EXPERT ADVICE
Why is my kitchen tap leaking from the base?
Updated 07/26
By: Wendy Reynolds
Reviewed: Alex Peters
A kitchen tap leaking from the base needs to be fixed as soon as possible. Ignoring this problem can lead to water damage and an increase in your water bills.
From DIY fixes to hiring a local plumber, we are sharing everything you need to know about fixing a kitchen tap.
What's actually causing water to leak from the base of your tap
How to confirm the leak is coming from the base and not splashback
A step-by-step way to check and fix it yourself
Why leaks at the base and under the sink need different handling
What it typically costs to get a plumber to sort it
How to stop the leak coming back
A kitchen tap leaking from the base is worth fixing quickly - left alone, it can lead to water damage under the sink and a steadily rising water bill.
The good news is that base leaks usually come down to one of three causes, and all of them are fixable.
This guide covers why kitchen taps leak at the base, how to check what's wrong, and when it makes sense to call in a plumber rather than take the tap apart yourself.
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Why does my kitchen tap leak at the base?
Poor installation
Taps are made up of several small parts, and if any of them - particularly washers and O-rings - are the wrong size or positioned incorrectly, the tap won't be watertight from the start.
Worn O-rings
The O-ring is a circular rubber seal fitted between the tap's spout and the sink. It's what keeps the base watertight, and like any rubber component, it degrades over time. A worn O-ring is one of the single most common causes of a base leak.
A cracked spout
Any damage to the spout, including corrosion-related cracks forming inside it, can let water escape around the base rather than out of the tap opening.
The clearest way to confirm which of these is behind your leak is to have a local plumber take a look, particularly if it's not obvious from a visual check.
How to tell if it's actually leaking from the base
Kitchen taps get splashed regularly during normal use, so a wet base doesn't automatically mean a leak. Here's how to be sure:
Signs of a genuine base leak:
A dripping sound after you've used the tap, with no water visible at the spout itself
Higher water bills - a leak increases water usage, which shows up if you're on a meter
Water pooling at the base more than you'd expect from ordinary splashing
Dry the base completely and place a folded paper towel around it before leaving the tap alone for a few hours. If the towel is wet when you check back, you have a genuine leak rather than residual splash.
If the O-ring and washers turn out to be fine, it may be worth comparing repair against a full tap installation instead, especially on an older tap.
How to fix a kitchen tap leaking from the base
Fixing a leaking tap is often straightforward if you're comfortable taking one apart and putting the small parts back correctly.
A poor DIY attempt can make things worse, so only attempt this if you're confident with the tools involved.
Locate the leak
Dry the base and the area where the tap meets the sink completely, then wrap a paper towel around the base and leave the tap unused.
If the towel is wet afterwards, the base is confirmed as the source.
Inspect the tap
Check the spout for cracks or holes. If it looks intact, look closely at the point where the tap meets the sink instead.
Small holes can sometimes be temporarily sealed with drain tape or plumber's putty, though replacing the tap is usually the better long-term fix.
Dismantle the tap
Turn off the water supply first. Locate the grub screw - this holds the tap together, and its position varies by model, sometimes under the handles, sometimes at the base.
Once found, unscrew it and carefully take the tap apart with a spanner, keeping every washer, valve and small component safe as you go.
Check the parts
Examine the washers for wear - these need periodic replacement to keep the tap watertight. If the washers look fine, the O-ring at the base is the more likely culprit and will need to be cut away and replaced.
Replace the parts
Fit new washers or O-ring, making sure everything is correctly positioned, then reassemble the tap. Turn the water supply back on and test - there should be no further leaking from the base if the repair has worked.
What if the leak is at the base and under the sink?
If water is leaking from both the base of the tap and the pipework underneath the sink, the cause could be one of several things happening at once, including:
Worn valves
A blocked drain
Corroded O-rings
Worn washers or gaskets
Loose fittings
Old, perished drain putty
This combination is harder to diagnose without taking the whole setup apart, and DIY attempts can make it worse rather than better.
It's usually worth bringing in an experienced plumber for this type of leak rather than working through it by trial and error.
Cost of fixing a leaking kitchen tap
The average plumber cost is £50 per hour or £350 per day, though many will quote a flat fee for straightforward repairs like this rather than charging hourly.
Plumber costs in the UK: 2026 price guide
Whether you are planning an exciting renovation or have a troublesome issue, our plumber cost guide contains daily, hourly and emergency rates.
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Fixing a kitchen tap leaking from the base - checklist
Tap leaking checklist
FAQs
This usually points to a worn O-ring or a poorly seated seal at the point where the spout meets the sink, rather than an issue with the internal valve.
Yes, if you're confident dismantling the tap and replacing washers or an O-ring. If the leak involves the pipework underneath the sink too, it's best left to a plumber.
The part itself is inexpensive, but labour costs depend on whether a plumber charges hourly, by the day, or a flat fee for the job - most kitchen tap repairs are quick, straightforward work.
Not always. A worn O-ring or washer can usually be replaced without needing a full tap replacement, unless the spout itself is cracked or the tap is very old.
If you've replaced the washers and O-ring and the leak continues, or if the spout is cracked, it's usually more cost-effective to replace the tap than keep repairing it.
This combination often points to multiple worn parts at once, such as valves, washers and drain putty, rather than a single fault - which is why it's harder to fix with a single DIY repair.
It can contribute, particularly if pressure is pushing water past seals that would otherwise hold. A plumber can check whether pressure is a factor alongside any worn parts.
Most base leaks are a quick job for a plumber, often completed within an hour once the cause is confirmed.
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