A dripping tap looks harmless, but it runs all day and all night. In Christchurch, where households pay extra for water used above a daily allowance, a tap or a running cistern that never stops is one of the easiest ways to drift over it. A leak under the bench is worse, because it can soak the cabinet floor for weeks before anyone opens the door.
Cheeky's Plumbers repairs and replaces kitchen, bathroom, laundry and outdoor taps across Christchurch, Selwyn and Waimakariri. We identify the tap or mixer model first, carry common parts, and tell you straight whether a repair or a new tap makes more sense.
Pricing: quotes are free, and every job gets a fixed price before we start, so there are no surprises on the invoice.
Tap & Mixer Repairs Jobs We Handle Across Christchurch
- Leaking tap repair
- Fix a dripping tap
- Mixer cartridge replacement
- Outdoor tap repairs
- New tapware installation
- Stiff mixer repairs
Tap problems we fix
The usual suspects:
- Spout dripping after the tap is turned off
- Water leaking around the handle or the base of the mixer
- Handle stiff, loose or hard to turn
- Mixer will not hold a steady temperature
- Low flow from one tap only
- Leaks from the flexible hoses or connections under the bench
- Outdoor taps that drip, will not shut off or split in a frost
Taps and mixers need different fixes
Traditional taps with separate hot and cold handles use either a jumper valve and washer or a ceramic disc headwork. A dripping spout usually means a worn washer or a damaged seat; water around the spindle means a worn O-ring or gland. These are cheap parts and quick to swap. Quick-closing ceramic disc taps and lever mixers can also cause water hammer, the bang in the pipes when they shut off fast.
Single-lever mixers use a cartridge that controls both flow and temperature. When the cartridge wears, the mixer drips, stiffens or wanders between hot and cold. The right cartridge is specific to the brand and model, so we identify it before ordering. We carry common cartridges and source genuine parts for the rest.
How It Works
Outdoor taps and frost
Outdoor taps take the worst of a Christchurch winter. The city averages around 80 ground frost days a year, and in July 2015 the council took more than 100 calls about frozen pipes after temperatures fell to minus 5. Master Plumbers warns that freezing can split pipes and fittings, and the split often only shows once the tap thaws and starts to leak inside the wall or under the house.
We replace split outdoor taps and the pipe behind them, and we can fit an isolating valve inside so the outdoor line can be shut off and drained before winter. Lagging exposed pipe in garages, roof spaces and under floors is cheap insurance against the next cold snap. If a frost has left you with water where it should not be, our leak detection team can trace a split you cannot see.
Repair or replace
We repair when the tap body is sound and parts are available. We suggest replacement when the body is cracked or corroded, parts are discontinued, the finish is failing, or a genuine cartridge costs close to a new mixer. Every new tap sold in New Zealand carries a WELS water efficiency label, so you can pick one that uses less water without losing flow.
While we are there we check the flexible hoses under the bench. Old hoses are a common source of sudden floods, and swapping them during a tap job is quick. We can also fit tapware you have bought yourself, on its own or as part of wider kitchen plumbing work.
Christchurch homes, pressure and water
Plenty of older New Zealand homes were built with low pressure hot water, and some still have it. Mixers designed for mains pressure give poor hot flow on a low pressure system, so if you own an older bungalow in Spreydon or St Albans, we check your tapware suits the system you have. After a mains pressure upgrade, older taps can start to drip because they now sit under more pressure, and a pressure reducing valve can fix that.
Christchurch's water comes from deep aquifers and is now chlorinated across the supply. Scale on a cartridge or aerator still causes stiffness and low flow over time, and cleaning or replacing the aerator is often the first thing we try when a single tap runs slowly.
Pricing
Washer and O-ring jobs sit at the low end. Cartridge replacements depend on the part, and new tapware depends on what you choose. We confirm the price before we start, and if a leak has run up an excess water charge, our itemised invoice is the proof of repair the council asks for when you apply for a remission.
Why Choose Cheeky's Plumbers for Tap & Mixer Repairs
Model identified first
We match the exact cartridge or headwork to your tap, so the repair fits and lasts.
Straight repair or replace advice
If a new tap costs about the same as fixing the old one, we tell you before you spend the money.
Hoses checked while we are there
Flexible hoses under the bench are checked on every tap job and replaced if they show wear.
Frost-proofing on request
We fit isolating valves and lag exposed pipes so outdoor taps survive the winter.
Price agreed before work
You know the cost of parts and labour before we pick up a tool.
Tap & Mixer Repairs FAQs
Why does my tap keep dripping after I turn it off?
On a traditional tap it is usually a worn washer or seat. On a mixer it is usually the cartridge. Both are replaceable without changing the whole tap.
How much does it cost to fix a dripping tap in Christchurch?
Washers and O-rings are at the low end; cartridges and new tapware depend on the part. We confirm the price first.
My outdoor tap split in the frost. Can you fix it?
Yes. We replace the tap and any split pipe behind it, and can fit an isolating valve inside so you can drain the outdoor line before the next winter.
Can a dripping tap affect my water rates?
It can. Christchurch households pay extra for water used above a daily allowance, and a constant drip or running cistern adds up. Fixing it promptly also supports a remission if a leak has pushed you over.
Can you install tapware I bought myself?
Yes. We check it suits your water pressure and hot water system before fitting it.
Should I replace the flexible hoses under my sink?
If they are old, bulging, kinked or rusty, yes. They are a common cause of sudden floods and are quick to replace during a tap job.
Tap & Mixer Repairs Across Christchurch
Our tap & mixer repairs team works in every Christchurch suburb. Find your local plumbers:
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