General Plumbing
Plumbing
As everyone knows, hiring the services of a plumber can be an extremely costly business, that’s if you can even find one who will call out in the first place! It is therefore wise to learn how to carry out a few simple repairs for yourself before you reach for the yellow pages – and your cheque book.
Leaking taps
This is a very common problem and each tap has a different design so you will first need to know what sort of tap you are dealing with before you can even think of how to repair it. There are two main types of tap – single or pillar taps and mixer or monobloc taps. If a tap is dripping, it will usually mean that a washer needs changing.
A simple guide to curing a leaking traditional style single tap
1. Turn off the water supply. Usually the main stop cock can be found under the kitchen sink. If not, find it. Everyone should know where their stop cock is! More modern plumbing will also have an individual stop valve (red or blue) which is very useful as you would only need to turn that to the off position to isolate the tap.
2. Pop the plug into the plughole. It is such a simple action, but it can save a lot of hassle as things can so easily roll down the sink or basin and down the plughole.
3. For a traditional tap, prise off the cap on top of the tap which will reveal a small nut. Unscrew this nut and pull out the ‘jumper’ that sits inside. This houses the washer. Change the washer, replace jumper and tighten nut, re-fit the cap and the job is done!
Note: for modern taps that have a shroud or cover, just pull it off or remove the screw holding it in place to reveal the jumper underneath and carry on as above.
Handy tip: if you remove the jumper, give it a good clean before putting it all back again. Remember that washer sizes vary, so be sure to buy the right type. Basins and sink taps usually have ½ inch washers and bath taps usually have ¾ inch washers. Never turn the water back on if the tap has no washer in it.
Replacing a tap
Replacing a tap is also a simple task for a DIY’er to attempt. The basic idea is the same, so start by turning the water supply off. Let the water drain. Unscrew the tap connector which is screwed to the tail of the tap and use a spanner to undo the back nut. Remove tap.
To fit a new tap, remember to use mastic before siting the bedding washer on the surface of the sink. Put the tap in position and make sure the spout is in the right place. Tighten the nuts to connect securely. Turn water back on slowly and check that the new tap is operating as it should with no leaks.
Excerpt from Health & Safety Wear the appropriate safety gear. Each job demands specific safety protection...