How to Fix a Dripping Tap

Leaking or dripping taps can be a serious issue in daily life. Not only do they produce an annoying sound, but the leaking can also result in the waste of 3 gallons of water every day! One day, you’ll realise your water bills are rising and what you are paying for is simply going down the drain. Repairs might involve some up-front expenses but will save you money in the long run. If you have some handyman skills, you can probably fix the dripping tap yourself. This blog post is for all of you who wish to fix this maintenance issue on your own.

 

*NOTE: When replacing tap inserts it is of the utmost importance to ensure you have the correct one for your tap. Our advice would be if you are unsure which tap insert you need, remove the old insert from your tap and bring it to either ourselves or your local plumbers merchant so they can order an exact match for you.

 

Types of taps

• Traditional Taps. In traditional water tap types, the dripping is caused by a damaged washer that should be replaced.
• Monobloc lever taps. In a monobloc tap, leaking is probably caused by a damaged ceramic cartridge. Replacement is the ultimate solution.

 

Tools you’ll need

• An adjustable spanner
• A cross-headed screwdriver
• Replacement Cartridge
• Lubricant

 

How to fix a dripping tap

Dripping taps are one of the most common household plumbing issues. Ignoring them will lead to future problems and a huge amount of water loss. Fortunately, the repair is easy if you have the right tools.

• Turn off the water supply. To avoid any further mess, Turn off the water at the stop tap (usually found under the kitchen sink)
• Remove the head. Use a flat-head screwdriver to remove the screw cover from the tap head.
• Remove the insert. Use the adjustable spanner to remove the insert once removed bring it to our trade counter for us to check and buy the same one to replace it.
• Check for any damages. If there is damage, replace the part. If there isn’t, inspect the O-ring and the washer. Loosened or damaged washers and O-rings can also cause leakage, so replace them with new ones. Make sure they are an exact fit
• Re-assemble all the parts and test. Once everything is in place, test if the tap is working properly
• Turn on the water supply

How to replace a ceramic disc tap

Quarter-turn taps are different from conventional ones as they have a cartridge, not traditional tap inserts. A broken ceramic disc can cause the tap to constantly drip and you’ll be forced to replace the whole cartridge.

• Turn off the water supply. To avoid any further mess, Turn off the water at the min stop tap (usually under the kitchen sink)
• Remove the head. Use a flat-head screwdriver to remove the screw cover from the tap head.
• Remove the cartridge. Use the adjustable spanner to remove the cartridge once removed bring it to our trade counter and buy the same one to replace it.
• Re-assemble all the parts and test. Once everything is in place, test if the tap is working properly
• Turn on the water supply

 

Kitchen tap and showerhead leaking

Damaged O-rings are often the cause of a leaking kitchen tap. The valve body includes seals, washers and O-rings. If after changing the old washer the tap is still leaking, check the O-rings. Remember to never over-tighten the taps during daily use. This could easily damage the O-ring and the washer and ultimately cause a leakage.

Takeaways

• To avoid a dripping tap, make sure that you have the right water pressure (around 3bar or 40psi).
• Never over-tighten fittings.
• Be prepared that you may have to fit a completely new tap if the spares aren’t available.
• If you do not feel comfortable fixing a tap yourself, seek the assistance of a professional plumber.