How to Fix a Leaking Tap in 6 Steps
If you've ever been kept awake by the constant dripping of a leaky tap, you'll know just how frustrating it can be. It's certainly a common problem many homeowners face, so knowing how to fix a leaking tap will save you time, money and frustration.
And that constant dripping, while we’re at it? It’s not just an annoyance; it’s also wasting water and increasing your bills. The good news is most leaking taps are caused by simple things like a worn rubber washer, an O-ring or mineral build-up. Even better? You can often fix each of these with a few tools and some know how.
Whether you’re dealing with a leaking kitchen tap or one in the bathroom, this will walk you through easy step-by-step instructions to stop the problem and get the water flowing again.
Common Causes of a Leaking Tap
Knowing the common causes of a leaking tap will help you diagnose and fix it quickly. As we mentioned, most tap leaks are due to wear and tear on specific parts or debris build-up. Here are the most common culprits:
- Worn tap washers – These rubber washers can wear out over time and cause leaks.
- Damaged O-rings – The O-ring forms a seal inside the tap. If it’s worn out, it will drip.
- Mineral buildup – Hard water can leave mineral deposits on the tap seat. This will affect water flow and cause leaks.
- Loose or damaged valve seat – If the valve seat is corroded or damaged it will leak.
A good examination of these internal components will often find the problem, helping you to prevent further leaks and water damage. With that in mind, let’s now look at how to fix a leaking tap, step by step.
1. Turn Off the Water
The first all-important step before you start fixing tap leaks is to shut off the water supply. This will prevent accidents and stop water from flowing while you work on the repair.
First, locate the isolation valve for the tap you’re fixing – you’ll typically find it underneath the sink or basin. Turn the valve clockwise to shut off the water supply. If your tap doesn’t have an isolation valve, you’ll need to turn off the main water supply for your home. This you’ll usually find at the front of the property or near the water meter.
Once you’ve shut the water off, turn the dripping tap on to let any remaining water drain out. This will stop unwanted water leaks during the repair, letting you work without the mess and hassle.
2. Get Your Tools and Parts
Much like with just about anything that we do, preparation counts for a lot when you need to fix a dripping tap. Before you do so, you need to get the right tools and parts. Having everything ready and on hand now will save you time and ultimately make the repair easier.
You’ll need some basic tools like adjustable pliers, a utility knife and needle nose pliers. To fix the tap itself you may need replacement parts like new seat washers, jumper valves or O-rings which you can get at your local hardware store. Don’t forget to use your plumber’s grease to ensure a smooth and watertight seal when reassembling the tap.
Having the correct size replacement washers and parts is key to fixing the leak. With these tools at the ready, you’ll be set to fix your leaking tap for good!
3. Take Apart the Dripping Tap
It probably goes without saying, but disassembling the tap is a critical step in how to fix a leaking tap. Follow these steps carefully so you don’t lose any essential parts along the way:
- Remove the decorative cap or cover plate from the top of the tap handle for easy access to the screw underneath it.
- Use a screwdriver to remove the screw and lift off the tap handle.
- You’ll now see the tap bonnet. Use adjustable pliers to loosen and remove it.
- Once the tap bonnet is off you’ll have access to the tap body and internal parts like the seat washer, O-ring and jumper valve.
- Keep all the parts together for reassembly later.
By following these steps you’ll be able to take apart the tap and get one step closer to fixing your leaking tap.
4. Inspect and Replace the Tap Washer
In most leaking taps, whether in the bathroom or front yard, the most common cause is degradation of the washer attached to the base of the jumper valve. It makes sense, therefore, that inspecting and replacing the tap washer is often the solution to fixing a leaking tap.
Once you’ve taken apart the leaking tap, find the washer attached to the bottom of the tap body. Check for wear and tear. If you notice cracks, thinning or damage, it generally means you need to replace the washer.
If the washer looks worn, grab your needle nose pliers to carefully remove it. But don’t throw it out just yet; you’ll need to take the washer with you to your local hardware store. After all, you want a replacement that is the correct size.
When you swap out the washer, make sure the new one fits snugly to create a watertight seal. This step is critical to stop that annoying dripping tap and get the water flowing back to normal.
5. Clean the Valve Seat and Replace O-Rings
Cleaning the valve seat and replacing O-rings is the next critical step to fix a dripping tap.
Over time the valve seat in most taps can corrode, or it gets covered in leak-causing mineral deposits from hard water. Use a utility knife or a valve seat tool to gently clean away any debris or corrosion. If the valve seat is too damaged you may need to replace it.
Next, inspect the O-rings. These are the small rubber seals around the internal parts of the tap. If they look worn, cracked or stiff it’s time to replace them with new O-rings of the correct size. Like the tap washers, replacing an O-ring will provide a watertight seal. It will prevent future leaks while also getting your tap working smoothly and leak-free now.
6. Reassemble the Tap and Turn On the Water
Now that you’ve replaced the parts, it’s time to reassemble the tap.
Place the new washer and O-rings back in the same position as the old ones. Reattach the tap bonnet and tighten it with your adjustable pliers. Make sure you don’t over-tighten though. Put the tap handle back on, screw it in and replace the decorative cap or cover plate. Now turn the water supply back on.
Slowly turn the tap on, and check for any leaks. Make sure the water flows smoothly and your once-dripping tap drips no more. You did it! You fixed your leaking tap and got the water flowing back to normal.
How About Mixer Taps?
So far, the instructions we’ve provided are more relevant to the traditional separate hot and cold water taps most of us have grown up with. So how do you go about fixing a mixer tap (i.e. the single tap option that provides both hot and cold water)?
Fixing a leaking mixer tap is slightly different from repairing a standard leaking tap. However, you can still handle it yourself with a few simple steps. Here’s what to do:
- Turn off the water supply under the sink to prevent water flowing while you work.
- Take off the tap handle by loosening the small screw often hidden beneath a decorative cap.
- With your adjustable pliers, remove the entire cartridge; this is often the source of mixer tap leaks.
- Examine the cartridge and O-rings for any damage or wear, and replace them if you need to.
- Put the mixer tap back together in the reverse order that you pulled it apart, and turn the water back on to test for leaks.
With these steps, you can fix a leaking mixer tap and restore smooth water flow.
When to Call a Licensed Plumber for Tap Leaks
Sometimes even after following all the steps to fix a dripping tap, the problem persists. If your tap still leaks or terms like “escutcheon cap” and “neoprene seals” leave you less than confident in your ability to complete the job yourself, it’s best to call a licensed plumber.
An experienced, professional plumber has the skills and tools to diagnose and fix the leaking tap problem properly. They’ll also help you to prevent water damage or costly future repairs.
Though repairing a tap is one of the few plumbing tasks an unlicensed DIYer can do, it’s still worth calling in an expert If you have multiple leaky taps or more serious plumbing issues. They’ll no doubt save you time and unnecessary stress. It’s always better to be safe and have a professional do the job especially if you’ve tried everything and the leak won’t go away.
Dripping Taps Be Gone!
Fixing a leaking tap may seem scary at first. However, with the right tools and a bit of time, you can fix this common household problem yourself.
By turning off the water supply, replacing worn-out parts like washers and O-rings, and cleaning the valve seat, you’ll have your tap working smoothly in no time. But if you’ve tried everything and the tap still leaks don’t hesitate to call a licensed plumber to prevent further water damage. A small fix today will save you from bigger plumbing problems down the line.
Now you know how to fix a leaking tap and stop that drip once and for all!
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