HOW DO YOU FIX A DRIPPING TAP from SMSMAN's blog

HOW DO YOU FIX A DRIPPING TAP

How do you fix a dripping tap is much easier than you think.  Before we get into how to fix this problem that almost all households face.   We will do our best to inform you the reason why if you are experiencing a dripping tap, this should not go unnoticed and fixed as soon as possible.

Did you know that a dripping tap can waste vast amounts of water?  Experts state that single dripping tap from one tap can expel a drip every second.  Wasted water adds up to 21 litres of water per day.  Adding that all up, that is a whole lot of water being wanted per day and can add up to hundreds of pounds extra spending on your water bill per year.

People often confuse the two, however, a leaking tap is one that can spring a leak from any part of the tap, which includes the sprout, the handle or the body. Should you have a dripping tap, however, this normally drips from the sprout (that’s the place where the water comes out for novices like you and me).  Now that we have cleared up the difference, let us get stuck into how to fix this.

Usually two different types of taps or faucets for our 24 hrPlumbers in Leytonstone E11 American neighbours across the pond.  There is the monobloc tap, i.e: one tap with two separate handles for hot and cold mixing.  This can further be broken down into monobloc tap with ceramic cartridges or one with a rubber seal/washer.  Then we have the tap handles that are separate i.e: one for hot and the other for cold.   

Either of the two is considered to be traditional taps.

Let’s Get Started

You are going to need a set of tools to get this drip under control.

Tools Required

These are the most common tools required by you to get started. If you are like the tool enthusiasts, this is the point you go for your tool chest, but for most of us, the list below are the tools required.  Regarding the others and you know who you are, if you don’t have any tools then you have to ask a neighbour.

• Screwdriver
• Adjustable spanner
• Washer or replacement cartridge
• WD40 or an alternative
• Lubricant
• PTFE tape

The first and most important thing to do is to turn your water off.  Want tips on how to turn off your water via an isolation valve, please see our previous blog.  Wouldn’t want to leave this on then we would have a bigger problem on our hands. Since you have now managed to turn off your water supply, remove the defective area that is dripping, which could be either the ceramic discs or the washer.  Sometimes because the area may have been dripping for weeks/months limescale can build up.  Spraying it with WD40 to help loosen the tap parts up.  Wait for a little time to pass, 5 – 10 minutes, before attempting to unscrew the tap parts. At other times, you may need to spray some other lubricant on the area in addition to WD40 to loosen it up.  Leave this for at least 30 minutes longer. Having now managed to remove the defective part,  you will then be able to see what part needs to be replaced. If the defective part is held in by a screw, remove the screw. More than likely it will be a washer or a cartridge that needs to be replaced.

Go ahead and replace the part that needs replacement. Unlike most of us who have never done this before, it will seem a bit overwhelming but hang in there because it is not as bad as it seems and if you have got this far, you are nearly done. All geared up and ready to go but you do not have the replacement part at hand.  Don’t stress, just nip out to your local hardware store and purchase the replacement part.