap is one of the cheapest plumbing repairs - but one of the most expensive problems if ignored.

Jayco Plumbing follows a precise system for tap repairs.

STEP 1 - Diagnose the Tap Type

Traditional Taps

(Separate hot and cold taps) Use washers, O-rings and spindles.

Mixer Taps

(One handle controlling hot + cold) Use ceramic disc cartridges. Identifying the tap type tells us what’s likely wrong.

STEP 2 - Disassemble & Inspect We inspect:

• Washer
• Seat
• Spindle
• O-rings
• Cartridge
• Body
• Seals

This determines whether repair or replacement is best.

STEP 3 - Repair or Replace

Traditional Tap Repairs

Usually involves:

• New washers
• New O-rings
• Re-seating the tap
• Re-greasing parts

Mixer Tap Repairs

Requires:

• New ceramic cartridge
• Re-sealing body
• Checking pressure

Under-Sink Leak Repairs

Fixing:

• Loose hoses
• Cracked fittings
• Faulty flexi hoses

Tap Replacement

Some taps aren’t worth repairing:

• Corroded
• Cheap builders-grade taps
• Taps with worn bodies
• Taps older than 10–15 years

A modern mixer tap is often a better investment.

STEP 4 - Pressure Testing High water pressure destroys taps. We test mains pressure and recommend PRV installation if needed.

STEP 5 - Final Inspection We ensure:

• No leaks
• Smooth operation
• Balanced hot/cold mix
• Correct water flow

Inner West (Newtown, Marrickville, Leichhardt)

Old taps + old washers + high pressure.

Eastern Suburbs (Bondi, Randwick, Coogee)

Salt corrosion + cheap strata taps.

Northern Beaches (Manly, Dee Why, Narrabeen)

Salt + moisture = faster cartridge damage.

North Shore (Chatswood, Wahroonga)

Hard water + high usage in large households.

Western Sydney (Parramatta, Penrith, Blacktown)

Hard water + ageing infrastructure.

Hills District (Castle Hill, Kellyville)

High water pressure issues.

Sutherland Shire (Cronulla, Miranda)

Salt + ground movement affecting supply lines.

St George (Kogarah, Hurstville)

Old pipes + old washers.

South West Sydney (Liverpool, Campbelltown)

Mixed quality installations in new estates.

Canterbury–Bankstown (Campsie, Bankstown)

Older taps + high household usage. Every suburb has its own tap issues - we’ve repaired them all.

Repair If:

• Tap is under 10 years old
• Tap body is still strong
• Only the internal parts have failed
• Minor leaks or drips

Replace If:

• Tap is old or corroded
• Mixer cartridge keeps failing
• High-end taps no longer have replacement parts
• Tap is leaking from multiple places
• Flexi hoses are ageing

A modern mixer tap is often the simplest long-term fix.

Typical Repairs

• Washer replacement: $120–$180
• Mixer cartridge: $180–$280
• Full tap service: $150–$250
• Under-sink leak repair: $120–$240

Tap Replacement

• Standard mixer tap supplied + installed: $250–$450
• Premium tap supplied + installed: $350–$800

Prices depend on:

• Tap type
• Access
• Parts required
• Existing damage

We provide upfront pricing with no surprises.

Install a Pressure Limiting Valve (PRV)

Sydney pressure kills taps.

Avoid Cheap Taps

They fail early. Choose reputable brands.

Inspect Flexi Hoses Annually

These are common burst and leak points.

Don’t Force Tap Handles

Over-tightening damages washers.

Get Your System Checked Every 2–3 Years

Small issues turn into big leaks if ignored.

Call us if:

• Your tap drips no matter what
• Your mixer tap is difficult to turn
• Water is leaking under the sink
• Your tap squeals or makes noise
• Your water pressure is too high
• Handles feel stiff, loose or noisy
• Temperature fluctuates
• Any tap leak keeps returning

A leaking tap is simple to fix - but only if the real cause is identified.

• 20+ years of experience
• Specialists in tap repairs & replacements
• Upfront pricing
• Sydney-wide service
• High-quality taps & parts
• We repair or replace the right way
• No mess, no shortcuts, no rushed jobs
• We fix issues permanently, not temporarily

We’ve repaired thousands of leaking taps across Greater Sydney - we know what works.