The traditional method of doing this is shown in the image below. It works by placing a cloth over the spout of the tap to avoid scratching the metal and gripping it with a pair of Stilson Grips. As you turn the spanner on the valve you can then hold the whole tap steady and stop it moving with the Stilson Grips. This may not sound like much but with a bad leak of 1 litre an hour, that’s 168 litres a week and a massive 8736 litres in a single year!

When this happens it’s time to strip the tap down where required and make repairs. The Cost of a Dripping TapIf your outside tap is leaking from the smaller (gland) nut under the handle, then you can tighten that nut to stop it from leaking. There are 2 main areas that a mixer tap can leak from and that’s out of the top of the spout and also out of the base of the spout. One of the most common problems encountered in the home is a dripping tap and it remains one of the most misleading as the go to solution is to just change the tap washer, but this isn’t always the cause. The problem in some cases is the valve seat that the washer sits on when the tap is closed.

A mixer tap is a type of tap found mostly in kitchens and bathrooms that allows both hot and cold water to flow out of the same spout. It also allows you to mix hot and cold water together in the tap body to get the perfect temperature water for your needs.He solved the problem by removing and then re-fixing the tap, ensuring that the tap and O-ring were aligned properly around the hole in the sink. One to watch out for – thanks, Lance! Different types of tap usually leak for different reasons.If you have a traditional tap, the main cause of a leak is usually that the washer, sometimes known as an O-ring or the rubber seal, needs replacing. This might be a better option if you have limited mobility or are concerned about making the problem worse. If you decide you don’t want to wait for a plumber, you’ll find the DIY instructions below. What you need to fix a dripping tap

Using a large open-ended spanner (or similar), wrap a tea towel or cloth around the largest open end (to prevent damaging the tap or tap head). Hot water valves will have a red bottom seal, and cold water valves will have a blue bottom seal. The difference between the two is the direction in which the valve turns. This rarely comes out of my tool draw, but it has saved me from having to replace the full tap a couple of times over the years.Failing that it is a case of taking the part to your local merchant or trawling the web to find a replacement. Step 5 – Inspect Washer and Seat: With the valve removed inspect the condition of the washer and also the seat that it closes down on to in the body of the tap. Also inspect the valve itself for any corrosion or damage. If there is you will need to get a new one There are few things more annoying in life than a dripping tap. Whether it’s keeping you awake at night or distracting you during the day, it doesn’t have to be this way. Dripping taps are not only annoying, but they can also waste a lot of water. The good news is that you don’t have to put up with this forever. A dripping tap often has a very simple DIY fix.