Repairing an Annoying Tap Leak is Easy

Every homeowner would agree how annoying a leaky tap could be; the sound made by water leaking from tap day and night can drive you insane. While we know this sound can be very irritating especially at nighttime, we can also agree that in this situation water goes to waste and it can also cost you a lot of money if the issue is not fixed on time. Tap repairs not only help save thousands of liters of water and money but also remove that annoying dripping sound.

Leaky taps are common problems that can be repaired easily even by a layman. Before attempting to repair, there are a few things that need to be considered before you proceed with the repair works:

1. Cut Off Water Supply: Firstly, it is best to turn off the water supply by isolating the inlet valve for the tap and closing it.

2. Determine the Type of Tools Needed: Taps come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and models. Different models may need a different type of tools to be repaired so make sure to use the right tool for the tap repairs in order not to damage the tap.

3. Cover the Sink Hole: This would avoid any loss of screws, washers, or any other small objects that may fall into the drain.

Once you have made sure of the above points, you can proceed with the tap repair. Leaks can be caused due to many reasons. It could be as simple as a loose screw or could need a replacement of the entire mechanism. Most of the time, leaks happen due to a worn-out washer or an O-ring and replacing it would fix it.

Below are The Points to Consider When Trying to Fix a Leak Due to A Worn Out Washer or An O-Ring:

1. The first thing to do is to remove the faceplate of the tap. By using a small screwdriver, you can lift the faceplate to remove the screw and to expose the screw of the knob. Once the screw is removed, the top of the tap can come out easily.

2. Once the top is removed, the headgear assembly is now exposed. Using the right size spanner or a good wrench to remove the headgear will ensure that the headgear does not get damaged. If the headgear is difficult to remove, apply some antirust spray and let it rest for a few minutes and try again. Heating also can help sometimes.

3. Once the headgear is removed, it would reveal the washer and the O-ring. Determine which of these needs to be replaced. While removing the damaged part using the screwdriver you should be careful not to damage anything else. Make sure that the new washer and the O-ring are of the right size for the tap. Once replaced, apply a little grease to the bottom of the washer to ensure a smooth fit and easy tap repairs.

4. Place back the headgear assembly in the right place and tighten the assembly by using the right spanner and make sure to be careful to avoid a wrong fit. Place the tip-top back in position and fasten it with the screw and replace the faceplate to ensure a proper fit.

5. Only once all of the above are done, turn on the water supply to check if the leakage problem is solved.

If the problem still persists, do not try to do anything else on your own as the problem could be in the internal mechanism. Although tap repairs are not very hard to do, there are only a few things that can be done by you. A professional would be the right person to help you better. So call a plumber who can help you further in tap repair if you are confused on how to approach the challenge.