Emergency Services

  Identifying the tap The two-handle tap can be of three types: the tap with a washer, the diaphragm tap and the tap without a washer. The tap known as the seat-washer tap is generally the most common and can be identified by turning the handle. If the handle turns completely, it is a stem tap with a seat. Other types turn only a quarter of the way round.  Turn off the water and start Before you start repairing the tap , make sure the water is shut off. You will usually find a shut-off valve under the sink, but if it is not visible, you may need to shut off the water at the mains, outside or at the meter. Most sink taps are fixed to the sink by a screw that goes through the top. Sometimes it is covered by a button-shaped cap. You can also find handles screwed into the sides of the sink, but wherever you find the screw, you have to start unscrewing it and then pull the handle completely out of the sink. It is possible that the tap is stuck to the sink, due to years of use or a ...

  The shut-off valves under your sink are your last line of defense when the faucet leaks, and they must always be in working order. Because they are rarely used under normal circumstances, the plastic and rubber parts inside such a valve can become brittle, and eventually it can leak. Before replacing a leaking valve , you can try a simple repair procedure. If it doesn't work, you'll have to replace the valve, but if it does work, you'll have saved a little time and money. Spray the handle with spray lubricant if it won't turn. Wait about five minutes and then try turning it again. Repeat the process if necessary. Stop a valve leak by tightening the packing nut. Wrap a rag around the nut located just below the valve handle, grasp it with adjustable pliers, and turn it clockwise one-eighth of a turn. This may compress the rubber and plastic inside enough to stop the leak. If not, disassemble the valve. Turn off the water in the sink. If you are repairing a hot water val...

  Drain plugs have become an essential bathroom sink accessory, but they don't always work as they should. Sometimes they remain fully or partially open, preventing the sink from holding water. The problem can be sediment in the drain, but often it's also due to a loose connection between the lift rod and the lever that controls the stopper. Installing the lift rod, which usually sits just behind the faucet spout, isn't difficult, but don't rely on your fingers. To do it right, you need to be able to see what you're doing, and you'll need pliers. Insert the lift rod into the hole behind the faucet spout. As long as there is nothing in the way, it will drop all the way down. Crawl under the sink with a flashlight and find the lever of the pop-up stopper. Pull the lever down to open the stopper, and have someone hold the stopper open while you lift the lever. If the lever is connected properly, you will feel resistance. If not, unscrew and remove the nut ho...

  Whether your faucet is attached to the sink or countertop with a nut, bolt or mounting plate, replacing it is as easy as can be if you have access to the fasteners. Unfortunately, that's not always the case. The proximity of the cabinet to the wall and the configuration of the sink sometimes make it virtually impossible to reach the fasteners unless you have special tools. The special tool you need to replace your faucet depends on the fasteners. If you don't already have it in your toolbox, you can usually find it at a hardware or plumbing store. Step 1 Turn off the water shut-off valves under the sink and open the faucet to drain it. Disconnect the flexible hoses from both valves with adjustable pliers. Place a bucket under the hoses as you disconnect them to catch the water. Disconnect and remove the siphon so you have more room to work. You can usually loosen the nuts by hand, but if that's not possible, use adjustable pliers to loosen them. Disconnect the h...

Measure and mark the position of the drain The first step is to measure and mark the location where the drain will be installed with a tape measure. Linear shower drains are usually installed in four different ways: one-sided wall mounting, three-sided wall mounting, free floor mounting and floor mounting at the shower entrance. Single-sided wall mounting is the most common type. In this case, the drain runs along one side of the back wall of the shower. The ends of the drain do not extend to the side walls of the shower. Three-sided wall-mounted drains are the same as the single-sided wall-mounted drain, except that the ends of the drain extend to the side walls of the shower and rest against three sides instead of just one. Free floor-mounted linear drains are located in the center of the shower and do not touch any of the walls. Floor-mounted linear shower drains, as the name implies, run across the entrance of the shower between the two shower walls. Depending on the o...