There’s nothing more annoying than a leaky tap in your bathroom or kitchen. Not only does the dripping sound drive you crazy when the house is quiet, but the build up of water can be equally as frustrating. Not to mention the waste of water!
If you find yourself in this situation we recommend you call a plumber in your local area (and if you’re in the western suburbs of Melbourne we hope that would be us). But if you want to know how to fix a leaking tap yourself, then look no further.
What causes a dripping tap?
Generally a leaky or dripping tap is caused by a damaged valve seating or more commonly, a worn tap washer. Replacing this normally fixes the problem. Here are some step by step instructions on addressing the issue.
1 – Turn off the water supply to your faucet. This needs to be done at the mains. This will likely be in the front yard (if you live in a house) or inside the bathroom or laundry (if you live in a townhouse or flat). Twist to shut off.
2 – Go back to the tap and turn it on to release any water that’s still in the pipe. Then plug the drain, either with a standard sink plug or even an old rag. The last thing you want is a washer or a screw going down the drain!
3 – Remove the cover of the tap (under where the Hot or Cold labels are) by using a spanner or screwdriver. Undo the screw and remove the handle.
4 – Unscrew the tap bonnet with a spanner or wrench. Take off the headgear, which will reveal the body washer, o-ring and jumper valve. The jumper valve should fall out.
5 – Replace these three items with new parts and apply waterproof lubricant to the spindle and valve for optimal sealing.
6 – Refit the bonnet and spindle, carefully ensuring that you do not over-tighten the nuts.
7 – Using the reverse process, put the tap back together, ensure it’s turned off, and turn the water main back on. Turn the tap on again and test to see if it’s no longer leaking.
Below is a video with more detail, but if you’re unsure about anything (or just don’t want the hassle of fiddling around) please call Red Dog Plumbing for our leaking tap repair services and we will be only too happy to help!
