How to fix a mixer tap that is leaking

A leaking mixer tap is one of the most common plumbing problems you would experience at some point. It’s something that should be fixed as soon as possible before it causes any property damage. Fortunately, repairing a leaking mixer tap doesn’t always require a plumber or plumbing experience. It can be a relatively simple fix if you have the right tools and follow the proper steps.

What Is A Mixer Tap?

A mixer tap is a crucial plumbing fixture that helps in regulating the water temperature. It mixes hot and cold water to produce the desired temperature.

What Does It Mean To Have A Drippy Mixer Tap?

It means your tap is faulty, and it won’t stop dripping water, whether on or off. And here are its causes:

• Used Up Washers: A washer is an internal feature that opens and closes whenever you turn the tap on and off.  It’s susceptible to wear through friction.
• Worn Out O-Rings: They equally lead to a leaky faucet following their inability to seal the gaps inside a tap when turned off.
• Faulty Inlet Seals: Inlet seals prevent water passage once you turn off the tap. However, substandard, overused, or weak inlet seals may not withstand high water pressure, leading to a mixer tap that leaks.

Other reasons behind a dripping mixer tap include a possibly corroded valve seat or a damaged faucet cartridge.

Adverse Effects Of A Leaking Faucet

• Creates Annoying Noise: The ‘drip-drip’ sound produced by water drops can be annoying, especially if it denies you a quality night’s rest.
• Leads to a Rotten Floor: Your floor is prone to rot if it continually gets exposed to water for a lengthy period. A rotting floor is also dangerous to your health as it attracts harmful fungus and organisms.
• Causes a Slippery Floor:  Having a slippery floor may be a problem as long as a mixer tap that’s leaking keeps wetting it.
• Can Attract Harmful Pests: Some pests, including termites and cockroaches, love wet surfaces, as it guarantees a conducive environment for living and breeding.
• Results in Unwanted Expenses:  You may have to spend more money fixing a faulty mixer tap should you fail to solve the problem early. Also, you could incur a high water bill.

Fixing A Leaking Mixer Tap

Having discussed the causes of mixer tap leaks, let’s see how to get things fixed.

Step 1: Get All The Required Tools

Ensure all the tools below are readily available, as you will need them for the fixes.

• New tap cartridge or tap washer depending on the type of tap (traditional or monobloc)
• Adjustable spanner
• Flat and cross-head screwdrivers
• Hex wrench

Step 2: Turn Off The Water Supply

Proceed to the next step, which involves turning off the water supply. You can complete this process through the stopcock, a small, brass-handled valve located under the kitchen sink, by the gas metre, or in the bathroom. Turn it clockwise until you are sure that the supply of water is off. The stopcock can also be found in a cupboard, cellar, or utility room.

Step 3: Loosen The Hex Nut

First, you need to remove the faucet handle by turning it in a clockwise direction. Having done that, look for the hex nut and loosen it using a hex wrench. Then, remove the cover head from the unit.

Step 4: Unscrew The Plate Covering And Brass Fitting Protecting The Cartridge

There is a plastic plate-covering over the cartridge, which you can easily remove by turning clockwise with your hands. You may also have to remove the brass fitting that protects the cartridge. Get your adjustable open-ended wrench, place it on the brass fitting and turn it clockwise until you can unscrew it.

Step 5: Replace The Faulty Cartridge

A faulty cartridge is often responsible for a mixer tap leak; hence you should remove the old cartridge and replace it with a new and compatible type that will stand the test of time. Meanwhile, see that the hoses are secured in their correct positions to avoid unexpected problems while reassembling the tap.

Step 6: Reassemble The Tap

Having changed all the faulty parts, proceed to reassemble the tap. Tighten the plate cover, brass nuts, and hex nuts. Turn on the water supply and check if the leaky mixer tap issue has been solved. Should it persist, you might need to repeat all the steps and check if you made a slight error. Meanwhile, don’t hesitate to consult a professional plumber.

How To Fix A Leaky Faucet

1. Turn off the water supply just like you did with the mixer tap.
2. Remove the decorative part of your fancy tap using a flathead screwdriver.
3. Loosen the faucet handle with your hands. Apply some lubricant should you find it difficult to unscrew.
4. Using a spanner, loosen the nut that joins the tap parts so you can easily remove the stem. Ensure you keep all the removed parts in a safe place.
5. A damaged tap washer and worn-out O-rings could be responsible for the leaking faucet. Confirm the real cause of the problem and find the right solution.
6. Replace the faulty tap washer with a new, durable one. Otherwise, change the O-rings, or you can equally replace both if you can afford it.
7. Reassemble your tap and turn on the water supply.

Go ahead and call a professional plumber as a last resort because experiencing a leaky tap is one thing but having a damaged tap is another.