A tap dripping once a second wastes upwards of 10,000 litres a year. On Maltese water tariffs that is real money quietly leaving through the plughole — and the constant moisture feeds the damp patches and mould that Maltese bathrooms already fight. The good news: a drip is one of plumbing's most fixable faults.
Why taps drip so fast in Malta
Hard water again. Limescale chews through tap washers and scores ceramic cartridge discs faster here than almost anywhere in Europe. A washer that lasts a decade in soft-water countries may fail in three or four years in Malta. Scale also builds on the valve seat — the surface the washer presses against — so a new washer on a scaled seat sometimes keeps dripping.
Know your tap before you start
- Traditional compression taps (separate hot and cold, half-turn or multi-turn handles) use rubber washers. Cheap and DIY-friendly.
- Single-lever mixers use a ceramic cartridge. Fixable at home if you can identify the cartridge model — photograph it and take it to the shop.
- Quarter-turn taps use ceramic discs; usually the whole cartridge gets swapped.
The DIY route
- Close the isolation valve under the sink, or the flat's stop valve if there is none.
- Open the tap fully to drain it.
- Plug the sink — small screws love plugholes.
- Remove the handle and headgear, swap the washer or cartridge, and reassemble.
- Reopen the water slowly and check for leaks around the spindle.
If the drip continues with a new washer, the valve seat is worn or scaled — that needs reseating tools, and it is the point where most people sensibly hand over to a professional.
When calling a plumber is the cheaper option
A plumber in Malta will typically fix a dripping tap for €30 to €80, often as part of a call-out that can cover other small jobs — which is exactly why it pays to batch the small jobs list rather than book one visit per drip. Call a professional straight away when:
- The tap is a designer or built-in model where forcing anything gets expensive.
- Water drips from the base of the tap or under the sink, not the spout — that can be a failing flexible hose, and those flood kitchens when they let go.
- The isolation valve itself is seized, which is common in older stock in Valletta and Ħamrun.
- You have already changed the washer and it still drips.
Describe the tap type and attach a close-up photo when you post the job on Qabbad's plumber page — it lets plumbers bring the right cartridge first time. For context on fair pricing, see the full Malta plumber cost guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a plumber charge to fix a dripping tap in Malta?
Typically €30 to €80 including standard parts. If several taps need attention, ask for one visit covering all of them — the per-tap price drops sharply.
Why does my new washer still drip?
Usually a scaled or scored valve seat. The washer needs a smooth surface to seal against; reseating the tap or replacing the headgear solves it.
Is a dripping tap really worth fixing quickly?
Yes. Beyond the wasted water, constant moisture around fittings feeds mould and corrodes the tap itself. A €5 washer today beats a €150 tap replacement next year.