How to Maintain Your Taps and Prevent Leaks

A tap dripping. A shower mixer that no longer centres. A worn washer under the sink you keep putting off fixing. Yet a tap losing 1 litre per hour wastes over 8,000 litres of water a year — and a leak that goes untreated can escalate into serious water damage.

The good news: tap maintenance is simple, inexpensive, and learnable. This article explains how to care for your taps and mixer valves — and when it’s time to call a professional.

Why Fittings Age Faster in Paris

Parisian water is particularly hard (hardness above 30 French degrees in some arrondissements). Limescale gradually builds up on all parts in contact with water: washers, ceramic cartridges, aerators, strainers, and supply hoses.

The result: Parisian fittings age faster than the national average. Signs of wear typically appear after 5 to 8 years on a standard-quality mixer, sometimes sooner in older apartments with lead or cast-iron pipes that add particles to the water.

Preventive Maintenance: 5 Simple Actions

1. Descale Aerators Regularly

The aerator is the small mesh fitting screwed onto the end of the tap spout. It gives a smooth, even flow. Over time, limescale blocks it and the flow reduces. Unscrew it (usually by hand), soak the parts in white vinegar for an hour, rinse and refit. Every 6 months in very hard water areas, once a year otherwise.

2. Clean Shower Heads

Same principle for the shower head. When some jets are blocked or spray sideways, it’s limescale. Unscrew the head, soak in vinegar, scrub with an old toothbrush. If the rubber nozzles are hard and cracking, replace the head — they cost between €15 and €40.

3. Check and Replace Tap Washers

The most common leak comes from a worn washer. On a traditional pillar tap: close the water, unscrew the tap head, replace the washer. Cost: a few cents. On a mixer tap: the ceramic cartridge is accessed by removing the decorative cover and the head screw. Cartridge cost: €10 to €30 depending on the brand.

4. Inspect Supply Hoses

The braided metal hoses under the sink and washbasin are often overlooked. They age and can crack or leak. French insurers recommend replacing them every 10 years. Inspect them visually once a year: bulging, corrosion, or moisture on the metal braid are warning signs not to ignore.

5. Lubricate Moving Parts

A tap or mixer that becomes stiff should never be forced — you risk cracking the cartridge. On some models it is possible to access the cartridge and apply a small amount of silicone grease. If the stiffness persists, replacing the cartridge is the simplest and cheapest fix.

Tap Leaks: Which to Ignore, Which to Fix

Leak at the Spout (Drip)

Never ignore this. Even a slight drip represents significant water loss and can worsen. Likely cause: worn washer or cartridge. Solution: replace the washer or cartridge. Difficulty: easy to moderate depending on the model.

Leak at the Base of the Tap

Water seeping around the base of the tap onto the worktop. Likely cause: rose seal or loose fitting. Solution: tighten or replace the seal. If it comes from the hose connection, change the hose washer.

Leak Under the Sink

Toilet Cistern Leak

The sound of water running continuously in the toilet indicates a cistern leak. Most common cause: the float valve washer or the fill valve. Simple replacement (a few euros in parts) but requires knowing how to dismantle the mechanism. A plumber does it in under 30 minutes.

Taps: Repair or Replace?

• Fitting under 10 years old, good brand: repair (cartridge, washer)
• Fitting over 10-12 years old, unknown or budget brand: replace
• Fitting that has already been repaired several times: replace
• Irreversible cosmetic damage (oxidation, embedded scale deposits): replace

Replacing a washbasin or kitchen sink mixer tap costs between €50 and €150 supply and fit depending on the range. It’s a worthwhile investment if your fittings are causing repeated problems.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Forcing a stiff tap: you risk cracking the cartridge
• Using acid descaler directly on fittings: it damages chrome and washers
• Over-tightening connections: risk of cracking a thread, especially on PVC
• Ignoring a minor under-sink leak: prolonged damp encourages mould and can rot cabinets
• Using tape to seal a leak: ineffective and masks a problem that will worsen

When to Call a Plumber for Your Taps

• You can’t shut off the water upstream (valve stuck or inaccessible)
• The leak comes from a fitting embedded in a wall
• The tap is an unfamiliar brand or model
• You’ve tried replacing the cartridge but the leak persists
• The leak is accompanied by a drop in pressure throughout the apartment

Are you looking for plumbing services? Contact us

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