How to Repair a Leaky Tap?

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Leaky taps in the home are all too common and they often get left to drip, drip, drip, day after day, which can become annoying. Although it might only seem like one little drip at a time, all those drips soon add up and are a terrible waste of water and your money. The good news is that it's relatively easy to repair a leaky tap yourself, so you can save on water, save on the cost of the repair job itself and avoid more costly repairs later on if the problem is left unchecked. Here are the basics of repairing your leaky faucets so that you can enjoy a drip free home!

Preparation is the Key

Begin by protecting your work area with some towels, after all, you don't want to splash your bathroom or your kitchen unnecessarily. Prepare all the necessary tools in advance so you don't have to leave the work area to find that single item you forgot that's in your attic. Typically you will need two screwdrivers (a flat one and a Phillips-head), pipe joint compound, a wrench, a utility knife and some pliers. Now, before you do anything, make sure you turn off the water supply! The valve is usually located under the sink. Then, you should turn on the tap and let the remaining water flow until it stops.

Remove the Fittings

Now it is time to remove the handle. Do it carefully, taking the decorative cap first by prying it up with the flat-head screwdriver. Then using the correct screwdriver, remove the screw that is now revealed. In case you don't have a screwdriver, you can always use a sharp pointed knife, but it won't be as easy as with the proper tool. After you remove the cap you can use the wrench to remove the decorative bonnet. If the tap has a big metal nut holding the inside parts in their place, try checking if it is loose because sometimes simply tightening that nut with your pliers is enough to prevent a leak.

Replace Damaged Parts

If the tap contains a cartridge, just exchange it with a new one. Replace any damaged parts, such as washers, with exact replacements which you can purchase from your local hardware store. Sometimes the leak is caused by uneven metal that has come about from mineral deposits, if so then clean the mineral deposits with some vinegar and a stiff-bristled brush. Once you've taken care of the problem parts it's time to put everything back into place, turn on the water supply and then let the water run again!

So there you have it, it's not too difficult to have faucets that are drip free in your home, saving you money on water and helping the environment while you're at it. And seeings you did the repairs yourself you also saved on the cost of a plumber to repair the items for you. All round, it's worth putting in that little bit of effort and time to learn how to do this reasonably simple repair, especially given it's a very common maintenance job too. Now you can keep on top of all your faucets and enjoy a drip free home day in and day out.