DIY: Repair & Replace Bath Taps
When the taps in your bath start to leak, you need to take some time to fix the problem. When you have leaking taps, you have two options. Repair the taps if you think that the problem is minor, and if your taps are relatively new. Replace the taps if your leak is more severe, or if your taps are old and damaged beyond the leak in any way. You may also want to replace your taps if you are updating the look of your bathroom. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Screwdrivers
- Crescent wrench
- Replacement tap washer
- Basin wrench
- New taps
- Tap connectors
Instructions
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Repair Your Taps
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1
Turn off the water to your bath. Turn the tap on to drain any water from the tap before you start working on it.
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2
Remove the cap from the tap. Your tap will have a cap that you have to pry off or unscrew. Use your screwdriver to unscrew the screw that holds on the tap, and pull the tap off the assembly.
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3
Adjust your crescent wrench to fit the nut. Unscrew the nut and remove it.
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4
Remove the washer. Pry it off with a screwdriver if it won't release easily. Use penetrating oil to help remove the washer if it won't come off any other way.
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5
Replace the washer and rebuild the tap in the exact order you took it apart.
Replace Your Bath Taps
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6
Choose appropriate new taps. Unless you want to engage in a major renovation, you need to choose taps that work in the same format as your existing taps. This means that if you currently only have one tap to control the hot and cold water, you should replace it with the same type of tap. The same goes for setups that currently have dual taps.
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7
Turn off the water supply, and drain the taps by opening them full.
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8
Remove the old taps completely. Remove the tap heads from the front, and then use the basin wrench to remove the tap connector from the rear where the tap meets the water supply line.
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9
Saw off the end of a pipe if it is rusty and damaged, and connect the new taps to clean copper pipe.
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10
Make sure the new taps are centered in the holes. You can use a kit to help you accomplish this.
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11
Connect the new taps to the supply pipe with the tap connector. Remember to use a new washer for the tap connector.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Always make sure that the water is turned off before you start any work on taps. When tightening any plastic fittings, remember not to tighten too firmly, or you could crack and break them.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit bathtub fixures image by Leticia Wilson from Fotolia.com
