How to fix a dripping tap
Whether your leaky tap is the reason behind water pooling underneath your sink or the irritating dripping sound that keeps you awake all night, such a nuisance could escalate into a full-blown issue if not tackled early and properly. Luckily, repairing a dripping faucet is economical and simple for the ordinary homeowner. Here are simple steps to fix a dripping tap.
Tools needed
Flat-head screwdriver
Adjustable wrench
Penetrating oil
New replacement washers
Step 1
Turn off the water supply to your tap from the tap handle at the sink and the knob below the sink that regulates the inflowing water from the main line. This helps avoid any serious accidents and injuries related to gushing water.
Step 2
Drain your tap before opening it. Simply turn on the faucet until water ceases flowing from it.
Step 3
Next, take out the tap handle. Use a screwdriver to loosen and pry up the tap handle from the stem. The use of penetrating oil may come in handy in loosening it, letting you remove the tap handle off the stem. From there you will see the stem or the top section of the tap. Take it out as well.
Step 4
Generally, the washer is located underneath the stem and is held in position by a nut. Unscrew the nut and access the old washer. More often than not, a faulty washer is the reason behind dripping or leaking taps. Take out the old rubber washer and replace it with a new one. It's important that your choice of replacement washers fit your tap design and configuration. If you're uncertain about either, examine whether the sides of the stem fit a flat or cone-shaped washer, and buy the suitable type. Additionally, you may opt to go with the old tap washer to your nearby local hardware store to confirm the right size.
Step 5
Now, it's time to reassemble the constituent parts of the tap in the same way that you found them, starting from the washer to the stem, packing nut and tap handle.
Step 6
Slowly turn on the water supply to the tap to check the running water. Turn it on and off a couple of times to check whether your tap is still dripping or not. Nine times out of ten, the dripping problem will be rectified by replacing the faulty washers. If not, it's time to call in a professional plumber.
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