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Repairing dripping taps

Dripping taps can be a serious issue in daily life. Not only do they produce an annoying sound, but the leaking can also result in wastage of 3 gallons of water every day. One day, you’ll realize your water bills are rising and what you are paying for is simply draining out. Repairs might involve some up-front expenses but save you money in the long run. If you have some handyman skills, you can fix the dripping tap yourself. This blog post is for all of you who wish to fix this maintenance issue on their own.

There are essentially two types of tap.

Traditional taps. In traditional water tap types, the dripping is caused by a damaged washer that should be replaced.

Monobloc lever taps. In a Monobloc tap, leaking is probably caused by a damaged ceramic cartridge. Replacement is the ultimate solution.

Tools to be used

An adjustable spanner;
A cross-headed screwdriver;
Replacement cartridge;
Lubricant
Dripping taps and faucets are the most common of household plumbing issues. Ignoring them will lead to future problems and a huge amount of water loss. Fortunately, the repair is easy if you have the right tools.

5 steps to follow while preparing dripping taps.

Cut off the water supply. Before you attempt to fix the leak, either turn the water off at the stop cock (if you don’t know where yours is then it’s important to find out) or turn off the isolation valve. This is normally found on the supply pipes below the sink. Now turn on the tap again to release any water left in the top of the pipe.
Remove the knobs. The first challenge is finding the screw inside the handle that holds the tap together. It is generally hiding under the decorative parts of the knobs. Sometimes you can unscrew the cap by hand, or you may need the help of a slot-headed screwdriver or adjustable spanner. If you are fixing a “monobloc” lever tap, the secret entrance is often a tiny grub screw underneath the hot or cold indicator button.
Remove the stem. Use some lubricant to unscrew and take out the faucet handle off the stem. Use the spanner to loosen the packing nut and remove the stem. Depending on the type of the faucet, some stems pop out and others need to be twisted off from the valve.
Check out for any damages. If there is damage, replace the part. If there isn’t, inspect the O-ring and the washer. Loosened or damaged washer and O-rings can also cause leakage, so replace them with a new one. Make sure they are an exact fit.
Re-assemble all the parts and test. Once everything is in place, test if the tap is working properly.https://gotinoconstruction.com/

How to Replace a Ceramic Disc Tap.(Monobloc lever taps.)
Ceramic disc taps are different from conventional ones as they have a cartridge that houses two ceramic discs. A broken ceramic disc can cause the tap to leak and you’ll be forced to replace the whole cartridge.

Remove the cartridge, take it to the shop and buy the same one to replace it.
Cut off the water supply, unscrew the handles carefully and remove the decorative parts.
The entrance screw is often hidden behind a small grub screw (can be easily removed by a flat-head screwdriver) below the hot or cold indicator.
Remove the shroud and the ceramic disc with the help of an adjustable spanner. Check for damages and replace, if required.
Remove the cartridges. Remember which ones are for hot and cold water. Replace any damaged parts.
Flip off or twist open the washer from the tap seat. Look out for any damages and replace if required.
If the rubber seal is worn out, change it.
Make sure all the replacing parts are correctly sized and fit properly.
Reassemble everything.
Bring back the water supply by turning the knob gently.https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/may/21/how-to-mend-a-dripping-tap