With the top plate out of the way, it’s time to find the washer nestled snugly under the valve – that’s your target for this DIY mission! So, if you are stood at a sink scratching your head, wondering where to start, go and get your tool bag or box and read on below. Common Types of Tap Two discs with matching holes in each sit together. When the tap is turned on, all of the holes are inline allowing water to flow but when the tap head or lever is turned into the off position, all the holes are offset and out of line, preventing any water from flowing. Some more traditional taps will have a body cover, which you will need to remove before you can unscrew the valve of the tap to access the washer underneath.

A push (or sometimes pull) button allows the user to easily switch between using either the taps or the shower as and when needed.If you have ever done any plumbing you will probably have encountered a compression fitting at some point.

To this end, here follows a list of parts that make up the most common mid range types of mixer tap:Ceramic tap washers are hard-wearing and highly resistant to water erosion, meaning that they tend to last a long time Age-related wear and tear (physical stress and degradation), along with water erosion, will ultimately create surface irregularities on a washer that means it can no longer seal the tap effectively. At some point, the washer and possibly other moving parts of any tap assembly will need to be replaced. Compression taps are so-named because of the way the washer is compressed to form a watertight seal, as we described earlier. They’re the oldest and most economical type, while the modern washerless variations that you’ll also see nowadays are: Proper tools: A plumber will have all the tools required for this task, ensuring that your tap is fixed correctly without causing further damage.

Rubber or polythene tap washers are often used in all kinds of basin, bath and shower mixer taps. They come in a wide selection of sizes to suit various jobs, including 32 mm, 40 mm and 1 inch. They have similar longevity to nylon, although they’re much softer and a lot more pliant overall. Washbasin mixer taps frequently incorporate a pop up waste plug. A series of interlinked rods, operated by a button on the centre of the mixer, open and close the waste plug in the basin. Remember that not all washers are created equal – ensure you choose one that matches your specific tap setup for optimal performance. Clean The Stem Of The Tap

He solved the problem by removing and then re-fixing the tap, ensuring that the tap and O-ring were aligned properly around the hole in the sink. One to watch out for – thanks, Lance! The longer you leave a dripping tap, the more likely it is to develop mouldy spots, further water damage, and damp,' Harry explained. 'This is extremely crucial, especially for people with respiratory allergies and other lung illnesses. The load is the amount of force that is acting on the fastener, so bringing it down reduces the general wear on the assembly and extends its lifespan. In plumbing, tap washers are small disks fitted to the inside of a tap. Compression washers, typically made from rubber or synthetic materials, work by compressing against the valve seat to create a watertight seal when the tap is turned off.