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Leaking tap repair and toilet repairs are the everyday plumbing jobs that are easy to put off, until the drip gets louder or the cistern runs all night. Both waste water and usually get worse with time. SuperFox passes your enquiry to one independent local plumber, who calls you back within 24–48 hours to quote the repair or replacement.
What are the signs a tap or toilet needs a plumber?
Taps:
- Dripping from the spout after the tap is turned off
- Water leaking from around the handle or base
- A handle that’s stiff, loose or spins without stopping the flow
- Banging or shuddering pipes when the tap is turned off quickly
- Low flow from one tap only
Toilets:
- The cistern keeps running or refilling on its own
- A slow or weak flush, or the button sticks
- Water on the floor around the base of the pan
- The cistern takes ages to refill
- A rocking pan, cracks in the porcelain or a persistent smell
A toilet that keeps running can waste a lot of water without you noticing. Our guide to a toilet that keeps running explains the common causes and a simple dye test.
What does the plumber typically do?
Tap repairs. For older-style taps with jumper valves, the plumber replaces the washer and O-rings and may reface or reseat the valve seat if it’s worn. For mixer taps and quarter-turn taps, the plumber usually replaces the ceramic cartridge. If the tap body is corroded or parts are no longer available, the plumber will quote a new tap.
Tap replacement. The plumber removes the old tap, checks the isolation valves and connections, installs the new tapware and tests for leaks. Kitchen mixers, basin mixers, laundry taps and garden taps are all common.
Toilet repairs. Most running cisterns need a new inlet valve, a flush valve seal or a complete internal kit. Leaks at the base usually mean a failed pan connector or seal. The plumber checks the stop tap and flexible hose too, as these can fail with age.
Toilet replacement. The plumber removes the old suite, checks the waste connection and floor, installs the new pan and cistern, and tests the flush and seals. Some layouts, such as changing from a wall-faced to a back-to-wall pan, need extra work.
| Problem | Common fix |
|---|---|
| Dripping jumper-valve tap | New washer, O-ring, reseat |
| Dripping mixer tap | New ceramic cartridge |
| Corroded or obsolete tap | Tap replacement |
| Cistern running constantly | Inlet valve or flush valve seal |
| Leak at base of toilet | New pan connector or seal |
| Cracked pan or cistern | Toilet replacement |
| Burst flexible hose | Replace hose and check stop tap |
Adelaide specifics
Hard water and scale. In areas where Adelaide’s water is harder, scale builds up in tap cartridges, aerators and cistern valves, causing stiffness, drips and slow refills. Cleaning aerators helps, but worn cartridges and valves need replacing.
Older homes. Character homes in the inner suburbs often have older tapware and toilets where parts can be hard to find. Sometimes replacing the fitting is more practical than chasing parts.
Water pressure. High mains pressure can cause banging pipes and wear out tap washers and cistern valves faster. The plumber can check whether a pressure-limiting valve would help. If pressure is low instead, see our low water pressure guide.
Tank water. On Hills properties using rainwater, a pump that cycles on and off when nothing is running can point to a leaking tap or cistern. See rainwater tank pumps.
What can you do before the plumber arrives?
- Turn off the isolation valve under the sink or behind the toilet to stop a leak.
- If there’s no isolation valve, turn off the water at the main, usually at the meter.
- Clean a blocked tap aerator by unscrewing it and rinsing out debris.
- Don’t overtighten a dripping tap. It wears the washer and seat faster.
If the toilet is blocked rather than leaking, see blocked drains.
What affects the price of tap and toilet repairs?
The plumber quotes before starting. The main factors are:
| Factor | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Repair or replace | Parts for a repair cost less than new tapware or a new suite |
| Tapware and suite choice | Products vary widely in price and features |
| Parts availability | Obsolete taps and cisterns may need replacing |
| Access | Wall-mounted mixers and concealed cisterns take longer |
| Number of jobs | Bundling several small jobs into one visit is often more efficient |
Make a list of every dripping tap and running cistern in the house before the plumber calls back.
SA rules and what to ask
Plumbing work in South Australia must be done by a licensed plumber, and you can check a licence on the Consumer and Business Services (CBS) public register. Changing a tap washer doesn’t need a certificate of compliance, but some fixture replacements and new connections can. Ask:
- Can the tap or cistern be repaired, or is replacement better value?
- Does this job need a certificate of compliance?
- What manufacturer’s warranty comes with the new tapware or toilet suite?
- Should I add isolation valves while you’re here?
If you think water is leaking somewhere you can’t see, our water leak detection page explains how hidden leaks are found.
Getting it sorted
Send one enquiry through the contact form or call 08 6800 6079, and one local plumber will call you back within 24–48 hours to quote. See all plumbing services on our Adelaide plumber page.