Taking these precautions will make changing your tap washer more manageable, save time, and prevent unwanted accidents. Unscrew The Top Plate Of The Tap Now that we have looked at the different types of tap and tap mechanism and also at the different fittings for connecting them to a water supply, it’s now time to actually find out how to fit a tap. Ball Taps were the first type of waterless tap to be developed and are very commonly seen in kitchens. They have a single handle, which moves over and controls a ball-shaped cap directly above the spout’s base. A two hole mixer has tails spaced 100mm apart, a three hole mixer appears to have separate valves and spout but they are linked by a tube below the basin. Monobloc Taps In terms of the actual connection between supply pipe and tap, this will either be a flexi pipe or the copper supply pipe will run all the way up to the tap.

One of the most common plumbing jobs around the home is replacing a worn tap washer to stop a dripping tap, here we show you how to make this a simple job. Then, take the towel (if you followed this step) and plug out of the sink, and turn on the water supply to test the tap. Keep an eye (or ear) on your tap over the next few days, and if you don't notice any dripping, it's likely you've done a successful job of changing your tap washer. Can you change a washer without turning off the water? They also look contemporary and modern in appearance and due to their popularity, are available in a huge range of styles and designs, with options to suit any and all tastes.

Why do Taps Drip?

More information on the types of push fit fitting and how to use them can be found in our project here. What are the Different Types of Tap Mechanism? With the pull out type, the seal or seals are normally one the outside of the stalk that runs down into the tap body. Step 3 – Remove Handle/Headgear: Using a small Philips screwdriver, remove the retaining screw and then grip the handle/headgear and pull it up and off the spindles The washer should be sat under the valve, and it will either be pressed into place or held in position with a nut or a screw. Unscrew the valve, and use a screwdriver to release the washer itself. Then, clean the stem of the tap, before fitting the new washer. Ready to dive into the world of Monobloc Mixer Taps? These modern taps feature ceramic discs instead of traditional rubber washers, ensuring a longer life and smoother operation.

It's important to fix a dripping tap as soon as possible to avoid damage to your home, and even your health. You’ll need an adjustable wrench or a set of fixed wrenches for removing the tap handle and nut, a screwdriver (usually flathead) for taking out the retaining screw, a pair of pliers for gripping small parts, and some plumber’s tape or thread sealant to ensure a watertight connection when reassembling.As you will probably notice from the images, the supply of water is controlled from a single lever (similar to the single lever mixer mentioned above), but as with all other taps, hot is to the far left and cold is to the far right, with a range of temperatures in between, depending on where the lever is positioned. Both rigid and flexi hose connections also come with several different methods of actually making the connection from the supply pipe to the tap. In older taps, when the tap is screwed closed, in the tap body a washer is pushed down on to a hole in the base of the tap that allows the water to flow and closes it off. Over time this washer will wear and allow a tiny amount of water to pass causing a leak.