How much does it cost to fix a leaking tap in Caloundra?

The cost to fix a leaking tap depends on the type of tapware and what needs replacing — a simple washer or O-ring replacement is a quick job, while a damaged seat or ceramic disc cartridge may take a little longer. Jay will give you a clear price before starting work. Getting it fixed is always cheaper than leaving it — a dripping tap can add hundreds to your water bill over a year.

Can I fix a leaking tap myself?

Some basic tap repairs — like replacing a washer on an older-style tap — can be DIY, but only if you know how to turn off the water correctly and have the right parts. Modern mixer taps, concealed tapware and ceramic disc fittings are more complex and are best left to a licensed plumber. Getting it wrong can damage the seat or the cartridge, turning a small fix into a bigger job.

Why is my tap still dripping after I tightened it?

Tightening a leaking tap usually just delays the problem — and can actually damage the seat inside the tap body, making a future repair more complex. The underlying cause is usually a worn washer, a damaged ceramic disc, a failed O-ring, or a pitted seat. A proper repair replaces the faulty component, not just tightens around it.

How much water does a dripping tap waste?

A tap dripping once per second wastes approximately 31 litres per day — that's over 11,000 litres per year from a single tap. At current Sunshine Coast water rates, that represents a real cost on your quarterly water bill. Multiple dripping taps compound the waste significantly.

Leaking Tap Repair — Caloundra & Sunshine Coast

Leaking Tap Repairs

Fix That Dripping Tap — Properly

A dripping tap isn't just annoying — it's expensive. A tap dripping once per second wastes over 11,000 litres of water a year, and that comes straight off your quarterly water bill. Across Caloundra and the Sunshine Coast, Wattle Plumbing & Gas fixes leaking taps fast and does it right — not just a temporary tighten that fails again in three months.

Jay is a QBCC-licensed plumber who carries the most common replacement parts — washers, ceramic cartridges, O-rings and valve seats — meaning most jobs are completed in a single visit.

What's Causing Your Tap to Leak?

Worn Tap Washer

The most common cause in older-style compression taps. The rubber washer hardens and splits over time, allowing water past the seat. Replaced quickly and affordably.

Damaged Ceramic Disc

Modern quarter-turn taps use ceramic discs instead of washers. When cracked or worn, the cartridge needs replacing — not just tightening.

Failed Mixer Cartridge

Single-lever mixer taps use a cartridge that controls both temperature and flow. When it fails, the tap drips from the spout or leaks from the handle base.

Pitted Tap Seat

The metal seat inside the tap body can corrode or pit with age. Even a new washer won't seal against a damaged seat. Jay can regrind or replace the seat.

O-Ring Failure

Leaks around the body or handle of a tap (not the spout) are usually caused by a failed O-ring seal. These degrade with age and with certain water chemicals.

Concealed & Wall-Mounted Taps

Concealed-body and wall-mounted tapware require specialised cartridges and tools. Jay carries a range of replacement parts for common brands.

Why Tightening Doesn't Work

Over-tightening a leaking tap presses the washer or disc harder against the seat — and grinds it down. This makes the eventual repair harder and more expensive. The only real fix is to replace the worn component.

All Types of Tapware Repaired

Kitchen taps — mixers, dual-handle, pull-out and wall-mounted
Bathroom basin taps — mono mixers, pillar taps, ceramic disc
Shower and bath taps — exposed and concealed
Laundry taps — standard and garden hose connections
Outdoor taps — hose bibs and irrigation connections
Commercial and rental property tapware

Areas Serviced

Caloundra · Aura / Caloundra West · Kawana Waters · Maroochydore · Sippy Downs · Buderim · and surrounds

★★★★★

"Had a dripping tap in the kitchen and two in the bathroom. Jay came out, identified the problem on all three, had the parts in his van and fixed them in under an hour. Honest price, no drama."

Michelle T. — Caloundra

Get a Free Leaking Tap Quote

Most leaking taps are a quick fix. Jay will give you a clear price before starting.

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FAQs

Leaking Tap Questions Answered

The cost depends on the type of tapware and the fault — a washer or O-ring replacement is a quick and affordable job, while a damaged cartridge or pitted seat may take slightly longer. Jay will give you a clear price before any work starts. One thing is certain: leaving a dripping tap costs far more in wasted water than getting it fixed.

A basic washer replacement on an older compression tap can be DIY if you know how to shut off the water and source the right parts. But modern mixer taps, ceramic disc tapware and concealed fittings are more complex — getting it wrong can damage the seat and turn a cheap repair into an expensive one. When in doubt, call a licensed plumber.

Tightening a dripping tap doesn't fix the underlying fault — it just applies more force to an already-worn component. It can also score the tap seat, making a future repair harder. The fix is to replace the worn washer, ceramic disc or cartridge, not tighten around it.

A tap dripping once per second wastes about 11,000 litres of water per year. At Sunshine Coast water rates, that's a measurable impact on your bill — and that's from just one tap. Multiple dripping taps in a home add up quickly.

A leak from the handle base (rather than the spout) usually indicates a failed O-ring or packing seal. These are inside the tap body and can't be fixed by tightening the tap head. Jay can replace these seals quickly, usually in a single visit.