Tap Replacement in Coventry: Old Leaky Taps Swapped for Modern Chrome

Worn-out, dripping taps are one of the most common plumbing jobs we get called out to here in Coventry, and one of the most satisfying to put right. In this recent job, we replaced a pair of old, leaking basin taps with smart new chrome ones, leaving the customer with a fresh look and a leak-free bathroom.

The Problem

The customer's existing basin taps had reached the end of their life. The chrome had worn and dulled, the handles were tired, and, most importantly, the taps had started to leak. Leaking taps aren't just annoying; left alone, a steady drip wastes water, drives up bills, and can stain or damage the basin over time.

Rather than keep patching up the old units, the customer decided it was time for a proper upgrade.

The Work We Did

The customer supplied their own modern chrome taps, having chosen a style they liked, so our job was to fit them correctly and safely. Our process was straightforward:

• Isolated the water supply to the basin
• Removed the old worn taps and disconnected the existing fittings
• Cleaned up the tap holes ready for the new units
• Fitted the new chrome taps, connected the supplies, and sealed everything properly
• Turned the water back on and tested both taps for leaks and flow

Because the taps were already on site, the job moved quickly. It took just over an hour from start to finish.

The Result

The difference speaks for itself. The dated, leaky taps are gone, replaced with clean, modern chrome taps that look great and work perfectly. No drips, no wobble, and a much fresher feel to the basin. The customer was delighted with the finished result.

Why Taps Start Leaking

A dripping tap is almost always down to one specific worn part rather than a general fault with the whole unit. Older taps use a rubber washer that hardens and perishes over years of use, letting water seep past even when the tap is fully closed. Modern mixer taps use a ceramic disc cartridge instead, which wears more slowly but eventually scores or cracks, causing the same steady drip.

Hard water areas like Coventry make this worse. Limescale builds up on the internal parts of a tap, preventing washers and cartridges from sealing properly and accelerating wear on the moving parts inside. That's why taps in hard water areas often need attention sooner than the manufacturer's expected lifespan would suggest.

Repair or Replace?

If a tap is otherwise in good condition and the leak is a straightforward washer or cartridge issue, a repair is usually the quicker and cheaper fix. We can often sort this on the same visit without needing to replace the whole tap.

Once a tap has been repaired more than once, or the chrome is worn and pitted as well as leaking, replacement tends to make more sense. You get a fresh warranty, a better finish, and one job instead of paying for repeated call-outs on an ageing fitting.

What a Tap Replacement Costs

A straightforward like-for-like tap replacement, where you supply the taps and we fit them, is typically a shorter job costing from £60. If you'd like us to supply the taps as well, pricing depends on the make and style chosen, and we'll always confirm the total cost before starting any work.

Kitchen mixer taps generally take a little longer to fit than basin taps due to more restricted access under the sink, but the principle is the same - isolate, remove, fit, test. Either way, you'll get a fixed price upfront with no surprises on the invoice.

Need a Tap Replaced in Coventry?

Whether it's a single dripping tap, a full set of new basin or kitchen taps, or any other plumbing job around the home, First Call Home Services Coventry is here to help. We're local, reliable, and we get the job done cleanly.