Fix It Today Plumbing: How to Replace a Faucet Washer in 12 Easy Steps

This is the sound of a dripping tap and a plumbing system that is not functioning properly. Plink...plink...plink... The sound reverberates throughout the day and night, giving you an uneasy feeling. A few drops here and there and a few drips there It won't stop 'drip, drip, drip, dripping' It won't become truly annoying until the drops start falling in a regular pattern. It has the potential to keep you up all night. Alternately, it can ruin the entire day.

After that, the anxiety sets in.

Water is a precious resource that needs to be preserved for future use. If you do nothing to fix the leaking tap, you will experience a little bit of heartache as well as a lot of headaches. As the leak from the faucet gets worse, your water supply is reduced, and your water bill shoots through the roof.

Even if you have no prior experience with plumbing, changing a tap washer typically only requires a few simple tools and very little effort.

How to replace the washer on a tap That is easier to say than to do.

If, however, you read all the way to the end of this article and come to the conclusion that a plumbing job such as replacing a tap washer isn't exactly a stroll in the park, then you probably won't think that "Bob's your uncle." Putting a stop to a dripping faucet is as easy as pie. Instead of trying to fix the leaking tap yourself, you should probably get in touch with a plumber.

What exactly is a washer for a tap?

A tap washer is a small disk that is housed within the tap itself and functions as a seal when the tap is turned off. They do wear out over time, which can lead to leaking faucets. Even though they lack washers, the faucets on your sink are much less likely to spring a leak.

Washers for taps are a product that is subject to general wear and tear. Work on the plumbing, such as the replacement of a washer, should be done every one to two years. Additionally, if your faucets are outdated, upgrading to newer models could help you save money on your monthly water bill.

Changing the washer on a water tap is a useful skill to have, so let's go over the procedure for doing so now.

Step 1 Get your equipment ready.

There's a toolkit in the shed that contains some fundamental items, such as spanners, pliers, and a screwdriver with a flat head, as well as a rag. You are now prepared to begin.

Step 2 Put an end to the flow of water.

Do not, under any circumstances, begin tampering with those pipes until you have first turned off the water supply at the mains. It's possible that simply turning off the isolation valve, which is located on the pipes directly below the problematic basin, won't be enough. You can expect to find the mains in the front yard, close to the water meter, unless you want a monstrous mess on your hands to deal with. Adjust this dial until you are satisfied that the water supply has been effectively cut off.

Step 3 Clear out the conduits.

But even if the mains are turned off, you should still let that leaky faucet run for a while so that you can empty the pipes that lead into it. If it stops immediately, that means you've successfully turned off the mains and are now ready to rumble. If you are working with a tap that produces boiling water, you will additionally be required to turn off the supply at the hot water system. You are now free to continue replacing the older washer without risking further damage.

Step 4 Take off the button that says "tap"

Turn off the water supply to gain access to the faulty washer in the tap. It's possible that the handle of the faucet is attached to the tap by a button that's located on the top of the fixture; this button could also be used to select either "hot" or "cold" water. To remove it, use a screwdriver to pry it off gently if it is round or inset. In that case, you might require a spanner.

Take care not to scratch your kitchen or bathroom sink while removing this, as doing so could result in costly repairs.

Step 5 Take the handle off the door.

Remove the handle from the faucet. It might be as easy as sliding it off or unscrewing it to expose the inner workings of the tap that are hidden underneath, but this will depend on the type of tap you have. Homeowners in Sydney frequently install a wide variety of different kinds of faucets. Depending on the type of tap you have, the washer might be different.

Step 6 Take the tap skirt off the tap.

If you observe a metallic skirt or shroud on the faucet, know that it will be removed soon as well. It's possible that you'll need the pliers at this point because some plumbers will have secured the connections with sealant.

Step 7 Take off the cover of the faucet.

Remove the screw from the tap's body (or headgear), which will expose the plastic or brass jumper that is located inside. For this, you will need either a spanner or a shifter.

Step 8 Take out the nut and washer.

It is essential that you are familiar with your tap, as more contemporary tapware has a tendency to use ceramic cartridges rather than rubber washers. After you have taken off this valve, you will be able to get rid of that annoying rubber tap washer. In the event that it is not within your grasp, a pair of pliers that feature a needle nose can be used in its place. If it's a problem that's common with washers, you might notice a split.

Step 9 Changing out the washer

Since you are now in possession of the worn tap washer, it is time for you to head to the nearest hardware store in order to purchase a new tap washer. If the jumper valve appears to be in good condition, you might be able to get away with only replacing the damaged washer. However, you must ensure that you bring both pieces with you to the shop in order to get the new and appropriate replacement washer.

Step 10 Put it back the way it was.

Now that the washer and the jumper valve have been replaced, it is time to put everything back together again. Utilizing needle nose pliers, carefully slide the new washer onto the stem of the tap. Put the tap bonnet on with the screws, and then use the spanner to make it more secure. After that, reassemble the remaining components of the faucet in the opposite order from which they were removed earlier.

Step 11 Start the water flowing, please.

After everything has been put back together, make sure the tap is completely turned off before turning the water back on at the mains. Once the mains have been turned back on, you should give the tap a few tests to ensure that the leak has been completely fixed. Turn on the water source and let it run for a few minutes to flush away any unwanted debris.

Step 12 Exuberantly celebrate

You have successfully changed the tap washers and prevented the tap from leaking, assuming that everything has gone according to plan. Congratulations, it appears that you are a fairly handy do-it-yourself plumber after all.

Not only are you able to replace the washers in the taps at this time, but you can also replace the drain in the sink.

If you are having problems with your hot water supply, this may be a separate issue.

If you attempted to change the tap washer, but things did not go as planned, there is no need to be too hard on yourself because assistance is on the way.

Fixed Today is the undisputed industry leader when it comes to repairing and replacing leaking taps. We are also able to help with showers that are dripping, shower drains that are clogged, or taps that are noisy or difficult to turn on or off.

We will be able to repair your laundry taps if the damage is not too severe. This will involve replacing washers, cleaning the spindles, replacing the cartridge in mixer taps, and performing a full service. However, any taps that are too old, have rusted, or are damaged will need to be replaced, which is also something that we can do. Because the experts who work on our faucets have quick access to a comprehensive selection of widely used laundry faucets across all categories and manufacturers, we are able to install anything you desire.

Today, all of your plumbing issues in Sydney can be resolved by a skilled and experienced plumbing company. Call our licensed plumber at 1800 349 338 or send us an email right away to get in touch with him.