How to replace a laundry tap

 

A laundry tap may require replacement when, even with closed valves, it continues to drip. With your plumbing tools, you can easily do the job and save the money you would have spent on paying a professional. 

Shutting off the water supply

Before starting work, turn off the water supply to the tap. If you cannot control the individual tap supply, turn off the main water supply to the house until you have finished the work.

Remove the old tap

Locate the supply pipes under the laundry tub that carry water from the wall fittings to the tap. Making sure the valve is turned off, loosen the screws of the pipes from the top end, where they are attached to the tap, with a spanner. Place an empty bucket under the hoses to drain off any water in the hoses. Check the rubber gasket at the end of the hose that screws onto the tap. If the gasket is very old, change it to prevent leakage. Now, with the help of a spanner, unscrew the bolts holding the tap and remove the old tap from the top of the bathtub. Use a cloth to clean the hole of dirt that may have accumulated over the years.

Fit the new tap

Take the new tap and lower it over the hole revealed by the removal of the previous tap. Although the size of the new tap may vary, make sure that the diameter of its stem is the same as that of the previous tap. A tap with a different stem size may not fit into the hole in the basin used by the previous tap. In addition, a single-handle tap can be replaced by a similar tap, and a double-handle tap should also be replaced with the same design. Adjust the tap to its position and connect the water under the basin. Screw a washer onto the stem of the tap visible from under the tub. Making sure that the washer is held in place, wrap the tape around the stem to form a dense web. Take the end of the pipe you unscrewed earlier and screw its end onto the threaded stem. A layer of tape will fill in the gaps left after tightening and discourage leakage.

Running water from the tap

Open the tap supply and let the water run for a couple of minutes. While the water flows through the tap, check for leaks under the laundry tub. If you detect dripping from any joint, close the tap again and check the tightness of the joint.

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