A bathroom tap leaking from the spout is usually fixed by turning the water off at the isolation valve and replacing the worn washer or O-ring. If water is coming from the wall, from a pipe or from under the vanity, you need a licensed plumber.
This guide covers a leaking bath tap and basin tap alike: three safe fixes, the likely causes, what to avoid and what a Sydney plumber charges when the fault goes beyond a washer.
Key points
- Fastest fix: shut off the water at the isolation valve, then replace the worn washer or O-ring inside the tap.
- Most common cause: a perished washer or O-ring that no longer seals, often after years of hard use in a busy family bathroom.
- Do not overtighten the tap or force a seized spindle, because that scores the seat and turns a cheap repair into a replacement.
- Call a licensed plumber if water leaks from pipes or the wall, or if the tap keeps dripping after a new washer.
What you need to fix a bathroom tap leaking
Everything on this list is low cost and available from a hardware store, so you can try the first fix today.
- An adjustable spanner and a screwdriver to remove the handle, the cover and the tap body without chewing the chrome.
- A towel or cloth to wrap the spanner jaws and protect the finish from scratches and marks.
- A washer and O-ring kit that matches your tap; take the old parts to the shop so the sizes match exactly.
- Plumber’s tape and silicone-based tap grease to reseal threads and lubricate moving parts as you rebuild the tap.
- A small bowl and a torch to catch residual water and see inside the tap body and the valve seat.
- A plug for the basin or bath, because a dropped screw or washer disappears down the drain in a second.
3 ways to fix a bathroom tap leaking
Work through the methods in order, from easiest to most involved, and stop as soon as the drip stops. You are allowed to change a tap washer yourself, but anything involving the pipes behind the wall is licensed work.
Replace the washer
- Turn off the isolation valve under the basin, or the mains if the tap has none, so no water reaches the tap.
- Open the tap fully to drain the line and release pressure before you take anything apart.
- Remove the handle and cover, then unscrew the tap body with a cloth-wrapped spanner.
- Swap the old washer for a matching new one, rebuild the tap and turn the water on slowly to test.
Replace the O-ring on the spindle
- Isolate the water supply and open the tap to drain it, so the spindle comes out dry.
- Remove the handle and lift out the spindle, noting how the parts sit so you can refit them in order.
- Roll the worn O-ring off the spindle and fit a new one, adding a light smear of tap grease.
- Reassemble, then turn the water back on slowly and check the base of the handle for seepage.
Check the seat and the cartridge
- Isolate the water, drain the line and remove the tap body, as in the first method.
- Look at the valve seat with a torch; a pitted or rough seat chews a new washer within weeks.
- If the seat is damaged or a ceramic cartridge is cracked, stop and book a plumber to reseat or replace it.
- Do not file or grind the seat yourself, because poor work leaves a permanent drip and may void the repair.
Our guide to bathroom plumbing diagrams shows where the supply lines run, which helps you find the right isolation valve before you start.
Why a bathroom tap leaking happens
Match the sign you notice to the cause before you buy parts.
| Cause | Sign you’ll notice | Fix | DIY or plumber |
|---|---|---|---|
| Worn washer | Steady drip from the spout when the tap is off | Replace the washer | DIY |
| Perished O-ring | Water around the base of the handle or spindle | Replace the O-ring | DIY |
| Damaged valve seat | Drip returns soon after a new washer | Reseat or replace the tap body | Plumber |
| Cracked ceramic cartridge | Leaking bath tap on a mixer, or a tap that will not shut off | Replace the cartridge or the mixer | Plumber if unsure |
| High water pressure | Drips from several taps, banging pipes | Test pressure and fit a pressure-limiting valve | Plumber |
| Leaking connection under the vanity | Damp cupboard floor or drip from the flexi hose | Replace the hose or connection | Plumber |
| Old galvanised or corroded pipes | Rusty water, weeping joints behind the wall | Pipe repair or replacement | Plumber |
Leaking bath tap: what is different
A leaking bath tap behaves like a basin tap, but a few things change how you handle it.
- Isolation: many baths have no isolation valve, so you may need to shut off the mains, which is why the water meter location matters.
- Wall-mounted spouts: a drip from the wall around the spout can mean a leak behind the tiles, and that needs a licensed plumber.
- Wall-mixer taps: these use a cartridge rather than a washer, so replacing the whole cartridge is usually the fix.
- Hot side: a bath tap leaking only on the hot side may point to a worn hot-side seat, but never touch the hot water system itself.
- Waterproofing: prolonged leaks behind a bath can damage the membrane, so read about bathroom waterproofing membranes if you see damp or lifting tiles.
- Old tapware: chrome spindles and brass seats in older Sydney homes often seize, so a plumber may need to replace the whole tap.
What not to do with a bathroom tap leaking
- Do not overtighten the tap handle to stop a drip, because it crushes the washer and scores the seat faster.
- Do not skip the isolation step; removing a tap under pressure sends water across the bathroom and into the ceiling below.
- Do not use pliers directly on chrome without a cloth, as the jaws leave marks that never polish out.
- Do not ignore a slow drip, since it wastes water, stains the basin or bath and can hide a larger leak.
- Do not cut into walls or pipes yourself; repairs to private water pipes are licensed plumber work.
- Do not paint over or silicone a leaking joint as a fix, because sealant hides the problem and moisture keeps spreading.
When to call a plumber for a bath tap leaking
Sydney Water says homeowners confident with minor work like changing a tap washer can do it themselves, but a licensed plumber is needed for bigger problems and for repairing leaks in private water pipes.
- Water on the floor or a damp vanity cupboard that does not dry out within a day.
- A drip behind the wall or around a wall-mounted spout, which can mean a failed joint inside the cavity.
- A tap that will not shut off even with a new washer, pointing to a damaged seat or cartridge.
- Stained ceilings or walls in the room below, a sign that a leak has been running for some time.
- Corroded or rusty pipes, common with older galvanised pipes in Sydney homes built decades ago.
- Repeat leaks after you have already replaced the washer or O-ring, or any time you are unsure.
Ask the plumber for a Certificate of Compliance when work is finished; it confirms the work meets the Plumbing Code of Australia. If the bathroom needs more than a tap fix, our bathroom rough-in plumbing guide explains what a licensed plumber does behind the walls.
What a plumber charges for a leaking bathroom tap in Sydney
These verified Sydney figures include GST and are from October 2026.
| Charge | Range | Typical |
|---|---|---|
| Leaking tap repair | $80–$260 | $170 |
| Tap replacement | $150–$500 | $330 |
| Call-out fee | $69–$170 | $140 |
| Hourly rate (business hours) | $92–$230 | $140 |
| After-hours hourly rate | $170–$345 | $255 |
| After-hours or emergency visit | $290–$805 | $520 |
If the tap is part of a larger update, the average bathroom renovation cost guide shows how tapware fits into the whole budget.
How to stop a bathroom tap leaking again
- Close taps gently until they stop; hard turning wears washers and seats long before their time.
- Replace washers and O-rings at the first sign of a drip, because early repairs are cheaper than a damaged seat.
- Check under the vanity every few months for damp, and tighten or replace flexi hoses that look swollen or rusty.
- Test your water pressure if several taps drip, as high mains pressure in parts of Sydney shortens the life of every washer.
- Flush limescale and grit from aerators and spouts, and use quality tapware from brands such as Caroma, Methven or Phoenix.
- Keep the wet area sealed; see our shower waterproofing guide and waterproofing bathroom cost page if a slow leak has reached the walls or floor.
Bathroom tap leaking FAQs
How do I fix a leaking bath tap?
Turn off the water supply, open the tap to drain the line, then remove the handle and tap body. Replace the worn washer or O-ring with a matching part and rebuild the tap. If it still drips, or the leak is behind the wall, book a licensed plumber.
Why is my bath tap leaking when it is turned off?
A bath tap leaking when off usually means the washer is worn or the valve seat is damaged. On mixer taps the ceramic cartridge may have cracked. A new washer or cartridge fixes most cases, but a rough seat needs a plumber to reseat or replace the tap.
Can I fix a leaking bathroom tap myself?
Yes, for minor jobs like changing a tap washer or O-ring, as Sydney Water allows. Anything involving private water pipes, leaks in the wall or a seized tap body needs a licensed plumber. Stop and call one if you are unsure at any step.
How much does a leaking bathroom tap cost to repair in Sydney?
A leaking tap repair in Sydney typically runs $80–$260, with $170 as a typical figure, including GST. Replacing the tap costs $150–$500, typically $330. After-hours visits cost more, so ask for an itemised quote before the plumber starts work.
Getting a bathroom tap leaking fixed in Sydney
If the leak is more than a washer, start with the parent guide on whether you need council approval for a bathroom renovation before any bigger changes. Otherwise, TQN Plumber’s licensed Sydney team can find the source, repair or replace the tap and leave you with a Certificate of Compliance. Book a licensed plumber for your bathroom.
