How to Stop a Leaking Tap Right Now (Emergency Steps)

Quick answer

1. Find and close the isolation valve under the basin (small flat-bladed valve on the supply pipe) — turn 90° clockwise
2. No isolation valve? Turn off the main water valve at the meter or the house entry
3. Open the leaking tap to drain remaining pressure
4. Put a bucket under any drip in the meantime
5. Call a plumber or fix it yourself when convenient

A leaking tap is rarely an emergency once isolated — book a normal-hours plumber and save R500+ on after-hours fees.

Step 1: Stop the water flow

Option A — isolation valves (90% of homes have these)

Look under the basin or behind the toilet. You'll see one or two small chrome valves on the supply pipes with a flat-bladed slot (some have a small lever).

• Turn the slot 90° so it's perpendicular to the pipe — water is now off
• Open the tap above to confirm
• Both hot and cold need isolating if it's a mixer

Option B — main water valve at the house

Usually one of:

• Under the kitchen sink (in the back corner)
• In the garage near the geyser breaker
• In a service hatch in the wall
• At the water meter at the property boundary

Turn the wheel or lever clockwise until firm. Test by opening a tap — if water still flows, you've turned off the wrong valve.

Option C — water meter at the boundary

Final fallback. Lift the round concrete cover near the property line. Inside is a valve — turn clockwise. This kills water to the entire property.

Step 2: Drain the remaining pressure

• Open the leaking tap fully
• Open the lowest cold tap in the house (usually the outside garden tap)
• Wait 30 seconds for pipes to drain
• Now the leak should stop

Step 3: Temporary fixes while you wait for a plumber

If the leak is from the spout (drip)

A worn washer or cartridge. Won't cause damage. Put a bucket under it and book a normal-hours plumber tomorrow.

If the leak is from the body of the tap (split)

Tap body has cracked — usually from frost or impact. Keep the water isolated and arrange a tap replacement. Until then, that fixture is out of use.

If the leak is from under the basin

The supply line or shutoff valve has failed. Keep water isolated. This is more urgent — call a plumber today. The cost of water damage to a kitchen cupboard makes this worth the call-out fee.

If the leak is from the wall behind the tap

Pipe leak. Keep water isolated. Call a plumber today — wall cavities hold water and you'll have mould within a week.

When it IS an emergency

Call after-hours if:

• You cannot stop the water (valves seized or won't shut)
• Water is actively flooding into a room or down a wall
• Water is reaching electrical outlets

For everything else, book the next morning and save R500–R1,000 on call-out fees.

Cost of a proper fix

• Replace washer / O-ring: R450–R700
• Replace cartridge: R600–R1,200
• Replace whole mixer tap: R800–R1,800
• Replace isolation valve: R650–R1,200
• Repair burst supply line: R900–R2,000

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