Dripping taps

The volume of water lost by a dripping tap will vary depending on the severity of the leak, however it has the potential to waste up to 16,000 litres of quality drinking water per year. That's the entire amount available each year to many people around the world.

Dripping taps occur mainly when fixtures are continuously turned off too tightly and, over time, the pressure on the washer causes it to deteriorate.

Replacing a tap washer is quite simple, however if you have a hot water system in your ceiling it is recommended you contact a licensed plumber. These steps can be used as a guide to replacing your tap washer:

1. Turn off all water-using appliances, then turn off the water at the meter.
2. Relieve the water pressure at the nearest tap to the meter.
3. Turn the dripping tap on all the way.
4. Undo the tap buttons (if any) and remove the tap handles.
5. Remove the flange - you may require a multigrip tool.
6. Scrape away any old silicon around the tap fitting.
7. Undo the spindle and make sure the body washer is intact. If it is not intact, it will need to be replaced.
8. Remove the washer and replace it with a new one.
9. Before replacing the rest of the tap, it is important to make sure that the leak has been fixed. Turn off the taps then turn the water mains tap back on at the meter. If the area is still leaking, the mains will need to be turned off again and the previous steps repeated. Alternatively, you may wish to contact a licensed plumber.
10. If there are no leaks, replace the flange firmly by hand as well as the tap handles and buttons - tighten these with a shifter so they don't come loose.
11. If the taps are in a wet area such as a shower, then seal the area around the spindle with silicon to prevent water from getting into the wall cavity - allow a couple of hours before using the tap.