Taps are the plumbing you touch most and think about least, which is why a slow drip becomes background noise within a week. It is not a small waste: a single steadily dripping tap loses over a hundred litres a week, and a dripping hot tap is also losing energy you have already paid to generate.
We repair and replace conventional washer taps, ceramic disc mixers, wall-mounted sets, outdoor bibcocks and concealed shower valves. Where a mixer is beyond economical repair we can supply a like-for-like or upgraded replacement and fit it as part of your kitchen or bathroom plumbing.
Repair before replace
A cartridge or washer is a fraction of the cost of a new mixer, and we always check repairability first.
Hard-water expertise
Scale is the primary killer of taps in Gauteng. We descale and advise on preventing recurrence.
No damaged finishes
Chrome, brushed nickel and matt black finishes are protected during work — no scratched mixers.
Correct pressure matching
Many mixer failures come from pressure imbalance between hot and cold. We diagnose the system, not just the tap.
How tap repairs actually works
Traditional taps use a rubber washer compressed against a brass seat. Both wear. Replacing the washer without reseating the tap gives you a repair that drips again within months, which is why we grind the seat as standard rather than as an extra.
Ceramic disc mixers do not use washers. When they drip, the cartridge has failed, usually from grit or scale between the discs. Cartridges are brand-specific, so we identify the mixer and source the correct part rather than forcing a generic fit that will leak. Where the brand has been discontinued, replacement is often the more sensible economic decision.
Stiff, juddering or noisy taps often point beyond the tap itself. Water hammer when a tap is closed indicates a pressure or arrestor issue, and mixers that run hot and cold unpredictably usually indicate an imbalance between a pressure-reduced hot supply and full-pressure cold. Those are water pressure problems, and no amount of tap work will resolve them.
Common issues we see
- Constant dripping from spout or spindle
- Handles that are stiff, loose or spin freely
- Mixer producing inconsistent temperature
- Leaking at the base or behind the wall plate
- Reduced flow from scaled aerators
- Outdoor taps that leak or have seized entirely
- Water hammer when taps are closed quickly
When to call us immediately
- A tap drips even when firmly closed
- You see water staining on a vanity or cupboard base
- A mixer has become difficult to operate
- Flow from one tap is noticeably weaker than others
- You are refurbishing and want fittings replaced neatly
Our process
What happens after you call
- 1
Isolate and inspect
The fixture is isolated and stripped so the actual failure point can be identified.
- 2
Repair where viable
Washers, seats, cartridges and O-rings are replaced and the tap is descaled.
- 3
Replace where not
Where parts are unavailable or the body is corroded, we supply and fit a suitable replacement.
- 4
System check
Pressure balance and hammer are checked so the underlying cause is not left in place.
Frequently asked questions
Is it cheaper to repair or replace a mixer?
Repair, in most cases — a cartridge is a small fraction of the cost of a new mixer plus installation. Replacement makes sense when the body is corroded or parts are discontinued.
Why does my tap judder or hammer?
That is water hammer, caused by pressure surging when flow stops abruptly. It is usually solved with a pressure-reducing valve or arrestors, not with tap work.
Can you fix taps in a rented property?
Yes, and we invoice landlords or managing agents directly where required, with photographs of the work completed.
How long does a tap repair take?
Most take under an hour. Concealed shower valves and wall-mounted sets can take longer where access is limited.
Do you supply taps and mixers?
We can supply from trade suppliers at competitive rates, or install fittings you have chosen yourself.
Related services
Where we deliver this service
Sandton Emergency Plumbing
Africa's busiest business district, plumbed and protected around the clock.
Midrand Emergency Plumbing
The fastest-growing corridor in Gauteng, served by plumbers who live in it.
Randburg Emergency Plumbing
Established Johannesburg suburbs, ageing pipework, and plumbers who know both.
Centurion Emergency Plumbing
From Irene's smallholdings to Highveld's office parks, covered around the clock.
Need tap repairs today?
We answer every call in person, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week — including public holidays. Emergency plumber dispatched in as little as 20 minutes.