Ceramic disc taps vs normal washer taps: what's the difference?
Turn a tap and either it spins several times before the water comes on, or it goes from off to full in a quarter or half turn. That's the difference between a traditional washer tap and a ceramic disc tap. They look similar from the outside but work very differently inside, wear out in different ways and are repaired differently. Here's what you need to know when one starts dripping.
How they work
Washer (jumper valve) taps
Turning the handle screws a rubber washer down onto a brass seat to stop the water. Several turns from off to full. Found in most older homes.
Ceramic disc taps
Two polished ceramic discs inside a cartridge rotate against each other. When the holes line up, water flows. A quarter or half turn from off to full. Common in newer homes and most mixers.
Pros and cons
- Washer taps: cheap and simple to repair with a new washer or jumper. But washers wear, the tap starts dripping, and people over-tighten them, which damages the seat.
- Ceramic disc taps: long-lasting, smooth, and they don't need to be cranked shut. But grit can scratch the discs, and when they leak the whole cartridge is usually replaced. Cartridges are specific to the brand and model.
Why each type drips
- Washer taps drip when the washer is worn or the seat is pitted. A new washer, and sometimes a re-cut seat, fixes it.
- Ceramic taps drip when the discs are scratched by grit or the cartridge seals wear. A new cartridge fixes it, if one is available for that model.
- Either type can leak from under the handle when the spindle seals wear.
See our dripping taps guide.
Changing from one to the other
In many homes, washer tap tops can be swapped for ceramic disc tops without changing the tap body in the wall, giving you quarter-turn operation with no retiling. Whether that's possible depends on the tap body. We'll check yours and give you the options, with a fixed price before any work starts.
In southern Eastern Suburbs homes
Older homes in Matraville, Maroubra and Botany still have plenty of washer taps, while newer homes in Eastgardens and Little Bay mostly have ceramic mixers. Grit from older pipes and high mains pressure shorten the life of both.
Why locals call us
- Local to Matraville and the southern Eastern Suburbs
- Free on-site quotes, with a fixed price before any work starts
- Lifetime labour warranty on our workmanship
- 100+ five-star Google reviews
- Licensed plumbers and gasfitters (Lic. 398171C)
Common questions
How do I know if my tap is ceramic disc or washer?
If it goes from off to full in a quarter or half turn, it's usually ceramic disc. If it takes several turns, it's a washer tap.
Are ceramic disc taps better?
They last longer and are easier to use, but cartridges cost more and are model-specific. Washer taps are cheaper to repair.
Can I change my old taps to ceramic disc without retiling?
Often, yes. Ceramic tap tops can replace washer tops on many existing tap bodies.
Why does my ceramic tap drip?
Usually grit has scratched the discs or a seal has worn. A new cartridge fixes it.
Related help: taps and toilets, dripping taps guide, mixer tap leaking and garden taps. Local pages: taps and toilets Matraville, taps and toilets Maroubra, taps and toilets Eastgardens and taps and toilets Little Bay.