A leaking tap may be aggravating for its owner, who frequently has to try harder to turn the tap off even though the leaking continues to drip. The good news is that there is a simple and effective solution for How to Change Tap Washer; replace your tap washer. Tap washers are small circular discs that are inserted into the tap. The majority of the time, there are two primary components in a tap; the tap washer and the seat. When you switch off the tap, the washer will push against the seat to make a watertight seal, and eventually, water will not flow out of the system. The tap washer does not have an infinite lifespan. Tap washers will wear down over time. The tap washer may fail to form a watertight seal as a result of wear and tear, allowing water to drip through the spout.
Risks of Leaving Your Leaky Tap
Water Wasting
It goes without saying that wasting water is an irresponsible use of a valuable resource – but it can also cost you a lot of money. A dripping tap can consume as much as half a litre per hour, which adds up to 12 litres per day and around 4380 litres a year. If you have a significant leak or several dripping taps, you’ll be wasting money. Some leaking taps can waste up to 5 litres an hour or 120 litres each day!
Expensive Costs
Leaking taps result in wasted water. Every ounce of water that is wasted still gets charged to your water bill. With a leaky tap, your water bill becomes increasingly more expensive. If you have more than one leaky tap, then that’s double the cost because it is two outlets of wasted water.
Grab the tools you’ll need for this job. Luckily, these are all basic tools that you’ll probably find in your toolbox.
- Allen key
- Spanner
- Phillips head screwdriver
- Pipe wrench
Steps To Repair
Carefully follow the instructions listed below:
- Turn off the hot and cold water supply and drain the lines. Look underneath your sink and locate both shutoff valves—they’ll be at the lower end of the 2 flexible water supply lines that connect to the underside of the sink. Turn them clockwise until they are fully closed.
- Now, cover the plughole in the sink with the plug. By doing so, if you drop any screw or tap by mistake, you won’t lose it into the drain. Also, you should place a piece of cloth or an old towel inside the sink; it will help prevent any damage to the sink surface in case you drop a component or tool.
- There are a number of methods to remove the tap handle depending on the kind of tap you have. For example, there may be a tiny plastic cap over the grub screw. The grub screw may also be found at the bottom of the tap, without a cover. If there is a cap, pry it off carefully with a knife or something similar.
- Take out the cover from the tap with a screwdriver to expose the valve. Afterwards, use the spanner to remove the valve. If you realise that the valve is stiff, hold it in place with a wrench, and use a cloth to protect the tap. Now, try to remove it again with the spanner.
- Remove the grub screw with a Hex key once it’s exposed. If there is a retaining screw, you’ll need a Phillips head screwdriver to remove it.
- Some sinks, such as a mixer sink, have a cartridge that should also be replaced to ensure your tap won’t leak. Remove the cap and screws from the cartridge to expose it for cleaning. Remove the cartridge from the body by turning it anti-clockwise with a spanner.
- You will find the tap washer beneath the valve with screws or nuts holding it in place. Use your spanner to remove the washer. But, if the washer is extremely tight, add some penetrating oil around it, leave it to soak for a few seconds, and then try to remove it again with the spanner.
- There is no easy access to the cartridge and washer! If you knew the specific type ahead of time, you may have a new one to fit in its place. But if you don’t know, go to your local hardware store and get the right replacement for the old cartridge and washer
- Finally, replace the cartridge and washer in the tap and reconnect all of the associated components with the correct part. Turn the water valves back on. You’re ready to use your tap again after fixing it!
The Right Time To Call A Professional
If you’ve followed our steps to change your tap washer, but your tap is still leaking; then it’s time to call a professional. We can help finish the job quickly and effectively. Plumbing problems requiring immediate action can come in many forms like burst pipes, blocked drains, and leaking taps. Hence, a team of experienced plumbers in Sydney at Apex plumbing services Sydney acts immediately to rectify the problem to prevent further problems. Our team of professional plumbers is on time every time. Delays in emergency situations can lead to expensive repair costs. Hence, we completely value your time and will repair it as quickly as possible.
Apex Plumbing deals with a wide variety of plumbing issues:
- Toilet Repairs
- Leaking Tap Repairs
- Hot Water Systems
- Leaking Roof Repairs
- Gas Fitting
- Blocked Drain Plumbing
- Rainwater Tank
- Burst Pipe Repairs
- Backflow Prevention
Call Us Today
As a local Plumber in Sydney, we embrace the everyday lifestyle of local people around us and provide them 24 hours & 7 days of emergency plumbing service. We can attend to your leaky tap and fix it in no time. We work efficiently to make sure that we are in and out of your property in no time. Call us today for a free quote. We will be there on time every time!
If you’re having trouble fixing a leaky tap, it’s time to call in the professionals. Apex Plumbing Services offers 24/7 emergency service and can have your taps fixed in no time. We understand that plumbing emergencies can happen at any time, so we’re always here to help. Don’t wait until the problem gets worse – call us today for a free quote!