Tap Replacement & Repair Services in Sligo

A dripping tap might seem like a minor annoyance, but over time it wastes a surprising amount of water and money. A single tap dripping once per second wastes over 10,000 litres of water a year - enough to fill a large swimming pool. Beyond the waste, that constant drip-drip-drip is enough to drive anyone in the household to distraction, and it often indicates a worn component that will only get worse if left unattended.

For homeowners across County Sligo, tap problems are one of the most common plumbing issues we deal with. Whether it is a dripping kitchen tap, a bathroom tap that will not shut off properly, a mixer tap with poor flow, or a need for a brand new outside tap for the garden, our plumbers have the skills and parts to sort it out quickly and affordably.

What We Offer

We handle every type of tap repair and installation you might need in your Sligo home or commercial property:

• Dripping tap repair - The most common fix is replacing the internal washer or ceramic cartridge. We carry a range of common washers and cartridges on the van, so most repairs are done on the spot.
• Stiff or seized taps - Taps that are hard to turn or have seized completely are usually suffering from corroded or calcified internal components. We can often free them up or replace the mechanisms.
• Kitchen tap replacement - Whether you want a simple replacement or an upgrade to a modern mixer tap, pull-out spray tap, or boiling water tap, we supply and fit them.
• Bathroom tap replacement - Basin taps, bath taps, and bathroom mixer taps supplied and fitted to suit your bathroom style.
• Mixer tap installation - Converting from separate hot and cold pillar taps to a single mixer tap. This may require minor pipework modification, which we handle as part of the job.
• Outside tap installation - We install external taps with isolating valves for garden hoses and outdoor use, including frost protection considerations for the Sligo climate.

Understanding Tap Problems

Knowing a little about how taps work helps you understand why they fail and when it is worth calling a plumber:

Traditional pillar taps (separate hot and cold) use a rubber or fibre washer that presses against a brass seat to stop the water flow. Over time, the washer wears down and the tap starts to drip. Replacing the washer is a quick, inexpensive repair that our plumbers carry out regularly across Sligo.

Ceramic disc taps and mixers use a pair of ceramic discs instead of a washer. They are harder-wearing but can still fail - typically when grit from the water supply gets between the discs or when the discs crack. Replacement cartridges are available for most brands.

Monobloc mixer taps are the most popular choice in modern kitchens and bathrooms. They have a single body with one or two handles. Internal cartridges control the flow and temperature. These cartridges are brand-specific, so identifying the correct replacement is important.

If your home has hard water - and some areas of County Sligo do experience limescale - this accelerates wear on internal components and can cause taps to seize or drip sooner than expected.

When to Call a Professional

While changing a tap washer is sometimes presented as a simple DIY task, there are good reasons to call a professional plumber. If you are wondering whether to tackle it yourself, our guide on how to stop a dripping tap explains when DIY is appropriate and when professional help is needed:

• Seized connections - The nuts and fittings under the sink may be corroded or seized after years of exposure to moisture. Forcing them can damage the pipework and cause a leak.
• Incorrect parts - Fitting the wrong washer, cartridge, or O-ring can make the problem worse or cause a new leak. Our plumbers carry a comprehensive stock and know which parts fit which taps.
• Mixer tap conversions - If you are upgrading from pillar taps to a mixer, the pipework may need modifying. This requires plumbing knowledge and the right tools.
• Low water pressure issues - Sometimes a tap problem is actually a pressure problem. We can assess whether the issue is with the tap itself or with your water supply.
• Outside tap installation - This involves drilling through an external wall, connecting to the mains, and installing an isolating valve. In Sligo’s climate, proper frost protection is also essential.

Many older properties in Sligo Town, particularly the period homes around O’Connell Street and the older estates, have plumbing systems that have been modified over the decades. What looks like a simple tap change can sometimes uncover corroded pipework or non-standard connections that need professional attention.

Outside Taps for Sligo Gardens

An outside tap is a practical addition to any Sligo home, especially if you enjoy gardening, need to wash the car, or want to rinse muddy boots and outdoor gear (a common requirement in our part of the world). We install outside taps by connecting to your internal mains water supply and running a pipe through the external wall.

Crucially, we fit an isolating valve on the inside so you can shut off the water supply to the outside tap during winter. This is important in County Sligo, where frost can freeze the water in an exposed external pipe and crack the tap fitting. A quick turn of the isolating valve before the cold weather arrives prevents this problem entirely.

Get Your Taps Sorted

Whether it is a drip that has been annoying you for months or a new tap that needs fitting, call us on 087 341 0745. We provide upfront pricing with no call-out fee, and most tap repairs are completed in a single visit. We serve all of County Sligo - from Sligo Town to Strandhill, Rosses Point to Ballymote and everywhere in between.