A dripping tap you can hear at night is also quietly costing you money. Replacing the washer is genuinely a DIY job — as long as you know what you are unscrewing and where to shut off the water first.
Safety note: Before touching anything, shut off the water — either the isolation valve under the sink or the main stopcock for the flat. Never work on an open system. If you do not know where your valve is, find it before you start.
How to Tell It Is the Washer
Water dripping from the spout after the tap is closed — that is the classic sign of a worn rubber washer inside the headgear. Different situation: water leaking around the handle or spindle usually points to an O-ring or spindle problem, not the seat washer. Worth identifying before you start pulling things apart.
What You Will Need
- Adjustable spanner or the right size fixed spanner for the headgear nut
- Flat-head and cross-head screwdrivers
- A new washer (a mixed pack of sizes costs very little and saves a second trip to the shop)
- A cloth or towel under the sink
- A bowl to catch water left in the pipes
Replacing the Washer — Step by Step
- Shut off the water. Turn the isolation valve clockwise until it stops. Then open the tap to release any remaining pressure.
- Remove the handle. Find the retaining screw — often under a plastic cap on top. Unscrew and lift off the handle.
- Unscrew the headgear. Use the adjustable spanner to undo the headgear nut and pull out the headgear (this may be a cartridge or a traditional stem-type, depending on your tap).
- Find the washer. At the bottom of the spindle sits a rubber washer held by a small brass screw. Unscrew it and remove the old washer.
- Check the seat. If the metal seat inside the tap body is scored or pitted, a new washer will not fix the drip for long. The seat can be reground with a special tool, or the tap may need replacing altogether.
- Fit the new washer. Match the size, seat it properly, and screw it back in. Do not overtighten — rubber compresses and distorts.
- Reassemble and test. Refit the headgear, replace the handle, and turn the water back on. Open and close the tap a few times. The drip should be gone and there should be no weeping around the headgear.
Single-Lever Mixer Taps — a Different Story
Modern single-lever mixers use a ceramic disc cartridge rather than a rubber washer. You replace the entire cartridge, not just the rubber. Cartridges are not universal — you need to know the brand and model of your tap before buying a replacement. Check the manufacturer before heading to the shop.
When to Call a Plumber
If the tap still drips after a new washer, the seat is damaged, old joints refuse to budge, or something cracks when you try to turn it — stop there. In older Warsaw buildings the pipework can be well past its best, and forcing things risks a much bigger problem than a dripping tap.
If you are not sure or the job turns out to be more involved than expected — leave a request through the form on the site. We will come out and sort it. Pricing depends on the tap type and condition of the plumbing.