Outside Tap Dripping — How to Fix It
Turn off the water supply to the outside tap before starting. The isolation valve is usually inside the house.
A dripping outside tap is one of the most common plumbing niggles UK homeowners encounter, especially as the seasons change and frost puts pressure on outdoor pipework. The culprit is almost always a worn rubber washer or O-ring inside the tap body — nothing sinister, and nothing that requires a plumber's bill. Whether you've got a garden tap that's been weeping for weeks or you've just noticed it's started, this is genuinely one of the easiest DIY repairs you can tackle with basic tools and a bit of patience. The whole job typically takes 15–20 minutes once you've got the right spare parts, which cost barely more than a cup of coffee. If your tap is old, corroded, or the valve body itself is damaged, a professional replacement might be the better option, but in most cases this guide will have you sorted.
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Turn off the water supply to the outside tap using the indoor isolation valve. This is usually a screwdriver-slot valve (turn 90° so the slot is across the pipe = off), often found under the kitchen sink or in a utility room.
Open the outside tap to release any remaining water pressure.
Unscrew the tap head — there is usually a screw under the plastic cap on top of the handle. Once the screw is removed, pull the handle off.
Undo the packing nut (the large hexagonal nut behind the handle) using an adjustable spanner. Unscrew and remove the entire valve body.
At the base of the valve body you will see the rubber washer held in place by a small brass screw. Remove the old washer and replace it with a new one of the same size.
Inspect the O-ring on the valve stem — if cracked or flattened, replace it too. Tap washer and O-ring kits are available from any hardware store for £2–5.
Reassemble in reverse order. Turn the water supply back on slowly and check for leaks around the packing nut. Tighten slightly if needed.
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Frequently asked questions
Why is my outside tap dripping even when it's turned off?
When you turn off an outside tap, the rubber washer at the base of the valve body compresses against a brass seat to block the water flow. Over time, this washer hardens, cracks, or flattens, creating a tiny gap that water seeps through — that's your drip. A replacement washer (usually just a few millimetres thick) will seal it again.
Can I just tighten the tap handle to stop the drip?
Tightening the handle might make the drip slow down temporarily, but it won't fix the underlying problem and can actually damage the valve seat, making things worse. The proper fix is to replace the worn washer inside — tightening just masks the fault.
Is it worth fixing a dripping tap or should I just replace it?
Unless your tap is old, heavily corroded, or leaking from the body itself, a washer replacement is absolutely worth doing — it costs a few quid and takes minutes. A new tap can run £30–100+ fitted, so repair is the sensible choice for most homeowners.
How often do outside tap washers need replacing?
Most outside tap washers last 5–10 years depending on water hardness and how often the tap is used. If you've got a constantly dripping tap, check it annually during spring; replacement is so cheap it makes sense to do it before it becomes a nuisance.
What if my outside tap still drips after I've replaced the washer?
If the drip persists, the valve seat (the brass part the washer presses against) may be scored or damaged, preventing a proper seal. In that case, you'll need a replacement tap, or a plumber can sometimes re-seat the valve — it's worth a call to get it checked before buying a new one.
Do I need a Gas Safe engineer to fix an outside tap?
No — an outside tap is purely a water supply issue, not a gas safety matter, so Gas Safe registration is irrelevant. Any competent plumber can help, or you can tackle it yourself as a straightforward DIY job with no safety risks beyond normal water system work.