How To Change A Tap Washer Australia

Are you experiencing a dripping tap in your hot water system or other plumbing systems in your home? A leaking tap can lead to water wastage, property damage, and high water bills.

So, it is necessary to have the problem fixed as quickly as possible to avert the losses involved. To solve the problem, you should first understand the cause of the dripping tap. This is necessary because the long-term solution involves handling the problem's actual cause.

One of the major causes of a leaking tap is a worn-out tap washer, and to solve the problem, you need to replace the washer. This article guides you on how to replace your tap washer efficiently.

What is a Tap Washer?

A tap washer is a disk mostly made of nylon or rubber, featuring a hole in the centre attached to your tap's stem. When you turn off your tap, the washer makes a watertight seal with the seat to stop the water flow. This means that if your washer is worn out, it cannot control the water flow, leading to drips or leaks.

Types of Tap Washers

There are different types of tap washers, so when you want to change, you should be aware of the type you have in your water system.

• Rubber - A rubber washer offers a perfect seal because the material is soft and works perfectly on irregular or harder surfaces. However, it tends to crack with time, requiring you to replace it.
• Nylon - A nylon tap washer is cheaper than the rubber option, more resistant to damage, and suitable for softer metals and a wide range of temperatures.
• Ceramic - Ceramic tap washers are used in quarter-turn mixer taps, are more long-lasting, and provide a smoother tap movement.
• Fibre - Fibre tap washers expand when wet and offer strong sealing because they compress easily.

All types of washers wear out with time because of the pressure exerted by the water and valve deposits. Nylon and rubber are the most cost-effective options used in most taps. However, they wear out easily, harden more quickly than fibre and ceramic washers, and often cause dripping taps.

If you have problems opening or closing your tap, you may have a worn-out washer that requires replacement. If you don't replace it, it will leak, leading to higher bills and flooding in your property. In addition, more limescale and debris from the constant leak stains your bathtub or sink.

How to Change Your Tap Washer

Learning how to change your tap washer in Australia can save you a lot of costs and other unpleasant experiences. Replacing the washer isn't as complex as you think if you have the required materials and tools. You don't have to remove the tap to replace the washer.

Sticking to the same type of washer as the original one is also ideal. To avoid mistakes, you should carry the original parts to your local store when purchasing the replacement parts.

Tools and materials needed

• An adjustable wrench  
• A washer replacement
• A Philips or flat-headed screwdriver
• Needle nose pliers or tweezers
• A cloth
• O-rings
• Lubricant
• Thread sealing tape or Teflon tape

Regardless of the tap washer in your home or business, here are the simple steps to follow when replacing it.

Turn the water supply off

Like you do when dealing with any other water system issue on your property, you should start by turning off your water supply. This is necessary because you must disconnect the entire tap, thus opening your main water line. Failure to turn off the water main will lead to flooding.

Turn off the water main by shutting off the main valve or valve under the sink. Turn it clockwise until it reaches its end. Turn on the tap you want to repair to drain any water left in the pipes. It will take you a few seconds before the water flow stops. If you find the water still flowing, you have turned off the wrong valve, or the valve is not working correctly.

Plug your drain

Plug your sink drain to ensure that no screw or any other part falls aside. You can also use a towel or cloth for this purpose.

Remove the tap cover

Utilise a flat screwdriver to remove the cap of your tap's handle. Most of the handles have marked sections for a screwdriver. You will find the retaining screw, so unscrew it and remove the handle.

If your tap features a plastic or metallic decorative cover, also known as a flange or tap skirt, you should remove it with a wrench or pliers. You can wrap the tap's body from scratches by covering it with a cloth.

Remove the bonnet

Now that you can see the tap bonnet, use your wrench to unscrew it by turning it counterclockwise to release it. Use the cloth again to prevent the body from scratching. If it is hard to unscrew the bonnet, spray it with WD-40 to remove the residue. Allow it about five minutes to work.

Replace the washer

Once you remove the valve stem, you will find the tap washer at the bottom. Use your screwdriver or pliers to remove the small screw or nut connecting it to the stem. Use the tweezers to pull the washer out, place the new one, and tighten the screw or nut. Though optional, you can change the body washer and the O-rings. Make turning the tap on and off smoother by applying some lubricant to the thread.

Clean your tap

Clean all the tap's parts, including the tap seat. Ensure there are no dirt or washer pieces left inside. Wipe it off using a paper towel or cloth, and clean the debris and limescale off all the threads.

Reassemble the hand and tap

After cleaning the tap:

• Use Teflon tape on the threads by wrapping it clockwise and squeezing over your tap's threads.
• After this, put the tap stem into the seat and use the wrench to tighten it.
• Place the handle and tighten all its screws.
• Press the cap over and remove the plug from your drain.

Turn on the water main and test

You need to assess if you have done the tap washer replacement correctly. Ensure you have turned off the repaired tap, then turn the water main valve clockwise. Check the faucet for leaks from the spout and tap's body. If you identify any leakage from your tap's body, try tightening it a bit, and if it fails to work, reconnect and replace the old tape with a new one.

How to Extend Your Tap Washer's Lifespan

It's good to maintain your tap washer to ensure you don't have to replace it often. Generally, the washers have a lifespan of one to two years, depending on the usage and material. Here are tips to help extend your tap's lifespan.

Avoid over-tightening the tap when turning off

When you overtighten your taps, you put extra pressure on your washers, which doesn't help stop the water flow. Overtightening also damages the tap seat and the tap's mechanism. You should turn it until the water stops flowing entirely and not beyond that.

Use high-quality replacements with a warranty

High-quality materials are highly resistant to damage and are more durable. So, buying high-quality tap replacement washers with a warranty is always best.

Regularly inspect the tap seat

An uneven or damaged tap seat can make the tap washer wear out quickly and make your tap drip. The damage can be caused by build-ups that accumulate with time, rust, or overtightening. When you change the washer, make sure you check the seat and thoroughly clean it.

Need Help Replacing Your Tap Washer?

To ensure that your tap washer is replaced perfectly and won't have any issues, hiring a plumber for help is advisable. A good plumber can offer high-quality washer replacement that will work for years without replacing it.

They have all the required tools and use the proper techniques to complete the job quickly and effectively. A qualified plumber can also help with blocked drains and other plumbing services needed.