A dripping tap is one of those small annoyances that quietly turns into a real problem. Beyond the constant drip-drip sound, it wastes water around the clock and pushes your water bill up — something no one wants in a country where every drop of tap water is desalinated. How to Fix a Dripping Tap is one of the most useful DIY skills for UAE tenants and homeowners: most drips are caused by a single worn-out part that costs a few dirhams to replace.
This guide walks you through identifying your tap type, gathering the right tools, and fixing the drip step by step. You don’t need plumbing experience — just a little patience and a free half hour.
Quick Answer
A dripping tap is usually caused by a worn washer or O-ring inside the tap. To fix it: turn off the water supply to the tap, plug the sink so you don’t lose small parts, remove the handle, unscrew the valve, and replace the worn washer or cartridge with an identical new one. Reassemble, turn the water back on, and test. If the tap still drips after a fresh washer, the valve seat may be damaged and you’ll need a plumber or a full tap replacement.
Know Your Tap Type First
How to fix a dripping tap depends on what kind of tap you have. Most homes in the UAE have one of these three designs:
| Tap type | How to recognise it | Usual cause of dripping |
|---|---|---|
| Compression tap | Separate hot and cold handles you turn several times | Worn rubber washer |
| Mixer tap | A single lever or knob controlling hot and cold together | Worn cartridge |
| Ceramic disc tap | Handles that only rotate a quarter-turn | Worn O-ring or cracked ceramic disc |
There are several tap valve designs used in homes worldwide, but the three above cover nearly everything you’ll find in UAE apartments and villas. If you’re not sure which type you have, turn the handle: multiple full turns means a compression tap, a short quarter-turn means ceramic disc, and a single lever means a mixer cartridge.
Tools and Materials You’ll Need
- Adjustable wrench (spanner)
- Flat-head and Phillips screwdrivers
- Replacement washer, O-ring, or cartridge (take the old one to the shop to match it exactly)
- Plumber’s tape (PTFE/Teflon tape)
- An old towel or cloth
- A plug or cloth to block the sink drain
You can find replacement washers and cartridges at hardware stores, hypermarkets, and building-material shops across the UAE — a washer typically costs just a few dirhams. Buying a small assorted washer kit is often cheaper than repeated trips to the shop.
How to Fix a Dripping Tap Step by Step
The steps below cover a compression tap — the most common type and the easiest to repair. Mixer taps are covered in the next section.
1. Turn off the water supply
Look under the sink for the small isolation valves on the water pipes and turn them clockwise until they close. If there are no isolation valves, turn off the main water valve for your apartment or villa — in UAE apartments this is usually near the water meter in the corridor or service balcony. Open the tap briefly to release pressure and confirm the water is off before you continue.
2. Plug the drain and protect the sink
Push the plug in or lay a cloth over the drain opening. Tiny screws and washers love to disappear down drains, and this simple step saves a lot of frustration.
3. Remove the handle
Many handles have a small decorative cap hiding a screw — pop it off with a flat-head screwdriver, unscrew it, and lift the handle away. Some handles simply unscrew or lift off. If it’s stiff, wiggle it gently rather than forcing it and cracking the fitting.
4. Unscrew the valve (bonnet)
You’ll see a brass nut (the bonnet) holding the valve in place. Grip the tap body with one hand and loosen the bonnet with your adjustable wrench. Wrap a cloth around the nut first to avoid scratching the chrome finish.
5. Replace the washer
At the bottom of the valve stem you’ll find a small rubber washer, usually held in place by a tiny screw. Remove it, and if you haven’t bought a replacement yet, take it to the hardware shop to match it exactly — size matters here. Fit the new washer in the same position and check the O-rings around the stem too: if they look cracked or flattened, replace those as well.
6. Reassemble and test
Wrap a couple of turns of plumber’s tape around the threads, screw the valve back in, reattach the handle, and turn the water supply back on slowly. Open the tap fully, then close it — the drip should be gone. If the tap still drips, the washer may be the wrong size, or the valve seat itself is worn (see the plumber section below).
How to Fix a Dripping Mixer Tap
Mixer taps don’t use washers — they use a cartridge that controls the flow of hot and cold water. When a mixer tap drips, the cartridge seals have worn out.
After turning off the water and removing the handle, you’ll find the cartridge held in place by a retaining nut. Unscrew it, lift the cartridge out, and take it to a hardware or sanitary-ware shop to buy an identical replacement — cartridges are not universal, so matching the exact model matters. Slide the new cartridge in, tighten the nut, refit the handle, and test. While you’re working under the sink, it’s worth checking whether the drip is the only plumbing issue — our guide on how to check for water leaks walks you through the rest.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
A few easy errors turn a simple repair into a bigger job:
- Overtightening: screwing the valve or handle back on too hard can crack fittings or strip threads — snug is enough.
- Wrong washer size: a washer that’s even slightly too big or too small won’t seal. Always match the old one exactly.
- Forgetting plumber’s tape: skipping it on the threads invites slow leaks at the joints you just reassembled.
- Losing small parts: work over the plugged sink, and lay parts out in the order you removed them so reassembly is straightforward.
When to Call a Plumber in the UAE (and What It Costs)
DIY works for most drips, but call a professional if:
- The tap still drips after a new washer or cartridge
- The valve seat inside the tap body is corroded or scored (reseating it needs specialist tools)
- The tap body itself is cracked
- Water is leaking from inside the wall or under the floor — that may be a hidden water leak, not a tap problem at all
- You rent and your tenancy contract makes plumbing the landlord’s responsibility — check your contract before spending money
A plumber or handyman visit in the UAE typically costs AED 100–250 for a basic call-out, with parts extra — always agree the price before any work starts. If hired work turns out faulty, the UAE’s consumer protection laws give you the right to complain and ask for the problem to be put right. And if a leak has already damaged cabinets or flooring, check the UAE home insurance guide to see whether water damage is covered by your policy.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why does my tap keep dripping after I replaced the washer?
Either the washer is the wrong size, the valve seat is worn or corroded, or there’s grit trapped under the washer. Take the valve apart again, clean the seat, and double-check the washer size. If the seat is pitted or rough, it needs reseating or a plumber.
How much water does a dripping tap waste?
A tap dripping once per second can waste several litres a day, adding up to thousands of litres over a year — and a steady stream wastes far more. In the UAE, that shows up directly on your water bill, so a quick repair pays for itself fast.
Can I fix a dripping tap if I rent my home?
Minor maintenance like a washer replacement is often the tenant’s responsibility under UAE tenancy norms, but it varies by contract. Check your tenancy agreement first — some landlords cover all plumbing. Keep the receipt either way.
Do I need to turn off the whole building’s water?
No — only your own supply. Most UAE apartments and villas have isolation valves under the sink or a main valve near the water meter. Never touch valves that serve other units.
Should I replace the whole tap instead of repairing it?
If the tap is old, heavily corroded, or needs repeated repairs, replacing the whole tap is often cheaper in the long run. A basic new tap costs little more than a couple of plumber visits. Add tap checks to your basic home maintenance checklist so you catch wear before it starts dripping.
The Bottom Line
A dripping tap is almost always a worn washer or cartridge — a cheap part and a half-hour job. Turn off the water, match the old part exactly, and reassemble carefully. If the drip survives a fresh washer, stop guessing and call a plumber before a small drip turns into water damage.
Last Updated: 8 October 2026
About the author: Zaviyar Sultan is a UAE-focused writer at Paxi, covering driving, visas, banking, insurance and everyday UAE life. His guides are researched from official UAE government and regulator sources and updated regularly.
Paxi is an independent informational website, not affiliated with the UAE government or any agency mentioned; content is general information only, not legal, immigration or financial advice; verify critical details with official sources before acting.