Quick plumbing question

Retro6 · Saturday at 07:19

I have a basin tap that is leaking at the base. According to my research is that the tap may just need a new O-ring and, or a new rubber washer. The tap is in the off position when it leaks at the base. I have ordered some new O-rings and rubber washers, however I am concerned about the possibility of a cracked spout.

I don't feel there is any point in me taking the tap apart just yet as I've not got the parts so I've just placed a bucket under the sink for now to contain the leak while I wait for the new rubber washers, O-rings to arrive.

Is this likely to be a simple repair or could I be looking at a cracked corroded spout?

Would it be necessary to order a set of new basin taps just encase because I am thinking if it is a cracked corroded spout I will have to replace the tap there and then rather than waiting longer for new taps to arrive with the possibility of a bigger leak after the tap has been dismantled and I can't have the water off while I wait for new taps to arrive?

They are the traditional style but modern taps.

I just want to clarify of what exactly the problem would most likely be with a tap leaking at the base?

Thanks.

fish · Saturday at 07:31

The fibre washer at the base of the tap connecting it to the supply then the o ring. Best move this to home and garden unless you want some comedy gold though.

jpaul · Saturday at 07:44

what do you mean by base ? - you mean where it inserts/bolts into basin , and not near spout/handle/pivot-points if spout rotates ?
if it is base then yes maybe a crack in body, but sounds very unusual,
usually it is just cartridge valve that is failing and letting water into spout

e: and with cartridge, issue is just making sure you have the right one to put in when you have gone to effort of dismantling it , and shops are open in case you didn't;
if basin has isolation valves all much less worrying.

fish · Saturday at 07:57

I mean the tap connector from the incoming supply, where it attaches to the tap, typically this is threaded and it will loosen slightly over the life of the tap. In my experience this is the likeliest place to get a leak, then the tap washer.

Retro6 · Saturday at 11:16

Everything seems to be tight but I'll get a basin wrench on it and see if it is loose. I also have a lot of limescale in the water here.

radderfire · Saturday at 11:55

Might help if you show a pic of where the leak is coming from.

sigma · Saturday at 13:33

In my experience, if it's old then this might be the start of further issues, especially when you disturb things, the wiser move might be to change the tap.

BUDFORCE · Saturday at 15:24

sigma said:
In my experience, if it's old then this might be the start of further issues, especially when you disturb things, the wiser move might be to change the tap.

Yup, by the time you've ****** about taking the old tap off to put in new seals you could just put new ones in.

And put in the Flexi hoses with the isolator on as well if there are not already isolators.

Isolators are gold dust, ideally should have them before everything, then if you develop and issue you can just turn off that one whatever it is, and then there is no immediate rush to get it sorted.

Retro6 · 2025-10-13T18:24:55+0100

I had a look at it today. I took the tap apart but it was all perfectly fine, just a bit of limescale. The pipe that connects to the tap is corroded and no longer creating a water tight seal so I'd still have the same issue if I changed the tap.

The pipe will have to be cut and rejoined with a new bit of pipe. A bit of plumbing tape around the corroded thread may fix it but it only be a matter of time before it leaks again. I will get it sorted. I made the leak better but not completely stopped it.

The other issue is that I can't fully shut the water off so an isolation valve will have to be fitted on that pipe.