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Problem Guides

Taps

Dripping, leaking, stiff, no flow and tap replacement

25 free DIY guides · 41 total

From a dripping kitchen tap that won't stop to a bathroom mixer with no pressure, tap problems are almost always fixable without replacing the whole fitting. The most common culprits are worn washers, failed cartridges, seized ceramic discs, and limescale build-up — all straightforward DIY jobs if you know where to look. These guides cover all UK tap types including quarter-turn monobloc mixers, traditional pillar taps, thermostatic bath taps, and popular brands like Grohe, Hansgrohe, Bristan, Franke, and Quooker — with step-by-step diagnosis so you buy the right part first time.

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1

How much does a plumber charge per hour in the UK? (2025)

Current UK plumber hourly rates, call-out charges, and how to get a fair price — regional breakdowns included.

2

How much does it cost to replace a tap in the UK?

UK costs for replacing kitchen and bathroom taps — including monobloc mixer, pillar taps, and what affects the price.

3

Tap handle stiff or hard to turn

Why taps become hard to operate and how to free them

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Which tap is the problem?

All guides
Basin Mixer Tap Dripping (Cartridge vs Washer — How to Tell and DIY Fix)Free
Basin mixer taps can use either a ceramic disc cartridge or a traditional rubber washer. The fix is different for each — here's how to identify which you have and fix it.· 30–60 minutes
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Bath Tap Problems (Pillar Taps, Bath Fillers — Dripping and Replacement)
Bath taps come under more stress than basin taps due to higher flow rates and frequent use. Drips are usually a washer or cartridge fault. Replacement is a good DIY job if the valves under the bath are accessible.· 1–3 hours
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Boiling Water Tap Not Dispensing Hot Water
Quooker, Zip HydroTap, or other boiling water tap producing cold or lukewarm water· 30–90 min
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Bristan Tap Problems (Zing, Artisan — Cartridge Faults)Free
Bristan taps are among the most common in UK social housing and residential properties. Spares are widely available and cartridge replacement is well within a confident DIYer's ability.· 30–60 minutes
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Cold tap runs warm — hot and cold water mixing
Cold water from the tap is warm or tepid· 20–40 min
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Dripping tap that won't stopFree
Tap drips constantly even when fully turned off· 20–45 min
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Franke Tap Problems (Minerva, Rolux — Cartridge and Ceramic Disc Faults)
Franke kitchen taps are mid-to-premium range and use good quality ceramic disc cartridges. Spares are available but can be harder to source than more common brands — identify your model carefully.· 45–75 minutes
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Grohe Tap Problems (Eurostyle, Eurosmart, Essence)
Grohe ceramic cartridges are high quality but do fail. Diagnosis and replacement is straightforward with the right part number.· 45–90 minutes
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Hansgrohe Tap Problems (Metris, Talis — Cartridge Replacement)
Hansgrohe taps use proprietary ceramic disc cartridges. Genuine parts are essential — third-party cartridges often do not seat correctly and cause leaks.· 45–75 minutes
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Hot water goes cold after a short time then hot again
Hot water fluctuates between hot and cold during use· 15 min
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How much does a plumber charge per hour in the UK? (2025)
Current UK plumber hourly rates, call-out charges, and how to get a fair price — regional breakdowns included.· Varies
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How much does it cost to replace a tap in the UK?
UK costs for replacing kitchen and bathroom taps — including monobloc mixer, pillar taps, and what affects the price.· 1–2 hours
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How to fix a dripping tap — replacing the washerFree
Traditional tap dripping at the spout — replace the washer yourself· 30–45 min
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How to replace a ceramic cartridge in a tapFree
Dripping or leaking tap with a ceramic disc cartridge — common in modern monobloc and lever taps· 15–30 min
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How to replace a tap washerFree
Step-by-step guide to fix a dripping traditional tap· 20–40 min
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How to rewasher a dripping pillar tapFree
Traditional pillar tap dripping — replacing the rubber tap washer· 20–40 min
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How to winterise an outside tapFree
Protecting outdoor taps from freezing in winter· 15–30 min
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InSinkErator Boiling Water Tap Problems (3N1 — No Hot Water, Tank Fault)
InSinkErator 3-in-1 taps are common in UK kitchens. Most faults are with the under-sink tank — a straightforward unit that can be diagnosed without specialist tools.· 1–2 hours
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Installing an Outside Tap — DIY Guide
Fitting a new outdoor tap — what's involved, permissions needed, and step by step· 2–4 hrs
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Kitchen tap rocking or loose — how to tighten itFree
Monobloc kitchen mixer tap wobbling or moving at the base· 20–45 min
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Low Pressure from Kitchen Tap OnlyFree
If only the kitchen tap has low pressure — while other outlets in the house are fine — the fault is almost certainly local to the tap or its supply rather than a system-wide pressure problem.· 15–45 minutes
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Low water pressure from one tap onlyFree
Weak flow from a single tap while others are fine — blocked aerator or isolation valve· 10–20 min
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Mixer tap dripping from the spoutFree
Mixer tap constantly drips even when fully turned off· 30–60 min
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Mixer tap leaking around the base
Water leaking underneath or around the body of a mixer tap· 30–60 min
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No hot water at one tap but cold is fine
Isolated hot water loss at a single tap or bathroom· 30 min
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No water coming from a tapFree
Tap turns but nothing comes out· 15–45 min
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Outdoor tap dripping or leakingFree
Outside tap drips from the spout or behind the wall· 30–60 min
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Pull-Out Kitchen Tap Not RetractingFree
Pull-out taps rely on a counterweight or spring on the hose to retract the spray head. If it no longer pulls back, the fix is usually simple.· 20–40 minutes
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Quarter-turn tap won't turn off — ceramic disc cartridge replacementFree
Lever tap or quarter-turn tap dripping or not shutting off fully· 20–40 min
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Quooker Boiling Water Tap Problems (Fusion, Classic)
Most Quooker faults relate to the under-sink tank rather than the tap itself. The tank has a thermostat, heating element, and pressure vessel that can all fail over time.· 1–3 hours depending on fault
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Replacing a Kitchen Tap — Step by Step
How to replace an old kitchen tap with a new one — what's involved and typical costs· 1–3 hrs
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Replacing a mixer tap cartridgeFree
How to replace the ceramic cartridge in a monobloc or single-lever mixer tap· 30–60 min
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Replacing a monobloc mixer tap cartridgeFree
Single-lever kitchen or bathroom mixer tap stiff or leaking· 30–60 min
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Stiff tap that's hard to turnFree
Tap handle is stiff or seized and won't turn easily· 20–45 min
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Tap Handle Has Fallen OffFree
Tap handle detached, loose, or broken — how to refit or replace it· 15–30 min
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Tap handle stiff or hard to turnFree
Why taps become hard to operate and how to free them· 20–45 min
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Tap makes a whistling or squealing noiseFree
High-pitched noise when tap is running· 20–40 min
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Tap making a screeching or squealing noise when turned onFree
High-pitched noise from tap — whistling or screeching as water flows· 20–40 min
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Tap running slowly — blocked aeratorFree
Flow from tap has reduced to a trickle· 10–20 min
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Tap won't turn off fullyFree
Tap keeps running even when turned off — worn washer or cartridge· 20–40 min
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Water Hammer When Closing a Tap
Water hammer is the banging or thudding noise heard when a tap is closed quickly. It is caused by the momentum of moving water being suddenly stopped. Left untreated it can damage pipe joints over time.· 1–3 hours
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