Stop the drip: How to change a tap washer in 10 easy steps
A dripping tap can lose up to 2L / hour, 48L / day, 336L / week, water is far too precious to waste so follow the
tips below or call a licenced plumber to properly service all of your household taps.
Step 1:
Make sure you have a new tap washer (one that is the correct size for the tap you are fixing) ,
a shifter, a multi grip tool and some silicone.
Step 2:
Turn off the water at the mains, release water from the pipes at the nearest garden tap
and then at the tap you are changing
Step 3:
Remove the handles and the flange (use the multi grips, if it is a bit tight) scrape away old silicone.
Step 4:
Unscrew the spindle, replace the body washer if it is worn
Step 5:
The brass seat that the tap washer sits on needs to be re-seated back to brand new, a good plumber
would carry a re-seating tool with them and do this if they were changing the washers or you can purchase
a cheap one from the hardware shop (but they may not work as effectively)
Step 6:
Remove the old tap washer and replace it.
Step 7:
Screw the spindle back on make sure the tap off.
Step 8:
Turn on the mains outside and return to the tap you were just working on to check for leaks.
Step 9:
Once you are happy there are no leaks, it is a good idea to re-seal around the spindle with some more silicone,
especially if the tap is in the shower, preventing water damage inside the wall.
Step 10:
Assemble the tap as it was, flange, handle and tighten button with a spanner
Step 11:
Mission accomplished, now check your other taps
For safety: If your hot water is in the ceiling, call a licenced plumber
