Table Of Contents
Repairing Leaky Mixer Taps
Mixer taps are the most common type of taps used in modern houses. They give you the ability to control water temperature, and they also help you regulate water pressure. However, these taps can leak at any time due to several reasons.
Causes Of Leaking Mixer Taps
Worn Out Seal
This is most likely the cause of your leaks. The washer or rubber seal that sits between the different parts within the tap will wear through over time, causing leaks. Replacing this seal is easy and takes just a few minutes.
However, it's essential not to use chemicals such as WD-40 because these could damage the rubber even faster than usual. Instead, either use a tapered washer grease or petroleum jelly, which will keep the seal in good condition, or buy a new one from your local hardware store.
Broken Washer
If you can see cracking on the rubber washer, this would also need to be replaced. This is even easier to do than replacing a worn-out seal because it doesn't require taking apart the tap at all. Simply buy a new one and replace the existing one yourself in about five minutes without any additional tools other than your hands and some grease.
Water Dripping
This often causes people to think that their taps are leaking when they're actually just dripping after use. This type of problem can occur with any kind of mixer tap, and it's usually a result of a damaged washer or a problem with the ceramic cartridge. You can do nothing much to fix this except to call a plumber to replace either the washer or cartridge, depending on what type of tap you have.
Corroded Valve Seat
It's possible that if you did not use your taps for an extended time and they didn't receive any water, mineral deposits would begin to form around the valve seat where the rubber seal sits. This causes the seal to wear out quickly, resulting in leaking after use even though there doesn't seem to be any other issue with your leaking mixer tap or its components.
In this case, all you need to do is clean out the mineral deposits from the seat with a brush or a piece of cloth. If there are a lot of mineral deposits, you might need to use a chemical cleaner to get them all out.
Fitted Incorrectly
If your taps were fitted by someone who didn't know how to do their job correctly, then this could result in leaking at any time even though they look to be working fine when you try them for yourself. In these cases, you may be worried about calling in another plumber because one has already failed, and you can save some money by doing it yourself instead.
It will help if you have the correct tools, such as spanners and screwdrivers so that you can fit everything correctly back together again afterward. Depending on where exactly your tap is leaking, it may be possible to tighten all the parts with your bare hands and stop the leaks. Another thing you can do if you think that faulty installation is the reason for the leaking taps is to turn off the water supply under the sink and unscrew everything from underneath.
Clean out any parts with a cloth or tissue before putting them back together again and turning on the water once more. This will often solve any problems, such as leaks that occur after use because they're caused by dirty components rather than faulty installation.
Fixing Leaking Mixer Taps
If your mixer tap is leaking, there are several things that you can do to fix it yourself rather than paying out for an expensive plumber. Below are ten ways in which you can go about fixing the problem.
Tightening Up the Connections
Most leakages occur because the connection between the tap and the hose has come loose or needs tightening up. To achieve this, simply:
• Turn off your water supply at either side of the bibs where you have access
• Undoing both connections one by one before checking them for signs of wear
• Taking off any corrosion or dirt before putting them back together again
• Once they are secure, tighten them back up and turn the water back on to check for leaks
Check the O Rings
If tightening up does not work, it could be a case of checking each connection in turn for damage, but it is more likely that the O rings need replacing. These small rubber rings sit inside each connection; they can occasionally weaken or split over time, leading to leaks. To fix this problem, you will first need to buy some new O rings from your local hardware store before following these steps:
• Remove the heads one by one
• Take out the ring
• Stick the new ring into place
• Put everything back together again
• Test if the problem has stopped
Cleaning Out the Filter Screen
If you still have leaking taps even after checking all connections, replacing O rings, and fully turning off the water supply, it could be something to do with the filter screen at the base of your mixer tap or bath head. To fix this, you will need to:
• Turn your water back on again to run freely without any blockages
• Next, undo both heads until they are completely off, take each one, in turn, and inspect for damage
• Give them a quick clean out before properly putting them back together again
Take the Tap Apart
Check for cracks in the rubber handles, as these can sometimes lead to leaks. If you notice any signs of wear, take the handles apart by twisting them counter clockwise. Make sure to keep track of which pieces go where to be able to put them back together again when you have finished.
Once they are apart, give each component a good clean out using white vinegar before putting them back together again and turning your water supply back on.
Replacing the Washers and Discs
If you have followed the steps mentioned previously but still find that there is a leak, it might be time to replace some of the internal components of the tap in question. This means taking it apart similarly, except this time by undoing each grub screw in turn so as not to mix up any pieces.
Make sure that you keep an eye on which piece goes where so that you can easily put everything back together in the correct place afterward. You will need to replace the ceramic discs and washers inside if your tap is still leaking after this point. The best way to get hold of these pieces is to take a look inside the connector pipes or speak with a professional from your local hardware store.
Keep it Clean
If you have followed all previous steps but still find that there are leaks, it could be because of a blocked drain due to dirt build-up. Tighten anything which seems loose and give all components a good clean out before putting everything back together again.
You can use white vinegar or another cleaning agent to do this. Just be careful not to get any liquid into the opening where water comes out as it could cause damage. Also, ensure that you check for any signs of wear.
Lubricating the Chrome-Plated Connections
Suppose you are sure that it is not your O rings or washers but still cannot seem to fix the leakage. In that case, there may be some other connection that has become corroded, and this needs lubricating to regain flexibility without breaking anything internally.
Use a little grease on each connection where hot and cold water come out before putting everything back together again. Suppose after trying all previous steps you find that you have leaks, despite having fully turned off the water supply and following all other guidelines above.
In that case, it could be because of older connections that need replacing, so get in touch with your local hardware store for more information about this final step if you need further assistance.
Test it Out
Once you have put everything back together again and lubricated the chromium plating, it is time to turn your tap back on fully so that you can check for leaks. If there are no signs of water, then congratulations! You have successfully fixed the problem and saved yourself some money and unnecessary trips to the hardware store.
Involve A Professional Plumber
However, if you find that there is a leak at any joint, it means that there might be corrosion inside, which needs to be taken care of by a professional or replaced altogether. If this has not been the case with your mixer tap, don't worry.
They do sometimes develop problems, especially after a long period of usage; follow all previous steps until the problem is fixed and take good care of your tap to avoid any future malfunctions. Moreover, remember that experts are always available to assist you with all your leaky tap needs so don't be afraid to reach out.
