Should you fix taps yourself or call a plumber?

Problems with leaking or malfunctioning taps can be a nuisance as well as potentially expensive. A leaking tap can waste large amounts of water, waste energy if it is leaking hot water, and create damp problems like mould or rotting. There are certainly many tap problems that require a plumber to fix them, but as a homeowner you can save money and even time by knowing when to simply tackle a problem yourself.

When to fix taps yourself

Most common problems with taps can be fixed by anybody with a few simple hand tools. Have a go yourself in these situations.

• If there is still water dripping out of the spout when you turn off the tap, or if you have to turn it off very firmly to stop the flow of water, suspect a worn washer. Another symptom is that the dripping becomes steadily worse over time. Go ahead and replace the washer yourself; this is a simple and very cheap process. To prevent excess wear on your washers, never turn taps off any harder than is required to stop the water
• Worn, sticking or damaged taps can be easily replaced by the home handyperson
• If taps are falling off, they can be easily screwed back on. If this happens frequently, you may need to upgrade to a better quality fitting

These simple tasks to fix taps yourself can be safely carried out at any time, just remember to turn off the water to the house first!

When to call a plumber

There are some tap problems that indicate the need for a plumber.

• If water is leaking from anywhere other than the spout, you may need a plumber. This could indicate a cracked tap, broken pipe, or a poor quality ill fitting tap, and could mean a messy job requiring expertise to repair properly
• Banging or creaking when you turn on taps indicates a problem with the pipes that needs a plumber
• Discoloured water also indicates corroded or damaged pipes and should be checked by a plumber sooner rather than later
• Any other problem that is mysterious in origin, such as lower than usual pressure, no hot water, larger leaks or leaks that begin suddenly mean that it's time to call a plumber.

Call a plumber for any of these situations to ensure that you don't end up with an even worse problem.

Fix the taps yourself or call a plumber?

The most common problems with taps are also the easiest to fix, and you can safely tackle these yourself. If you know the signs of a more serious problem that indicate the need for a plumber, though, doing so will doubtless save you money and hassle in the long run.