A leaking tap can drive you mad, the slow and relentless drip, drip, drip – but what if you can fix it yourself quickly and simply so you can get on with your life without the dreaded dripping?

If you want to fix a leaking tap in your home or property, it is possible to do it yourself with a little bit of know-how.

In this article, we cover how you can fix a leaking tap using a couple of basic steps.

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Why is my tap leaking or dripping?

This important question is one you need to ask a soon as you find the leak as it could be a range of factors. Your tap could be leaking due to the washer wearing out and needing to be replaced or it could be a damaged valve in your tap seating.

If you determine your leak is due to an old washer wearing out, you will need to turn off the water supply that services the taps. If you aren’t sure where they are, it’s best to ask a friend or family member that has some experience in plumbing or call in a plumbing professional.

On the other hand, if your drip is caused by a damaged valve, you will still need to ensure the water supply is turned off before replacing the valve.

One thing to note is if you live in a flat or a townhouse, your water supply might be in your laundry or bathroom, whereas if you are in a house that is detached your water supply will likely be outside.

Replacing a valve can be tricky, but we will work through the steps a little further on in this article.

Get prepared before you kick off your leaking tap project

Now you have figured out where you have the issue, it is time to start the process of fixing and putting your tap back together, so it works like a charm.

Before you start on the project, it is important you have a full suite of tools, including the following:

• Washers (ensure you have the right size or a range of sizes)
• Tap/jumper valve
• O-ring
• Wrench
• Spanner
• Multi-grips
• Lubricant (ie. WD-40)
• Paper towel or rag

If you don’t have any or all of the items above, it is important to head to the hardware store and get yourself sorted. The last thing you want to do is need to get supplies halfway through your tap project.

How to repair your leaking tap

Step 1 – Remove the cover of the tap and unscrew the tap handle

This is usually the part of the tap that has ‘H’ or ‘C’ on the taps. Use a spanner and unscrew the tap handle taking off the bonnet of the tap and then removing the tap head. At this point the washer, o-ring and valve could pop out, so if you haven’t already make sure you have a plug in the sink where you are working so nothing falls down the plughole.

Step 2 – Replace the leaking parts

Replace the washer, o-ring and valve with the parts you have purchased from the hardware store. You can use a lubricant such as WD-40 if you need to ensure the process is a little smoother.

Step 3 – Work in reverse and put everything back together

Work to put everything back together but refitting the parts of the tap you have been working on and ensure the nuts are tightened. If you follow the same steps you made when pulling the tap apart when putting it back together you should wind up with a tap that no longer leaks.

Step 4 – Turn on the water supply and test

In this final step, you can turn the water supply back on and ensure that the tap is working effectively with no leaks. If at any stage you don’t feel confident working on your taps, it is always best to call in a professional to carry on with the job.

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How to carry out a single-lever mixer tap repair

If your home tap is a single-lever mixer tap the process for repairing a leak will be a little unique.

When the spout is leaking on a single-lever mixer tap it means you need to replace the cartridge, when the handle is leaking it will usually mean you need to replace the o-ring

You will need to ensure you find cartridges for your correct brand, as there are differences in the style for each brand and you will need a replacement cartridge that fits perfectly. O-rings can also be an issue, so it is always best to have a chat with your single-mixer manufacturer to arrange replacement parts for your taps.

To fix your leaking mixer tap, you will need to remove the mixer spout from the tap by unscrewing any screws that are fastening it in place, replace the seal at the base of the spout with the matching seal or washer, and then reverse the steps until all parts of your mixer are back in place and your test finds there are no further leaks.

Every state and territory in Australia has there own regulations when it comes to plumbing repairs. Before you commence any plumbing work, it is always a good idea to speak with a local professional to ensure any work you are carrying out is going to be safe and you are not effective your home insurance.