Why Is My Tap Leaking? Common Causes and Plumbing Solutions
Author : Chillouthome serve | Published On : 07 Sep 2026
A leaking tap may look like a small household problem, but continuous dripping should not be ignored. Water can escape from the spout, handle, base of the tap or the connections underneath the sink. The location of the leak often provides the first clue about what is causing it.
In Cyprus homes, taps in kitchens, bathrooms, utility rooms and outdoor areas are used frequently. Over time, regular use, mineral deposits, worn seals and loose connections can affect the performance of the fitting. Understanding why your tap is leaking can help you identify the problem before it develops into a larger plumbing issue.
Where Can a Tap Leak From?
The first thing to establish is where the water is actually coming from. A tap that drips from the spout has a different likely cause from one that leaks around the handle or underneath the sink.
If water continues coming from the spout after the tap has been turned off, an internal washer, cartridge or valve may no longer be sealing correctly.
Water appearing around the handle can indicate a worn internal seal or cartridge. If moisture is collecting around the base, the mounting seal or connection may need inspection.
A leak underneath the sink may not even originate from the tap itself. Flexible hoses, isolation valves, pipe joints and waste connections can all allow water to escape.
Common Causes of a Leaking Tap
Worn Washers and Seals
Traditional taps commonly use washers or seals to control water flow. These components are exposed to repeated movement every time the tap is opened and closed.
With age and use, a washer can become worn, hardened or damaged. When it no longer creates a proper seal, water may continue to pass through even when the handle is closed.
Replacing the affected washer or seal can sometimes resolve the problem when the rest of the tap remains in good condition.
Damaged Mixer Tap Cartridge
Modern mixer taps usually use a cartridge to control both water flow and temperature. A damaged or worn cartridge can result in dripping, difficulty operating the handle or water escaping around the handle.
Mineral deposits can also affect internal components over time. If the handle becomes unusually stiff or the water does not shut off properly, the cartridge may need to be inspected.
The correct replacement depends on the design and model of the tap, so identifying the fitting before replacing a component is important.
Worn or Damaged O-Rings
O-rings are small sealing components found inside many taps. They help prevent water from escaping between connected parts.
An O-ring can become cracked, flattened or displaced through regular use. When this happens, water may appear around the handle or base of the fitting.
Although an O-ring is a small component, identifying the correct seal and fitting it properly is important for preventing the leak from returning.
Loose Connections
A leaking tap can sometimes be caused by a connection rather than the tap mechanism itself.
Connections underneath a sink may loosen over time. Flexible supply hoses, isolation valves and threaded joints should be checked when water is found beneath the sink.
However, tightening a connection excessively can damage a fitting or seal. The source should be identified before applying force to any plumbing component.
Mineral Deposits
Mineral deposits can gradually accumulate inside plumbing fixtures. These deposits may interfere with cartridges, valves and other moving parts.
A tap affected by deposits may become harder to turn, develop restricted water flow or fail to close properly.
This can be particularly noticeable when a fitting that previously operated smoothly starts becoming stiff or difficult to control.
Why Does My Tap Keep Dripping After It Is Turned Off?
A tap that continues dripping after being closed usually has a problem with its internal sealing mechanism.
The washer, cartridge, valve or seal may be worn, or debris may be preventing the components from closing correctly. Simply turning the handle harder is unlikely to solve the underlying problem and can put additional pressure on the mechanism.
Even a slow drip can represent unnecessary water loss. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency notes that a faucet dripping once per second can waste more than 3,000 gallons of water in a year.
For this reason, a persistent drip is worth investigating rather than leaving it until the tap becomes more difficult to operate.
Why Is Water Coming From Around the Handle?
Water around the handle usually suggests that the problem is within the tap assembly or one of its internal seals.
On a mixer tap, the cartridge may have become worn. In another fitting, an O-ring or other sealing component may have deteriorated.
The exact cause depends on the type of tap. Instead of replacing random parts, it is useful to establish where the water is entering and escaping from the fitting.
Why Is There Water Under My Kitchen Sink?
Finding water inside the cabinet underneath a sink can be confusing because several plumbing components are located in the same area.
The leak may come from the tap supply hose, isolation valve, waste connection, pipe joint or the connection between the tap and the water supply.
Water can also travel along a pipe or surface before collecting at a lower point. This means the location where you notice water is not necessarily the location where the leak started.
A careful inspection can help trace the water back to its source.
How Is a Leaking Tap Checked?
A plumbing inspection normally begins by identifying when and where the leak occurs.
The tap may be checked while it is turned off, during normal operation and around the handle and base. The visible supply connections underneath the sink can also be examined.
If the problem involves a mixer tap, the cartridge and internal components may need to be assessed. For an under-sink leak, the supply hoses, valves, waste pipe and surrounding connections should also be considered.
Once the source is identified, the appropriate repair can be selected.
Repair or Replace the Tap?
Not every leaking tap needs to be replaced.
If the body of the tap is in good condition, replacing a washer, seal, O-ring or cartridge may be enough. A damaged connection may also be repaired without replacing the entire fitting.
Replacement may become more appropriate when the tap has extensive corrosion, a damaged body, repeated internal faults or unavailable replacement components.
The condition of the surrounding plumbing should also be considered. Installing a new tap without checking an existing leaking connection underneath the sink may leave the actual plumbing problem unresolved.
Can a Small Tap Leak Cause Bigger Problems?
A small drip from a tap may mainly result in water waste, but leaks around the base or underneath a sink can cause additional problems if they continue unnoticed.
Moisture can affect cabinets, flooring and nearby materials. A concealed leak may remain unnoticed until staining, dampness or deterioration becomes visible.
Household leaks can have several causes, including worn fixtures, old pipework, corrosion, water pressure issues and incorrect installation.
Finding the source early is therefore useful, particularly when moisture is appearing somewhere other than the tap itself.
Plumbing Support for Leaking Taps in Cyprus
For homeowners in Cyprus, Chillouthome Serve provides plumbing support for common household water problems, including leaking taps, pipe connections, drainage issues and hidden leaks.
The service covers residential properties in areas including Nicosia, Larnaca, Limassol, Protaras and Paralimni. Where a leaking tap is connected to a wider moisture or plumbing problem, further investigation may be needed to establish the source.
A recurring leak should not simply be treated as an isolated drip. Looking at the fitting, connections and surrounding plumbing can help determine whether the problem is limited to one component or part of a wider issue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my tap drip when it is turned off?
A worn washer, cartridge, valve or seal may prevent the tap from closing completely. The internal mechanism should be inspected to identify the specific fault.
Why is my mixer tap leaking around the handle?
A worn cartridge or damaged internal seal can allow water to escape around the handle. The exact cause depends on the tap design.
Why is water collecting under my sink?
The source could be a flexible supply hose, isolation valve, tap connection, waste pipe or another plumbing joint. The water should be traced back to its source.
Can a leaking tap be repaired?
Yes. Many leaks can be addressed by replacing a worn washer, cartridge, O-ring, seal or damaged connection. Severely worn fittings may need replacement.
When should a leaking tap be replaced?
Replacement may be appropriate when the tap body is damaged, heavily corroded, repeatedly develops faults or suitable internal parts are no longer available.
Conclusion
A leaking tap can have several causes, and the visible drip does not always reveal the actual source of the problem. Worn washers, damaged cartridges, deteriorated O-rings, loose connections and mineral deposits can all contribute to leaks.
The most useful first step is to identify where the water is escaping and when the leak occurs. From there, the fitting and surrounding plumbing can be inspected to determine whether a component can be repaired or whether the tap needs replacement.
For homeowners across Cyprus, addressing a leaking tap early can help reduce unnecessary water loss and prevent moisture from affecting the surrounding area.
