HOW TO REPLACE A TAP WASHER – If you have a leaking tap it could simply be the washer inside the tap is old and degraded. Changing a tap washer is an easy job that takes very little time and will save you water and money. In this guide below we show you, with practical steps and a video on how to change a tap washer that will stop that dripping tap.
Step 1
Turn the water off from the mains valve. This is generally located in the front of your home. You will see a small round of square hole with a steel plate. Generally your water meter is located inside this as well. If you cannot locate this then have a look under your kitchen sink – there should be a ‘Stop Valve’ that you can turn on and off to cut the water supply.
Step 2
Turn the tap / faucet on so that the water in the pipes drains. Let the water in the pipes drain fully before you start working on your tap / faucet.
Step 3
On the top of the tap / faucet is a cover plate that hides the screw. Use a flat head screwdriver to flip this off and undo the screw that holds the tap / faucet head in place.
Step 4
Take an adjustable spanner and place this on the packing nut. With your other hand hold the tap firmly in place and then loosen the packing nut.
Step 5
Now that the packing nut is loose you can lift the entire tap / faucet head out.
Step 6
Look at the bottom of the tap / faucet stem and you should see the washer. It might be held in place by a small nut, so loosen this and remove the washer.
Step 7
Before you fit a new washer clean any dirt or grime. If there is a build up of limescale then clean this.
Step 8
Make sure the new washer is seated properly and reassemble the tap / faucet.
Step 9
Turn on your mains water supply and test the tap / faucet to make sure it’s no longer leaking or dripping.
