In addition to being an annoying noise, a leaking tap can also cause significant water damage. This article will show you how to replace the washer for a leaking tap.
- Turn off the water supply
The first thing you need to do is cancel any water coming through the tap so that it doesn’t come out when you remove the tap handle. It involves turning the water supply off under the sink. There will usually be a tap, or faucet, nearby, which you need to turn clockwise until it stops moving.
- Remove the handle
Now that there is no water coming out of your tap remove the handle from the top of it by unscrewing it. The handle will be held in place with a screw. You can also consider a water bubbler, and it will help save a glass of water in case you need it.
- Remove the tap head
Now that you have removed the handle, you need to remove the tap head using an adjustable wrench or a pair of pliers. Depending on what type of tap it is, there may only be one screw that holds the tap head in place, or you may need to pry it out with an adjustable wrench.
- Remove the O-ring
Now that you have removed the tap head, there will be one or two rubber washers that you should remove. These are the O-rings, and they should screw off reasonably quickly if you grip them firmly and turn them a quarter of a turn in either direction. If you find them stuck, do not use too much force, or the rubber will bend out of shape, and it will not fit back into place properly.
- Replace the washer
Now that you have removed the old O-rings replace them with new ones. Please make sure they are the right size; you can measure them against the tap head or use a ruler. The O-rings may be slightly thicker than standard washers, in which case you will need to use an adjustable wrench to tighten them up, so they fit securely around the tap.
- Reassemble your taps
To reassemble your taps, screw all the parts back together in reverse order to how you took them apart. When screwing the tap head back onto the tap, do not try to get it on by hand; use an adjustable wrench or pliers for extra grip.
- Turn your water supply back on
When you have finished putting all of your taps back together, go where you turned your water off and turn it back on. It may take up to five minutes, during which time your tap will need to prime itself before any water comes through it. Once the tap has primed, check that no leaking is coming from around the washer. If you find that there is still some water seeping out, tighten the tap head a little more and test again.
Conclusion
Replacing your taps can be a reasonably straightforward job, but it is best to call a plumber if you are not confident in your abilities. When replacing the washer with a new one, ensure that all of the rubber has been removed and that only metal is touching metal.