Domakihub Replace a Kitchen Tap Cartridge and Stop the Drip
A straightforward DIY fix that saves a plumber callout and stops wasted water fast.
Reviewed by Domakihub home & decor pros · 2026-06-23 · 5 min read
A dripping kitchen tap is one of the most common complaints in Greek homes, holiday rentals, and hotel kitchens — and in most cases the culprit is a worn cartridge that costs just a few euros to replace. The video above walks through the process clearly, while this guide breaks it down step by step so you can tackle the job with confidence. Whether your property is on Crete, in Athens, or on a busy tourist island, a leaking tap left unattended wastes water and drives up utility bills quickly.
What a tap cartridge does and why it fails
The cartridge is the internal valve mechanism inside your tap that controls the flow and mix of hot and cold water. In single-lever mixer taps — by far the most common type found in modern Greek kitchens — a ceramic disc cartridge opens, closes, and regulates temperature as you move the handle. Over time, hard water mineral deposits, grit, and simple wear cause the ceramic discs to chip or the seals to harden, resulting in a constant drip even when the tap is fully off.
Replacing the cartridge rather than the whole tap is almost always the right call. A genuine replacement cartridge typically costs between 5 and 20 euros, whereas a new mixer tap starts at 40 euros and requires more pipework. For property managers running multiple units, keeping a spare cartridge in the right size on hand eliminates the need for emergency plumber visits altogether.
Before you start: identify your cartridge size
Cartridges are not universal. Most single-lever kitchen mixer taps use a 35 mm or 40 mm ceramic cartridge, but some imported taps take other sizes. The easiest way to identify yours is to remove the old cartridge first and measure its diameter with a ruler, or take it to a plumbing supply shop. In Greece, dedicated plumbing merchants (υδραυλικά) in every city and town carry common sizes and can often match your cartridge on the spot. Online retailers ship throughout Greece within one to two days if you cannot find the part locally.
How to replace a kitchen tap cartridge
- 1
Shut off the water supply
Locate the isolation valves under the sink — there will be one for hot and one for cold. Turn each valve a quarter turn clockwise until the slot in the screw head runs across the pipe, not along it. If there are no isolation valves under this particular tap, close the main stopcock for the property. Open the tap lever fully to release any pressure and drain the residual water from the line before proceeding.
- 2
Remove the tap handle and cap
Lift or prise off the decorative cap on top of the lever — it is usually a small plastic or chrome disc that pops off with a flat screwdriver. Beneath it you will find a retaining screw, typically a Phillips or hex (Allen) head. Remove the screw and pull the lever handle straight up and off. If it resists, wiggle it gently side to side rather than yanking, which can crack plastic components.
- 3
Unscrew the cartridge retaining nut
With the handle removed, you will see the top of the cartridge housing secured by a large collar nut. Use an adjustable spanner or a tap cartridge tool — a basin wrench also works in tight spaces — to turn the nut counter-clockwise and unscrew it. Hold the tap body steady with your other hand to avoid stressing the supply pipes. Once the nut is fully removed, lift the cartridge straight out of the tap body. Note which way the cartridge faces before you remove it, or photograph it with your phone.
- 4
Insert the new cartridge
Take your replacement cartridge — the correct size, matching the orientation of the old one — and lower it squarely into the tap body. Most cartridges have a tab or flat edge that aligns with a groove in the tap body to ensure correct orientation; do not force it if it does not drop in easily. Once seated, refit the retaining nut and tighten it firmly by hand first, then snug it with the spanner. Do not overtighten — ceramic components can crack under excessive torque.
- 5
Reassemble, restore water, and test
Slide the handle back onto the cartridge stem, replace the retaining screw, and press the decorative cap back into place. Slowly reopen the isolation valves under the sink, one at a time, watching for any leaks at the connections as pressure returns. Move the tap lever through its full range — off, cold, mixed, and fully hot — then leave it in the closed position for two minutes to confirm the drip has stopped. If a small drip persists, check that the retaining nut is properly tightened and that the cartridge is fully seated.
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FAQ
- How do I know if it is the cartridge that is causing the drip and not a loose pipe fitting?
- If the tap drips from the spout when the lever is in the closed position, the cartridge is almost certainly the cause. Leaks from under the sink or around the base of the tap body usually indicate a pipe fitting, O-ring, or supply hose issue rather than the cartridge. A quick way to distinguish the two: close the tap fully and watch where the water appears. Spout drip means cartridge; puddle under the sink means fittings.
- Can I replace the cartridge without any plumbing experience?
- Yes, for most single-lever kitchen mixer taps this is one of the more beginner-friendly plumbing jobs available to homeowners. You need only basic tools — a screwdriver, an adjustable spanner, and ideally a basin wrench for tight under-sink access. The key precaution is shutting off the water supply completely before starting and working slowly when removing the retaining nut. If the tap is an unusual brand or the cartridge will not come free, calling a plumber at that point is still far cheaper than a full tap replacement.
- How long does a new cartridge last, and what shortens its life in Greece?
- Under normal residential use a quality ceramic cartridge lasts five to ten years. In Greece, the main factor that shortens cartridge life is hard water: much of the country — including Attica, Crete, and the Aegean islands — has water with high calcium and magnesium content that causes limescale build-up inside the cartridge over time. Installing an inline water filter or descaling the tap annually with a citric-acid solution helps considerably. In rental properties with heavy seasonal use, plan to inspect cartridges every two to three years rather than waiting for the drip to appear.