New Tap O Ring
When a tap is dripping it is normally a sign that a washer needs to be replaced. There are 3 common tap designs, and they are, the rising spindle, the non-rising spindle and the mixer tap. For this guide we will assume that the tap is a non-rising spindle type. With this design of tap the packing gland has been replaced with a rubber is O ring. An Earls Court Plumber is a professional tradesman. Once you have removed the tap operating head you will see that the water escapes cast the spindle if the tap is turned to the on position. Now, isolate the water supply that feeds the tap to be fixed. Next you should remove the easy clean shrouded cover and remove the headgear from the body of the tap. There is a circlip located at the top of the valve that needs to be removed. You do this by using a screwdriver placed between the open edges and twisting very gently, thereby forcing it apart and then to slip from the spindle. Unfortunately this circlip is quite brittle and will sometimes break, in which case it will need to be replaced. Earls Court Plumbers are trained to change tap washers. Having now got the headgear safely in your hands, push on the top of the spindle, unwinding it and removing it completely from the brass housing, this will expose the O ring. The old O Ring can now be flipped off, which you will be able to do again using a small screwdriver. Replace the O ring with a new one, applying silicon grease to provide a lubricant to effect a good seal. Now finally you can begin to reassemble the tap. Once you have completed the rebuild you should then test the tap to ensure that it is ok. If this repair does not resolve the problem it may be due to excessive wear of the spindle, in which case a replacement tap would be required.