Leaking sink tap
- Thread starter paul666
- Start date
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Lazurus
Established Member
Turn the water off at the stop cock in case it goes wrong..........
Lons
Established Member
As Pete said it's usually an Allen key.
Normally loosening this will allow you to remove the handle leaving the valve in place, if it's a newish tap then that valve is likely to be ceramic rather than a replaceable rubber tap washer.
The leak may be just that the valve is slightly loose in which case tighten with an adjustable spanner or the rubber O ring is broken or worn in which case you need to replace although a temporary repair can sometimes be made with PTFE tape.
If the tap is also dripping from the spout then the ceramic valve / rubber tap washer needs to be replaced.
Can get the valves at plumbers merchant or B&Q but best to leave the water off and take the old valve with you.
If just removing the handle I personally wouldn't bother to turn off the water but in your case It might be advisable.
EDIT:
Before turning off the stop cock look under the tap to see if there are isolating valves and turn off both hot and cold if it's a mixer tap. That means only the supply to that tap is turned off leaving the rest of the house unaffected.
Normally loosening this will allow you to remove the handle leaving the valve in place, if it's a newish tap then that valve is likely to be ceramic rather than a replaceable rubber tap washer.
The leak may be just that the valve is slightly loose in which case tighten with an adjustable spanner or the rubber O ring is broken or worn in which case you need to replace although a temporary repair can sometimes be made with PTFE tape.
If the tap is also dripping from the spout then the ceramic valve / rubber tap washer needs to be replaced.
Can get the valves at plumbers merchant or B&Q but best to leave the water off and take the old valve with you.
If just removing the handle I personally wouldn't bother to turn off the water but in your case It might be advisable.
EDIT:
Before turning off the stop cock look under the tap to see if there are isolating valves and turn off both hot and cold if it's a mixer tap. That means only the supply to that tap is turned off leaving the rest of the house unaffected.
