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Just like any other item in your home, there are times when bathroom fixtures develop faults – including mixer taps. While the functionality and longevity of a bathroom fixture depend on its material quality and usage, even high-quality tap sets can experience leaking issues.
Therefore, regardless of the cost of your bathroom tap set , there’s no guarantee it will last a lifetime. However, it doesn’t mean you have to replace the taps at the first sign of leakage, as it’s often caused by a loose or worn-off washer. This causes a drippy faucet that continues to leak water drop by drop – sometimes even a stream – even though the lever is closed.
While fixing the leaking lever taps is relatively easy, it is, however, recommended to repair them as soon as possible before the tap sustains any more damage. In case you are dealing with the same issue, we have deconstructed the process of changing a tap washer at home. Before we dive into the installation process, let’s find out what is a tap washer and are the common cause of leaking taps and how to prevent it.
What is a Tap Washer?
A tap washer is a small, disc-like device found in the bottom of a tap (faucet). It is essential for regulating the flow of water as it forms a seal between the tap seat and spout. As the tap handle turns off, the washer pushes down to seal off the flow of water and prevent leaks as a result. When activated, the washer raises to let water flow through. Worn-out washers may cause taps to drip or leak, so a timely change is necessary to minimize water wastage.
Why Is Your Tap Dripping? Common Causes of a Leaky Tap
One of the most common plumbing problems a resident face is a dripping tap, which results in wastage of water, higher utility bills and ultimately involves the risk of damaging fittings in the longer run. To properly fix a leak, you need to understand what causes one in the first place.
How Does a Tap Work?
Inside every standard tap, it is the valve seat and the washer that work together in accord to control water flow. When you turn on the tap, the washer pulls away from the valve seat, allowing water to flow through the spout of the tap.
When the tap is switched off, the washer is pressed tightly against the valve seat, forming a watertight seal that prevents water from flowing.
By and large, if any of these internal components might wear down or break, the seal can start to weaken and let water escape, leading to a constant trickle.
Reasons for Taps Dripping or Leaking
There are multiple reasons for taps leaking. Here are the common reasons:
Worn-Out or Damaged Washer
The most common cause of a leaking tap is a broken washer. As you turn on and off the tap, the washer meets water pressure, and so it gets worn out over time. When a washer — a flexible rubber ring — degrades, it does not create a proper seal, and water starts leaking.
Corroded Valve Seat
A valve seat is the metal piece that the washer sits on to form a seal. Mineral deposits from hard water can cause corrosion or pitting on the valve seat that prevents the washer from sealing properly. That creates a slow but steady drizzle from the spout.
Loose or Worn-Out O-Ring
These small rubber rings are in the tap body and serve as an extra seal. Due to the O-ring becoming loose, cracked or worn out, water may leak around the base of the tap (rather than from the spout). This problem tends to occur in mixer taps.
Ceramic Disc Cartridge Damaged (For Mixer Taps)
Unlike traditional taps which use washers, modern mixer taps use ceramic disc cartridges. When a ceramic disc becomes scratched, or cracked, it won’t form a tight seal and water will leak through. Unlike washers, ceramic discs typically involve replacing the entire cartridge as opposed to a small repair.
Over-Tightened Tap
Trying to prevent a tap from dripping, many people overtighten it. But too much force can hurt the washer, bend the valve seat or crack internal components, which will worsen the leak over time.
High Water Pressure
If the water pressure in your home is excessively high, it can push water through the tiniest openings in a tap’s internal parts. This could lead to drips, particularly at night when the demand for water is low and pressure naturally higher.
General Wear and Tear
Just like with most things if you use them a lot, taps wear out. Pieces inside, like washers, rings, and valve seats, won’t last a lifetime, so they need periodic service or replacement to avoid leaks.
Fixing a Dripping Tap
In many cases, a new washer, O-ring, or ceramic cartridge will take care of the problem. If the valve seat is corroded or the tap body has cracked, a complete tap replacement may be necessary. The first step would be to identify the exact cause of the leak before of course doing any repairs.
As we have identified the problems that cause taps to leak, now we will discuss a step-by-step approach to change a washer tap to stop dripping.
Step-by-Step Process of Changing a Washer on a Lever Tap
Before we start detailing the replacement procedure, let's settle the tool and equipment you need to handle the task at home.
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Screwdriver (flat-headed)
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Spanner
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Adjustable wrench
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Washer replacement
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Dry clean cloth
Once you get your hands on the necessary tools, it's to initiate the process:
Preparation
Turning off the water supply lines from the tank is mandatory before you start dismantling the parts of your mixer taps. The idea is to prevent the water from flooding the bathroom when you twist open the fixture from the main line.
If you can't locate the valve controlling the main waterline, you can cut off the supply from the individual wall that's probably located somewhere under the sink. If your mixer tap is connected to an immersion heater or boiler, turn off the flow.
Dismantling the Tap Header
Instead of removing the entire tap from the water lines, you only need to dismantle the tap header. The Lever mixer taps open both ways for hot and cold water, respectively. Try bending the lever to figure out which side has a leaky washer. This will keep you from disintegrating both sides when only one washer is torn off.
As for the removal procedure, start by removing the top cover on the top. You will need a screwdriver for the job. If it feels too tight to budge, use the adjustable wrench to hold the rest of the tap body in place while you exert force. Once you remove the screw, you can easily remove the assembly enabling access to the washer and o rings.
Detaching the O Rings
Since both have relatively similar appearances, people often mistake one for the other. To put it simply, o rings are located at the body of the tap, whereas the washers are found at the base. Given their position, o rings hardly contact with water, so they can be hard to turn. Use a lubricant to smoothen the o rings for convenient removal.
After removing the O-rings, you will have convenient access to the washers, which can be removed by hand. Check to see if the washer is damaged or worn out. In some cases, the washer seat can also be damaged and needs replacement.
Changing the Rubber Washer
If you are unsure about the size of your washer, take the one you just removed as a sample when visiting the hardware store. Both the washer and O-rings should be the appropriate size for optimal performance. After preparing the equipment, apply lubrication to the components and reassemble them in their designated positions using a spanner or wrench. Don't forget to install the headgear back inside as well before you cap it off with a screwdriver. Now relieve the water supply to check if the leakage has stopped.
Final Thoughts
While a leaky tap might feel annoying, if left unfixed, it could cause a lot of water wastage and damage. Each key component really does its job to help taps function, including washers, O-rings, and ceramic cartridges, and by understanding how they work, you can pinpoint and fix leaks before they get worse. Regular maintenance, timely replacements of washers and avoiding excessive force while turning the taps off can significantly prolong the life of your fixtures.
With the step-by-step guide above, you can quickly change a worn-out washer and return your tap to perfect working condition. But if you continue to have problems after changing the washer you might want to look at other parts or call a plumber. So, with one proper care and prompt repairs, you can keep your bathroom tap leak-free and efficient for many years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should a tap washer be replaced?
When a tap washer becomes worn out or damaged, it is unable to create an adequate enough seal, causing constant dripping. Washers can wear out with time due to water pressure and regular usage, which ultimately leads to constant water drip and wastage. Replacing a faulty washer will ensure the tap works properly and doesn't cause further damage to the fixture.
Do lever taps have washers?
Yes, they do! Generally, a typical tap has two major parts. The one that controls water flow (a valve seat) and a tap washer. The washers create a tighter seal to ensure leak prevention once the tap is turned off. As it is opened, the tap washer will pull away from the seat, which causes pressure on water to force it through the hollow tap and out through the spout.
How to prevent a bathroom tap from leaking?
To stop a tap from dripping, you need to maintain it regularly. Periodically inspect the washer, O-rings, and valve seat for wear and replace them before they’ve broken down. Installing quality washers or gaskets will also help ensure a watertight seal. Moreover, do not over-tighten the tap, as too much pressure eventually damages the knee and valve seat. Identify early signs of leakage and fix them in time to prevent soaking damage and water wastage.
Is dripping tap an emergency?
No, a dripping tap is not an emergency. However, it tends to increase over time, which will result in a waste of water. Therefore, you must consider fixing it as soon as possible. There are various ways to stop water leakage from the tap that usually works if the problem has just started. In most cases, you can identify and fix the problem on your own.
Are tap washers universal, or do I need a specific size/type?
Tap washers come in a variety of shapes. They are available in a variety of sizes and materials, so it is essential to obtain the right replacement. If you don’t know the size, bring the old washer with you when you buy a new one, so you make sure it fits. Some modern taps also use ceramic discs rather than rubber washers; in that case you may have to replace the entire cartridge rather than just the washer.
Why is my tap still dripping after replacing the washer?
If replacing the washer doesn't stop a tap from dripping, it can be caused by an incorrectly sized washer, a worn-out O-ring or damage to the valve seat. Make sure that you’ve installed the correct size washer and ensure that it is seated properly. If this does not resolve the issue, examine the valve seat for corrosion or wear.
Can I use a DIY hack instead of replacing the washer?
Temporary solutions like wrapping plumber’s tape or applying sealants might temporarily stop the leak, but they are not permanent fixes. You need to replace a worn-out washer to properly stop the dripping and prevent damage to the tap. If you are not replacing the washer, it can result in wasting water and more expensive repairs down the line.
