The information here is specifically for the Standard Type Tap, with the “Valve and Washer” not the “Mixing” type of tap.

Purchase your tap washers from your local Plumbing Supplies or Hardware store.  A bit of history here, quite a few years ago, you had to use a Leather Washer for Cold, and Fibre Washers for Hot, but that has all changed now, and it one washer does all.  The different brands are much the same, but you can purchase a washer with a built in pressure type system, that holds the washer hard on the seat, excellent value, but more costly.  Follow these steps, should take you about 15 minutes, and then no more drip, drip.

1/ At the front of your property, turn off the valve at the water meter, will be normal type or quarter turn. If you are on a Pressure Pump system in your home, turn off the power to the pump, and close the valve on the tank or on the pump.

2/ The next step is very important, turn on the front or back tap fully, and leave on. If your stop valve     on the meter does not hold 100%, this will catch any water, before it builds up inside.

3/ Turn on a Hot Tap inside, this will relieve the pressure in the hot water piping, if you have a storage type of Hot Water Service.  The reason for this is, if you are changing a washer on what is called a breaching set, like basin, shower or sink, the hot water is still under pressure.

4/ Unscrew (anti-clockwise) the Hot or Cold button on top of the tap.

5/ Remove the handle, this should slip off the spindle easily.

6/ Unscrew (anti-clockwise) the tap bonnet, this should be able to be done by hand.  If it has been  put on to tight, wrap a towel around the bonnet and undo with multigrips. We are trying to avoid any scratching here.

7/ Unscrew (anti-clockwise) the spindle housing from the valve body with an adjustable spanner, this housing will have a square or hexagonal edge.

8/ Remove the old washer and valve (you may need tweezers to lift old washer out of the body)

9/ This next step is “very important” place the new valve/washer into the tap spindle. Before you attempt to put the tap back together, put the handle back on the spindle and open the tap fully. This must be done or you will grind the new washer into the seat.

10/ With the new valve in place, screw the spindle housing back into the body, as tight as you can by hand, and then a slight pinch up with a spanner, this does not need to be super tight.

11/ Screw the bonnet back onto the spindle housing, tighten by hand is all you need to do.

12/ Replace the Hot/Cold button, pinch up slightly with spanner or the one supplied.

13/ Turn the tap off until the washer engages the seat, the job is now complete.

14/ Turn the garden taps off.

15/ Turn the valve on at the meter very slowly.  With Pressure Pump system, turn the valve at the tank or pump on first, then turn on the power to the pump.

16/ Open taps inside slowly, the pipes may be full of air.

After you have completed this, and if your tap is still dripping, the seat where the washer sits may be scratched or indented.  This is a job for your local Plumber with a re-seating tool.

If you have any further problems, contact me through the Contact Us Page.

Ken The Plumber.