How To Fix A Leaky Bathroom Mixer Tap

How to Fix a Leaky Bathroom Mixer Tap

A leaky bathroom mixer tap can be a frustrating and wasteful problem. Not only can it waste water and increase your water bills, but it can also damage your bathroom fixtures and floors. Fortunately, fixing a leaky mixer tap is a relatively simple task that can be completed in a few steps.

Before you begin, you will need to gather a few tools and materials. These include a wrench, a screwdriver, a pair of pliers, and some replacement washers. You may also need some plumber's putty or Teflon tape.

Once you have gathered your tools and materials, you can follow these steps to fix the leaky mixer tap:

Turn off the water supply to the tap. This is usually done by turning off the stopcocks under the sink.
Open the tap to release any remaining water.
Remove the aerator from the tap. The aerator is the small, screen-like device at the end of the tap. It can usually be removed by unscrewing it by hand.
Use the wrench to loosen the packing nut. The packing nut is the large nut that holds the tap in place.
Remove the old washer from the packing nut. The washer is a small, rubber or plastic disc that seals the tap.
Apply a small amount of plumber's putty or Teflon tape to the new washer.
Place the new washer on the packing nut.
Tighten the packing nut.
Replace the aerator.
Turn on the water supply and check for leaks.

If the tap is still leaking, you may need to replace the cartridge. The cartridge is a small, cylindrical device that controls the flow of water in the tap. To replace the cartridge, you will need to follow these steps:

Turn off the water supply to the tap.
Open the tap to release any remaining water.
Remove the handle from the tap. The handle is usually held in place by a small screw.
Use the pliers to remove the cartridge. The cartridge is usually held in place by a small clip.
Replace the old cartridge with a new one.
Reattach the handle.
Turn on the water supply and check for leaks.

If you are unable to fix the leaky mixer tap yourself, you may need to call a plumber. Plumbers are trained to fix all types of plumbing problems, including leaky taps.