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Fixing leaky taps & other plumbing probs | |||||
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| Start point: what sort of tap? |
Decide whether you have a new ceramic type with a 1/2 turn action ... if yes ... maybe best you call someone with some experience. Maybe the following is not for you (If there is grit or worn surfaces, they should have a way to fix it ... maybe a whole new tap insert assembly.) |
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'Everyday' tap type! |
Buy a couple of improved tap washers. (Look at the pics of the better types). Get all in the house that might have a need to go the toilet. As a backup. fill the kettle and maybe organise a bucket of water. Check that you have an adjustable spanner or other suitable tools. You may need a screwdriver to remove the cap at the tap's top. The Multi-grips may substitute for the adjustable spanner or a tube spanner. Now, go find the big tap (usually painted blue), between the water meter & the road, and turn it CLOCKWISE hard to turn off the water. Check that your water is off. If not, check that you have the right tap. Check that the tap is fully off. Before starting, make sure that you have replacement parts |
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 Blue water tap near meter |
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| Study the diagram below, then have a go! |
If the tap is leaking out the spout, then replacing the tap seal should fix it. If the housing is leaking around the flat red washer, then working on the housing may be needed. ( This will take a bit more work and may also require a change of the 'housing'.) If there is water leaking up the rotating shaft of the tap, then the O Ring inside needs a fix plus some waterproof lubricant. Again a new tap may be needed. |
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A final note: wind the shaft fully ANTI-CLOCKWISE out before reassembly so if you use the improved tap seal with extra height, then you can screw the housing into the main tap body. |
| Other useful stuff .... |
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The company FIX-A-TAP Australia has a good range of spare parts |
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