How to Fix Leaking Bathroom Taps: A Comprehensive Guide
Dealing with a leaking bathroom tap can be a frustrating and inconvenient experience. Not only does it waste water and increase your utility bills, but it can also damage your bathroom fixtures and create a breeding ground for mold and mildew.
The good news is that fixing a leaking bathroom tap is often a relatively simple and inexpensive task that can be completed with a few basic tools and materials. In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through the essential steps involved in fixing a leaking bathroom tap, covering both cartridge-style and compression-style taps.
Identifying the Type of Tap
The first step in fixing a leaking bathroom tap is to identify the type of tap you have. There are two main types of bathroom taps: cartridge-style and compression-style.
Cartridge-style taps
are the most common type of tap found in modern bathrooms. They have a single handle that controls both the flow and temperature of the water. Cartridge-style taps are relatively easy to fix, as the entire cartridge can be replaced in a few simple steps.Compression-style taps
are older than cartridge-style taps and are less common in modern bathrooms. They have two handles, one for hot water and one for cold water. Compression-style taps require a bit more work to fix, as the washers and seals need to be replaced individually.Tools and Materials You'll Need
Once you've identified the type of tap you have, you'll need to gather the necessary tools and materials for the repair.
For cartridge-style taps:
- Allen key or hex key - Replacement cartridge - Plumber's grease (optional)For compression-style taps:
- Adjustable wrench - Screwdriver - Replacement washers and seals - Plumber's grease (optional)Fixing a Leaking Cartridge-Style Tap
To fix a leaking cartridge-style tap, follow these steps:
1.
Turn off the water supply:
Locate the water shut-off valves under the sink and turn them off to stop the flow of water to the tap. 2.Remove the handle:
Use an Allen key or hex key to loosen the screw that holds the handle in place. Pull the handle straight up to remove it. 3.Remove the cartridge:
Unscrew the retaining nut that holds the cartridge in place using an adjustable wrench. Pull the cartridge straight up to remove it. 4.Install the new cartridge:
Grease the O-rings on the new cartridge with plumber's grease (optional), then insert it into the tap body. Tighten the retaining nut by hand, then use an adjustable wrench to tighten it further. 5.Reinstall the handle:
Push the handle back onto the tap body and tighten the screw with an Allen key or hex key. 6.Turn on the water supply:
Open the water shut-off valves under the sink and check for any leaks.Fixing a Leaking Compression-Style Tap
To fix a leaking compression-style tap, follow these steps:
1.
Turn off the water supply:
Locate the water shut-off valves under the sink and turn them off to stop the flow of water to the tap. 2.Remove the handle:
Use a screwdriver to loosen the screw that holds the handle in place. Pull the handle straight up to remove it. 3.Remove the packing nut:
Use an adjustable wrench to loosen the packing nut that is located just below the handle. 4.Remove the washer:
Pull out the old washer from inside the packing nut. 5.Install the new washer:
Insert a new washer into the packing nut. 6.Reinstall the packing nut:
Tighten the packing nut by hand, then use an adjustable wrench to tighten it further. 7.Reinstall the handle:
Push the handle back onto the tap body and tighten the screw with a screwdriver. 8.Turn on the water supply:
Open the water shut-off valves under the sink and check for any leaks.
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