Domakihub Fix a Leaky Tap Yourself: No Plumber Required
Stop the drip, save water, and avoid a call-out fee with this straightforward repair guide.
Reviewed by Domakihub home & decor pros · 2026-06-23 · 4 min read
A dripping tap is one of the most common maintenance problems in Greek homes, holiday rentals, and hotels — and one of the easiest to fix without calling a plumber. The video above walks through the repair visually, while this guide lays out the exact steps, parts, and precautions you need. Whether the offending tap is in an Athenian apartment or a Cycladic villa, the process is the same.
Why a Dripping Tap Is Worth Fixing Immediately
A tap that drips once per second wastes roughly 30 litres of water a day — around 11,000 litres a year. In Greece, where water can be scarce on the islands and utility bills reflect consumption, that adds up fast. Holiday rental owners should pay particular attention: a constant drip is one of the most common guest complaints and a quick way to earn a bad review.
The repair cost is almost always under €10 in parts. Leaving it unfixed risks staining the basin or sink, calcifying the seat inside the tap body, and eventually cracking an aged washer that then requires a full tap replacement.
Understanding Your Tap Type Before You Start
Most older taps in Greece — especially in buildings constructed before 2000 — use a traditional compression fitting with a rubber washer and brass seat. Turning the handle compresses the washer against the seat to stop the flow. When the washer wears out, water seeps past and the tap drips. This guide focuses on that style, which remains by far the most common type you will encounter.
Newer mixer taps (single-lever or thermostatic) use a ceramic cartridge instead. The repair principle is similar — identify the cartridge, remove it, replace it — but the disassembly differs slightly. If your tap has a single lever, watch the video linked above; the cartridge swap is demonstrated there clearly.
How to Fix a Leaky Tap: Step by Step
- 1
Turn Off the Water Supply
Locate the isolation valve beneath the sink or basin — a slotted screw on the pipe that you turn 90 degrees with a flat-head screwdriver. If there is no isolation valve, shut off the mains stopcock, usually found under the kitchen sink or in a utility cupboard. Open the tap fully to release pressure and drain any water remaining in the line. Place a towel in the basin to catch drips and protect against dropped parts.
- 2
Remove the Tap Handle
Prise off the decorative cap on top of the handle — it is usually a push-fit plastic disc marked H or C (or red/blue). Beneath it you will find a single screw; remove it with a Phillips or flat-head screwdriver. Lift the handle straight up. If it feels stuck, wiggle it gently — do not force it, as older handles can be bonded by limescale. A short soak with a damp cloth and white vinegar around the base loosens most stubborn handles within five minutes.
- 3
Unscrew the Headgear and Extract the Washer
Use an adjustable spanner to unscrew the headgear — the threaded brass nut that holds the valve assembly into the tap body. Turn anti-clockwise. Once the headgear is out, look at the bottom end: you will see a rubber washer held in place by a small brass nut. Undo that nut, remove the old washer, and note its diameter (common sizes are 12 mm and 15 mm). Take the worn washer to any hardware shop in Greece — known as a "υδραυλικά" store — to match the size exactly.
- 4
Fit the New Washer and Reassemble
Press the new washer firmly onto the valve stem and tighten the retaining nut snugly — firm hand-tight is enough; over-tightening can distort the washer before you even use it. Reinsert the headgear into the tap body and tighten with the spanner. Do not overtighten or you risk cracking the tap body, particularly on older brass fittings that may be brittle. Slide the handle back on, replace the retaining screw, and press the decorative cap back into place.
- 5
Restore Water and Test
Slowly open the isolation valve or turn the mains back on. Let pressure build gradually. With the tap in the closed position, watch the spout for 60 seconds. A properly fitted washer will stop all dripping immediately. If water still seeps, the brass seat inside the tap body may be worn or pitted — in that case, a tap re-seating tool (available at plumbing suppliers) grinds the seat smooth, or it is time to replace the tap altogether. Note the result and, for rental properties, log the repair date for future maintenance records.
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FAQ
- Can I fix a dripping tap without turning off the mains?
- Only if the pipe beneath the sink has a working isolation valve. If that valve seals the flow completely, you can work without touching the mains. Always test the isolation valve first by opening the tap: if water still runs freely after closing the valve, shut off the mains before proceeding.
- Why does my tap drip again soon after I replaced the washer?
- The most likely cause is a worn or pitted brass seat inside the tap body. The washer presses against this seat to create a seal; if the seat is rough or grooved from years of use, it will cut through new washers quickly. A tap re-seating tool — a small grinding tool available at plumbing suppliers — resurfaces the seat in minutes and gives the new washer a clean surface to seal against.
- How often should washers be replaced in holiday rentals in Greece?
- In properties with hard water — which is common across much of mainland Greece and the islands — rubber washers typically last two to four years under regular use. For high-occupancy short-term rentals, an annual check during the low season (October to March) is sensible. Replacing washers proactively as part of a seasonal maintenance visit is far cheaper than an emergency call-out during peak summer.