A complete guide to fixing the taps leaking in different Ways
A leaking tap in your home or office can often become a nuisance. From the continuous noise to the water wastage, a leaking tap is unignorable. Therefore, fixing your leaking tap as quickly as possible is always best.
Fortunately, fixing a leaking tap is easier, especially when you have the right tools and little know-how of tap anatomy. If you do the job by following proper instructions, you can complete it successfully. Always remember this tip when you are trying to DIY a plumbing task. It is never recommended to grease your elbows with any complex plumbing task.
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Understand the key reasons for leaking taps.
Is any of your home taps leaking? Always remember that the problem can occur due to different reasons. Some of these reasons typically include:
- Tap washer size isn’t accurate
- The washer on the tap has worn out or broken.
- Damaged valve seating
- Corroded valve seating
- Previously incorrect installation of a tap washer
- Worn out O-Ring
- Loose O-ring due to any reason
Knowing the type of parts of your tap can make fixing the leaking tap problem in your house easier. Most of the taps presently contain rubber or ceramic parts, which help stop water when your tap is off.
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A comprehensive guide to fixing the leaking taps in your house.
We all understand that leaking taps is one of the common plumbing problems in virtually every household. The methods to fix leaking taps typically vary per the tap type you have installed. However, we have brought different ways to consider fixing the housing problem here.
So, here we go:
Collect necessary tools
Before learning about the different ways to fix leaking taps, collecting all the necessary tools is important. Ensure to have to follow tools handy before starting the procedure:
- Adjustable wrench or pliers
- Flathead or Phillips Screwdriver (Choose as perused screws)
- Replacement parts according to the model of your tap. These parts usually include a washer, cartridge, or O-ring.
- Plumber’s tape or Thread seal tape
Turn the water supply of your home off
Look for the shut-off valves under the sink or near the tap. Turn the valve in a clockwise direction to shut your water supply off. If there is no shut-off valve for the tap you want to fix, turning your main water supply off would be better.
Prepare your workspace
Place a rag or a towel under the tap you plan to fix. It will help you to catch all the small parts of the tap that are vulnerable to falling during your disassembling process. The practice will help prevent your tap’s parts from going into the drain.
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Identify your tap type.
Firstly, identify the tape type that you are going to fix here. Knowing the tape type can help you get the right parts and fix the problem more efficiently. Some of the most common types of taps include:
- Compression faucets
- Cartridge faucet
- Ball faucets
1. Try tightening your faucet
Sometimes a tap starts dripping water only because of the loose faucet. Tightening the faucet can be one of the easiest ways to fix the problem. Fortunately, tightening your faucet is also the easiest of all. You just need to take a wrench and use it to tighten the knob or handle of your tap gently.
Avoid overtightening the tap’s knob, as it can cause further damage to the system.
2. Replace your washer
If you have traditional compression faucets, then here are the steps you need to follow to replace the washer:
- Use a screwdriver to remove the decorative cap on the handle. Pull the handle off gently.
- Take an adjustable wrench or pliers to unscrew the valve carefully stem underneath the handle.
- Replace the old washer with a new one of the same size and shape at the valve stem’s bottom. You should also replace the screw if it is damaged or worn out.
- Put the valve stem back in place and tighten it with the wrench. Reattach the handle and secure it with the retaining screw.
3. Repair the cartridge
If you have a cartridge faucet, then follow the steps below:
- Remove the tap handle and access the cartridge. As per your tap’s model, you may also need to remove a retaining clip or handle to reach the cartridge.
- Now pull out an old cartridge from your tap and replace it with a new one according to your tap’s exact model. It is always better to follow the manufacturer’s directions to complete the cartridge replacement process.
- Now reassemble the tap by reattaching its handles and securing it with a retaining screw. Replace its decorative cover or cap if necessary.
4. Replace the O-ring
If your tap features ball faucets, replacing the O-ring may fix the leaking tap problem. Follow the steps below to complete the process:
- This type of faucet typically has a single handle attached to its ball-shaped cap. Look for a screw near the handle’s base to remove it and release the handle.
- Once the handle is off, you’ll see a ball and cam assembly. Use pliers to remove the cam cap and expose the ball.
- Inspect the ball and its parts for any damage signs. Also, replace worn-out parts, such as O-rings or seals.
- Put the ball and cam assembly back into place and secure it properly.
- Reattach the handle and secure it using a screw or pin.
Check for damaged parts.
Before re-assembling your tap, it would be better to check all its parts and inspect these for any possible damage or wear and tear. Replace any damaged parts as needed.
Apply thread seal tape.
If your tap has threaded connections leaking, wrap thread seal tape around the threads. It will help you to create a tight seal. Apply the tape in a clockwise direction.
Test your tap
After reassembling your tap, testing is necessary to see if everything works fine. Turn on the water supply and test the tap for leaks. If everything is functioning correctly, the leak should be fixed.
Final Thoughts
Remember to be patient and gentle during the repair process, as some parts may be delicate. If you encounter any difficulties or are unsure about the repair, don’t hesitate to get professional assistance. Calling a plumber can be your savior here.
Fun Fact from a Drain Cleaning Tulsa:
On About Us | Plumbing Tulsa | Acts of Service Plumbing, you’ll find how our owner Rick Hudson overcame his early plumbing challenges. Learn more about our leaders and team.
For over 20 years, we’ve had the pleasure of serving is making a difference in the Tulsa and surrounding areas. Visit this remarkable company website, as they are one of our clients, Water Filtration Systems, Air Filtration Systems – Nova Water and Air (novawaterusa.com).