How to Fix a Tap That Leaks
How to fix a tap that drips: follow our step-by-step guide. You will find everything you need to know about fixing a leaking tap here, along with the tools and materials you will need.
Why Should I Fix a Tap That Leaks?
A tap that drips is very annoying, especially if you can hear it from other places in the house.
It’s hard to relax in the tub or enjoy a meal when the kitchen tap is always dripping.
This is not only annoying, but it also wastes a lot of water and could make your water costs go up a lot.
Small drops every few seconds or minutes may not seem like a big deal, but if they happen all day, they do add up.
It’s important to fix a leaking tap right away because it could get worse and leak, or it could stop working all together. Also, letting a tap drip can make marks appear.
This is why you should fix your dripping tap right away.
Ways to Fix a Leaky Tap on Your Own
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to fix a tap that leaks:
Step 1: Drain water
Connect your tap to the water supply or turn off the water. Then, turn the tap on to drain all the water out.
Step 2: Remove the tap
First, take off the tap head. Then, use an adjustable wrench or pipe grips to loosen the head gear nut. If it’s tight, put a cloth over the tap to protect it and keep it from turning while you loosen the nut.
Step 3: Remove the head gear
Next, take off the hardware for the head gear. It is held in place by a nut or pressed into place over a small button. The washer fits inside the jumper. If you need to, use an adjustable spanner to unscrew the nut that is keeping the washer in place.
Step 4: New washer
Take out the old washer and push the new one into the jumper.
Step 5: Reassemble the tap
Put the tap back together the same way you took it apart.
Step 6: Turn the water on
Depending on how you turned off the water, turn it back on at either the separation valve or the stopcock.
Step 7: Test
The tap should no longer drip when you test it.
How to Fix a Tap That Leaks
To fix a tap that drips, you will need the following tools:
- Adjustable spanner/pipe grips
- Screwdriver
Tools for safety to fix a dripping tap
When you fix a dripping tap, you won’t need any special safety gear.
Things You Need to Fix a Dripping Tap
Here are the things you will need to fix a tap that is dripping:
- A packet of various-sized-washers
- Cloth
Get ready for a tap repair that drips
Before you fix your dripping tap, look under the sink for an isolated valve. If there is a way to disconnect the tap from the water supply, use a screwdriver or the handle, based on the type the tap has.
If there isn’t a valve, you’ll need to use the stop cock to turn off the water.
Problems with Dripping Taps
Some of the things that could be causing your tap to drip are:
Cartridge filled with dirt
A newly installed tap might have been broken or chipped during installation, which could cause it to drip because dirt is building up on the cartridge.
Loose O ring
If your tap leaks from the main body of the joint, it could be because the O ring is broken or open. This really needs to be changed out at the base of the spout.
Scratched ceramic discs
Ceramic disc cylinders in modern faucets have been shown to stop leaks. However, if they are scratched, the tap will drip and will need to be replaced.
Worn washer
A worn-out washer is another common reason for a dripping tap. This happens when there is steady pressure on the valve seat of the tap. This problem can be fixed by getting a new washer.
Types of Tap
There are various kinds of taps. Here’s a quick look at the five most common types of taps in the UK:
Mixer Taps
This is a classic type of tap made up of two pillar taps joined together. There is only one spout, and this is where the hot and cold water come out.
You can use this to mix the water and get the right temperature for your needs.
Monobloc Taps
These are the kind of faucets that only have one spout for hot and cold water. It is controlled by a handle that can be moved.
The temperature of the water can be changed by moving the lever back and forth.
Pillar Taps
In the UK, pillar taps are one of the most popular types of taps. These are attached to the sink or bathtub and have different faucets for hot and cold water.
Most of the time, they have a handle or some other way to turn the taps on and off. There are a lot of different styles, colours, and shapes of pillar taps.
Wall-Mounted Taps
Taps that are placed on the wall and hang over the washbasin or tub are called wall-mounted. It’s easy to clean these taps, but they need more plumbing.
Also, they are harder to fix because the lines are inside the wall, which makes them harder to get to.
Washer Taps
It’s very simple to put these taps in. They look like pillar taps, but you can turn them on or off by turning the handle.
It has a small washer inside that controls how much water comes out, which is how they got their name.
FAQs
What’s wrong with my tap?
A worn-out screw is the most common reason why a tap leaks. Putting in a new washer will usually fix a tap that is dripping.
But there are other things that could be dripping from your tap, like dirt in the cartridge, a corroded valve seat, or an O ring that is either free or broken.
It is always best to talk to a professional plumber if you aren’t sure how to find the problem.
What should I do if my tap wobbles or spins in the hole?
First, see if your rubber seal is missing. If it is, put it back on. It’s likely that the fitting kit is not tight enough if your rubber seal is still there. Use an adjustable tool to fully tighten the kit.
If my tap splashes, what should I do?
The water pressure is probably too high for this to happen. With a pressure lowering valve or an isolation valve, you can lower the water pressure.
How much does it cost to get new taps?
It will cost between £25 and £150 to get all new taps installed, based on the type of taps you want to use.
How long does it take to fix a tap that leaks?
Fixing a tap that drips is usually pretty easy and only takes an hour or two.
