Quick answer: broken kitchen faucet
A kitchen faucet, also called a kitchen tap, usually fails at the cartridge, washer, O-ring, handle screw or base seal. Shut off both supply valves, identify exactly where the water appears, and replace only the failed part. If water is coming from below the sink rather than the faucet body, follow the guide to fixing a leak under the sink.
Broken Kitchen Tap: What Usually Fails?
Why is my kitchen tap dripping?
A dripping kitchen tap usually has a worn cartridge, washer, ceramic disc, or O-ring. The exact part depends on the tap type.
Can you fix a kitchen tap yourself?
Yes, if the shutoff valves work. Turn off the water, remove the handle, identify the cartridge or washer, and replace the worn part.
When should you replace the tap?
Replace it if the body is corroded, the base leaks repeatedly, parts are unavailable, or the handle mechanism is badly worn.
Broken Kitchen Tap: Repair or Replace?
A broken kitchen tap is usually repairable if the body is solid and the leak comes from a washer, cartridge, O-ring, loose base or supply connection. Replacement makes more sense when the tap body is cracked, badly corroded, the finish is failing or parts are unavailable.
A broken kitchen tap, whether it is dripping constantly, leaking at the base, stiff to turn, or giving weak flow, is a daily irritation in the busiest part of the home. Fortunately, most kitchen tap problems come down to a few inexpensive internal parts, and you can usually fix them yourself in well under an hour.
This guide walks through the most common kitchen tap faults and how to fix each one, from replacing a worn cartridge or washer to clearing a clogged aerator and stopping a leak at the base.
Why Kitchen Taps Leak or Stick
Kitchen taps are used constantly, so they wear out in predictable ways. The usual causes are:
- Worn cartridge or washer: Most drips from the spout come from a worn ceramic cartridge (in modern mixer taps) or a perished washer (in traditional taps).
- Failed O-rings: Worn O-rings around the spout or base let water leak out when the tap runs or swivels.
- Clogged aerator: Limescale and debris block the aerator at the spout tip, causing weak or splashing flow.
- Loose fittings: Connections under the sink can work loose and weep over time.
Tools and Materials You Will Need
- Adjustable wrench and spanner
- Screwdrivers
- Replacement cartridge, washer, or O-rings (match your tap)
- White vinegar (for limescale)
- PTFE (plumber’s) tape
- Cloth
- Allen key
Step-by-Step: How to Fix a Kitchen Tap
Step 1: Turn Off the Water Supply
Close the isolation valves under the sink, or the main supply if there are none. Open the tap to drain any remaining water and release the pressure before you start.
Step 2: Clear a Clogged Aerator
For weak or splashing flow, unscrew the aerator from the spout tip, soak it in white vinegar to dissolve limescale, scrub it clean, and refit it. This often restores a smooth, strong stream.
Step 3: Replace the Cartridge or Washer
For a drip from the spout, remove the handle (often via a screw under a small cap or an Allen grub screw), lift out the worn ceramic cartridge or washer, and fit an exact-match replacement.
Step 4: Replace the O-rings
If the tap leaks at the base or when you swivel the spout, lift the spout off and replace the worn O-rings, applying a little plumber’s grease to the new ones for a smooth, watertight seal.
Step 5: Reassemble, Re-tape, and Test
Wrap fresh PTFE tape around any threaded connections, reassemble the tap, turn the water back on slowly, and check both the spout and the base for any remaining leaks.
Pro Tips to Prevent This Problem
- Take the old cartridge, washer, or O-ring to the store to match the exact part, as kitchen taps vary widely.
- Descale the aerator every few months in hard-water areas to keep the flow strong.
- Wrap PTFE tape clockwise around threads so it tightens rather than unravels.
When to Call a Professional
Call a plumber if the tap body itself is cracked, if the connections are corroded and seized, or if you cannot isolate the water supply. Replacing a whole kitchen tap, or dealing with corroded pipework under the sink, can be fiddly and is sometimes best left to a professional.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my kitchen tap dripping?
A drip from the spout is usually a worn ceramic cartridge in a mixer tap or a perished washer in a traditional tap. Replacing this inexpensive part normally stops the drip completely.
Why is the water flow from my kitchen tap weak?
The most common cause is a clogged aerator at the spout tip. Unscrew it, soak it in white vinegar to remove limescale, scrub it clean, and refit it to restore strong flow.
How do I stop my kitchen tap leaking at the base?
A leak at the base or when the spout swivels usually means worn O-rings. Lift the spout off and replace the O-rings, greasing the new ones for a smooth, watertight seal.
Final Thoughts
A broken kitchen tap is usually a quick, satisfying fix once you know which part has worn. Clear the aerator for weak flow, replace the cartridge or washer for a drip, and swap the O-rings for a base leak. With a few cheap parts, some PTFE tape, and half an hour, you can have your kitchen tap running smoothly and leak-free again, no plumber required.
Replacing the tap entirely? See our pick of the best kitchen faucets of 2026.