Tap Repair and Replacement in London: Same-Day Service

In mixer taps, a drip when fully off usually means the cartridge is worn — the internal seal has degraded and no longer closes completely. In older pillar taps (two separate hot and cold), the rubber washer has worn out or the valve seat has become pitted from limescale. London's hard water accelerates both failure modes: limescale deposits on the valve seat prevent a clean seal, and it also degrades rubber washers faster than in soft water areas.

Most tap repairs cost £65–£120 all-in including parts and labour. A washer or ceramic disc replacement is typically £65–£85. Cartridge replacement in a mixer tap is £75–£120 depending on the cartridge type. Tap replacement (fit-only, you supply the tap) is £95–£160. We charge £65–£85/hr labour with a £60 call-out fee waived on jobs over 2 hours — so a 2-hour tap and isolating valve job costs just the hourly rate.

Washer replacement on old pillar taps is genuinely DIY-friendly if you can isolate the water supply and have the right tap washer size. Cartridge replacement on modern mixer taps is also possible, but identifying the correct OEM cartridge — there are hundreds of different types — is often the hard part. The main risk is stripping threads or damaging the tap body while trying to remove a seized cartridge in an old tap. If the tap is over 15 years old, the time/risk calculation often favours calling a plumber.

If the tap is under 10 years old and in good condition, repair is almost always better value. If it's over 15 years old with corroded fittings, replacing it now prevents multiple future call-outs. Ceramic disc mixer taps installed now will last 15–25 years with minimal maintenance. In London rental properties, where access for repairs can be complex, landlords often find it simpler to upgrade to a quality ceramic disc tap once rather than deal with repeated washer calls.

A ceramic disc tap uses two hardened ceramic discs (rather than a rubber washer) that rotate against each other to control water flow. The ceramic material resists limescale deposits far better than rubber. In London's hard water, rubber washers typically last 2–3 years before they need replacing; ceramic discs last 15–25 years. Quarter-turn operation is also more convenient than multi-turn pillar taps. We recommend upgrading to ceramic disc taps on any London property where a rubber washer tap needs its second repair.

Yes. This is a safety-critical issue — if the isolating valve won't close, you can't isolate the tap for future repairs without turning off the mains. We replace faulty isolating valves as a standalone job (£55–£85 inc. parts) or as part of a tap repair. We always test the isolating valve before repairing the tap — if it fails during the repair, we replace it on the same visit.

Simple washer or disc replacements take 30–45 minutes. Cartridge replacement on a mixer tap takes 45–60 minutes (including sourcing the correct cartridge from our van stock). Full tap replacement including disconnecting the old tap and connecting the new one takes 45–90 minutes depending on access. If pipework needs attention (corroded supply connections, new flexi hoses) add 30 minutes.

Yes. Outdoor (garden) tap drips are usually caused by a worn washer (they use simple compression fittings that are easy to repair) or a faulty non-return valve. We also fit new outdoor taps (£95–£150 inc. pipework from the kitchen cold supply) and insulated tap covers for frost protection. In London, outdoor taps rarely need lagging, but the isolating valve inside the house should be turned off in freezing conditions.

Yes, provided the new tap fits your sink's hole configuration (most kitchen sinks have a standard 35mm hole for a monobloc mixer; basin sinks typically have 1 or 2 holes). We can drill additional holes if needed. We always fit new flexible supply hoses when replacing taps — reusing old flexi hoses is a common cause of under-sink leaks after a tap replacement.

We carry common replacement cartridges from the main UK brands (Grohe, Hansgrohe, Bristan, Ideal Standard, Crosswater, Vado) on the van. For less common taps, we identify the cartridge model on-site and order it for next-day delivery. There are some very old or budget taps where the manufacturer has discontinued the cartridge — in these cases, we advise replacement rather than repair.