Dripping tap

[Frederick Williams]

A while ago a tap was dripping so I changed the washer. It stopped
dripping but started again after a few months. The washer was changed
again and it stopped again. After another few months it has started
dripping again. The drip is almost a trickle, and the tap also leaks up
around the rod that connects the bit you turn to the innards (sorry,
don't know the jargon). Any suggestions?

 

[John Williamson]

A while ago a tap was dripping so I changed the washer. It stopped
dripping but started again after a few months. The washer was changed
again and it stopped again. After another few months it has started
dripping again. The drip is almost a trickle, and the tap also leaks up
around the rod that connects the bit you turn to the innards (sorry,
don't know the jargon). Any suggestions?

For the first leak, it may be a build up of limescale on the seat,
alternatively and more likely, the seat is damaged and needs re-facing.
You can buy or hire re-facing tools which smooth the seat surface and
stop it damaging the washer.

As for the other leak, the packing gland round the stem needs either
tightening slightly, the packing itself has failed or the stem has worn
too far for the packing to take up the slack.

 

[Rod Speed]

A while ago a tap was dripping so I changed the washer. It stopped
dripping but started again after a few months. The washer was changed
again and it stopped again. After another few months it has started
dripping again. The drip is almost a trickle, and the tap also leaks up
around the rod that connects the bit you turn to the innards (sorry,
don't know the jargon). Any suggestions?

Most likely the seat the washer screws against has a groove in it.

You should be able to feel that with your finger with the tap and washer
removed.

You can get tap reseaters that cut a little off the seat to get back to a
flat seat again.

If the seat is fine, you can get people who screw the tap closed so hard
that
the washer doesn't last long, but that wont normally produce a
trickle/dribble.

 

[Frederick Williams]

Most likely the seat the washer screws against has a groove in it.

You should be able to feel that with your finger with the tap and washer
removed.

You can get tap reseaters that cut a little off the seat to get back to a
flat seat again.

If the seat is fine, you can get people who screw the tap closed so hard
that
the washer doesn't last long, but that wont normally produce a
trickle/dribble.

Thank you for the prompt reply.

 

[Frederick Williams]

For the first leak, it may be a build up of limescale on the seat,
alternatively and more likely, the seat is damaged and needs re-facing.
You can buy or hire re-facing tools which smooth the seat surface and
stop it damaging the washer.

As for the other leak, the packing gland round the stem needs either
tightening slightly, the packing itself has failed or the stem has worn
too far for the packing to take up the slack.

Thank you for the prompt reply.

 

[Ericp]

If the seat is fine, you can get people who screw the tap closed so hard
that
the washer doesn't last long, but that wont normally produce a
trickle/dribble.

My neighbours mother has gone loopy and is very frail, yet he says she
has hands like a wheel nut torque wrench when turning off taps and
washers last a few weeks. He has a job lot of replacements and does
not bother to put the tools away.

 

[harry]

A while ago a tap was dripping so I changed the washer.  It stopped
dripping but started again after a few months.  The washer was changed
again and it stopped again.  After another few months it has started
dripping again.  The drip is almost a trickle, and the tap also leaks up
around the rod that connects the bit you turn to the innards (sorry,
don't know the jargon).  Any suggestions?

Sounds like you need a reseating tool.

If the tap is well worn, (so long as the seat is OK) you can also buy
the upper part as a replacement. You can can get various pretty knobs
as variants.

 

[Frederick Williams]

For the first leak, it may be a build up of limescale on the seat,
alternatively and more likely, the seat is damaged and needs re-facing.
You can buy or hire re-facing tools which smooth the seat surface and
stop it damaging the washer.

I am now the proud owner of a

Rothenberger
Tap re-seating
tool 3/8'' - 1/2''
and 3/4''

I may report back later.

 

[Tim Lamb]

I am now the proud owner of a

Rothenberger
Tap re-seating
tool 3/8'' - 1/2''
and 3/4''

I may report back later.

Tell me if you find a way to prevent *chatter* as it cuts