Fix a dripping tap by replacing the washer

Stop a dripping tap by turning off the water, taking the tap apart, and fitting a new washer.

TW-01Gather your tools and turn off the waterYou'll need a flat or crosshead screwdriver, an adjustable spanner, a cloth, and a replacement washer kit that matches your tap (buy a universal kit if unsure). Turn off the isolation valve under the tap if there is one, or turn off at the mains stopcock. Open the tap fully to drain any water left in the pipe and put the plug in the sink to catch any drips or small parts.

1 each · Universal tap washer kit

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1 roll · PTFE tape

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1 each · Cloth or old towel

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TW-02Work out which type of tap you haveTraditional pillar taps (one for hot, one for cold, often with a separate handle and spout) have a simple screw-off cover and a rubber washer. Modern mixer or monobloc taps often use a ceramic disc cartridge instead of a washer, and the whole cartridge is replaced rather than just a washer. Check the tap body or manufacturer's website for the exact part if it's a mixer tap, as cartridges are brand-specific and a wrong one won't fit.

TW-03Remove the tap handleMost handles have a small screw underneath a plastic cap marked H or C — pop the cap off with a small flat screwdriver and undo the screw. Some older capstan-head taps lift straight off, and crutch-head taps have a side screw. Lift the handle away once the screw is out, keeping the screw somewhere safe.

TW-04Undo the headgear (or remove the cartridge)For a traditional tap, use the adjustable spanner to unscrew the large hexagonal nut (the headgear) and lift the whole valve assembly out of the tap body. For a mixer tap with a cartridge, undo the retaining nut or clip that holds the cartridge in place and pull the cartridge straight out. Take care not to scratch chrome fittings — wrap the spanner jaws in a cloth if needed.

TW-05Replace the washer or cartridgeOn a traditional tap, the washer sits on a small nut at the bottom of the headgear, held by a tiny retaining nut or just pushed on. Prise off the old washer and push the new one on the same way round. On a mixer tap, fit the exact replacement cartridge, matching the notches or tabs so it sits the same way as the old one.

1 tube · Silicone grease (for O-rings)

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TW-06Reassemble the tapWrap a couple of turns of PTFE tape around any threads before screwing the headgear or cartridge back in, then tighten by hand and finish with the spanner — snug, not overtightened. Refit the handle and screw it back down, then push the cap back on.

TW-07Turn the water back on and testTurn the isolation valve or stopcock back on slowly and check for leaks around the headgear and handle before turning the tap on fully. Run the tap for a minute and check under the sink for drips. If it still drips from the spout, the washer or cartridge may be the wrong size or not seated properly — turn the water off again and check the fit.

TW-08Tidy upDry off the tap and surrounding area with the cloth. Put the old washer or cartridge aside briefly in case you need to match it against a spare part, then bin it. Store any leftover PTFE tape and washers for next time.

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