Insert the grinder into the tap body and tighten up the threaded section into the top thread. To start cutting, push down on the handle twisting as you do.

This is where the steps will differ depending on the type of tap you have and the type of repair you need to make. If you have a traditional tap, keep reading to learn how to replace the washer or O-ring, if you have a monobloc lever tap, skip to step six to learn how to replace the ceramic disk. Pecev recommends starting here, 'If you have a dripping faucet, then it's pretty clear cut where the leak is coming from, and that is out of the waterspout. If you have pooling water around your faucet, then it might mean that your leak is situated around the joints or hinges. If you have a leak under your sink, then the likelihood is that there is a problem with your supply lines or your waste pipe.'Before you start to dismantle the tap, place the plug in the hole. This will stop you losing anything down the waste. You will need a few important tools to fix the leaking tap, we recommend that you get together these parts now to save you having to find these parts in the middle of your DIY job: Depending on where your leak is, take the faucet apart. This might mean removing it from your countertop, or it might simply be that you need to take the water spout off. If you suspect your leak is underneath your sink, then detach the supply lines. If you are of a nervous disposition or you haven't performed this sort of task before, then feel free to take photos or make notes of how the faucet came apart.' Adds Percev. 4. How to replace the washer A tap reseating tool might just save the day when trying to fix a leaking tap. My tap reseating tool To this end, here follows a list of parts that make up the most common mid range types of mixer tap:

If your leaking tap is really old and stiff or wobbly, you might be better off just replacing the tap to save you from the stress (and money) of going through all that and it still drips. Step 6 – Replace Washer and Grind Valve Seat: To replace the washer either undo the retaining nut holding it in place or use a flat screwdriver to prise it off. Even if it’s not in bad condition, as the taps apart it’s worth replacing now. Next use a tap valve seat grinding tool to flatten the base of the valve seat and provide a nice flat surface for the washer to close down on to Step 2 – Remove Cover Plate: Use a small flat blade screwdriver to prise the cover plate off to reveal the retaining screw. Depending one the type of mixer you have will depend where this is but in most cases it will be on top of the handle/head gear. Once the cover is removed unscrew the retaining screwAlthough wear will be caused by the discs moving over each other, this is generally much slower than the time it takes for rubber washer to wear. First thing to do is isolate the tap, you can do this by closing the isolation valve on the pipe. Using the flat screw driver, turn the valve a quarter-turn. Once you have isolated the tap, simply open it to release any water still in the pipe. Push gently down on the other end of the spanner, pushing the tap head up. Keep the spanner as close to the main body of the tap as possible so the force you are using is as vertical as possible. With the pull out type, the seal or seals are normally one the outside of the stalk that runs down into the tap body.

Hot water cylinder: Turn off the gate valve on the cold water supply pipe, usually this is a red wheel-shaped valve on a pipe running downwards to the base of the cylinder. Mixer taps have several advantages over traditional individual pillar taps in that the overall temperature of any flowing water is much easier to control and adjust, often just by moving a lever.

Remove the decorative parts

Now that you know all about the different causes of a dripping tap and how to access the tap valve inside it’s time to strip your tap down and find out what’s going on. We have detailed below the full procedure for changing a tap washer and re-grinding the seat if that is also required. Step 1 – Turn off the Water Step 3 – Remove Handle/Headgear: Using a small Philips screwdriver, remove the retaining screw and then grip the handle/headgear and pull it up and off the spindles Sometimes the leak comes out of the spindle of the tap, rather than dripping out of the spout. This requires a slightly different method to fix. Hot water valves will have a red bottom seal, and cold water valves will have a blue bottom seal. The difference between the two is the direction in which the valve turns.

Modern mixer taps are now common place in most UK kitchens and bathrooms and have largely replaced the traditional pillar tap, however like pillar taps they are still subject to wear and tear.

As with the DIY repair above, you should always turn off the water supply before starting any repair works on your taps. Turn the water off at the mains and then turn the tap on to drain any remaining water. Make sure you switch between hot and cold to completely drain the pipes. Unscrew the tap The main internal elements of a tap including the circlip, jumper, washer and seat What Causes a Dripping Tap?