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Home & Garden Articles
Have You Been Waiting Weeks Or Months For Your Partner to Fix a Leaking Tap?
Thu 06 Aug 2009 - 07:53
Have You Been Waiting Weeks Or Months For Your Partner to Fix a Leaking Tap?
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Pauline_Dwyer]Pauline Dwyer
Most drips or leaks are caused by a worn washer within the tap itself. This is where you will start in fixing the leak. However, before you tackle this job go into the hardware or plumbing store armed with a little knowledge. There are many different types of washers on the market of varying quality, and materials. The best thing to do is to ask the people in the hardware or plumbing store to provide you with the right type of tap washer for your needs. If you ask the store assistants nicely they will explain (or even show you) how to remove the components of a tap to get to the washer itself. Girls, the men love to give us their opinion on how to do things around the home, so don't be afraid to ask them. I have always found the men and women working in home improvement, hardware and plumbing supply stores very helpful.
They will give reasons for the different types of washers and the advantages and disadvantages of each type. If you buy an inferior quality tap washer it will chew out quickly so always buy quality and you should be happy with their performance for many years to come.
Here are the steps on how to change a tap washer doing it yourself:
1. Turn off the mains water supply If you are on tank water then you will need to turn off the gate valve at the tank and turn off the water pump. Most hot water systems usually have a tap close to the hot water cylinder itself, so if you are changing a hot water tap turn off the tap at this point instead of the mains water supply.
2. Turn on fully the tap which is having its washer replaced. This will remove any excess water sitting within the tap assembly itself. If you have turned off the water supply correctly water will stop flowing.
3. You will need to remove the tap. To make certain you don't scratch the tap or vanity surface lay down a cloth to protect the surface. Starting with the little cap at the top of the tap unscrew all components and lift the entire assembly away. This is the only way you can get to the tap washer. You will need to use either multi-grips or a spanner to remove the brass spindle
4. In most instances as you undo and remove the brass spindle the tap washer will drop out from the bottom. Simply discard the old tap washer in an appropriate manner.
6. Insert the new tap washer, and refit the tap assembly in reverse order. Turn on the water
7. Turn the tap on and off a few times to make sure it is working properly and that it is free from drips or leaks. If there are no leaks you have successfully fixed a leaking tap, and learned how to change a tap washer in a few simple steps. Well done!
Pauline is the owner of [http://www.homehandywoman.com]HomeHandyWoman For full instructions go to http://homehandywoman.com/LeakingTap.html This site is for women who want to learn how to do their own home repairs.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Pauline_Dwyer http://EzineArticles.com/?Have-You-Been-Waiting-Weeks-Or-Months-For-Your-Partner-to-Fix-a-Leaking-Tap?&id=2667353
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