Charge for replacing tap washer

[medsecslave]

My kitchen mixer tap is dripping non-stop. What sort of charge should I expect if I called a plumber? Thanks.

[catweasle]

it's an easy ten minte job, get a tap repseating tool from any builders merchant. turn the water off, take the top of the tap off, re-grind the seating, pop in a new washer and away you go!

[medsecslave]

I've googled it and it looks really simple but as a newly separated female, I'm not sure that it's something I want to tackle - just don't want to get ripped off by anyone!!

[catweasle]

i'm sure you could get a friendly neighbour to help out? Don't forget to turn the water off though!

[medsecslave]

Probably but I've only recently moved and don't know them that well to ask!

[fluffyteddy]

I had a tap that kept dripping and we got the plumber around who said the pump was pushing too hard and we needed a new one. It cost 250 pounds but it stopped the leak just as he promised.

[medsecslave]

OMG don't tell me that - I might have to make friends with the neighbours faster than I thought!!

[catweasle]

for god's sake, don't spend that sort of cash, you can do it for pence!

[webdude]

A dripping tap does not usually require re-grinding - that should only be necessary on old taps. Visit your local builders merchants or plumb shop and buy a pack of washers. All you need then is a screw driver to remove the tap head, then unscrew the upper cover and using an adjustable spanner remove the cartridge containing the washer. Prise out the old washer, snap in the new one with the aid of a drop of washing up liquid, put it all back together, and that should be it!

If it still drips, then it is quite likely that you may need to grind the seat - the tool costs about �6.

[Bert]

I'm not a plumber, but I think Fluffyteddy was ripped off. The water pressure in (most)(British) houses is not caused by a pump. There is simply a water tower somewhere in the vicinity that creates a 'head' of pressure - in the cold water supply. Again in most British houses, the hot water pressure is derived from the water tank in the loft - which is not usually enough for a decent shower in an upstairs room. If the pressure was too high, it could be reduced by partially closing the stop-**** - by the way, that's what catweasle means when he says 'turn the water off', i.e. turn the stop-**** off where the cold water enters the house (often under the kitchen sink). The fact that you have a mixer tap that is dripping could cause a bit of difficulty, as I've never seen a diagram of 'How to Change a Washer' that features a mixer tap.

[buildersmate]

Must be a slow night on Chatterbank since you lot have migrated over here (again).
The answer to the ladies question is probably �50.
The problem with this sort of job is the time taken to get there and then onto the next job. The cost of the parts of peanuts and it takes 10 minutes but a plumber can't be doing other high-value work if he's working for you.
Worth plucking up courage and trying DIY.

[pauln90]

There are several video's on youtube which show you how to change a washer.

eg

http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-replace-a- tap-washer

If this isn't the type of tap that you have then there are guides for ceramic cartridge type taps as well.

[pghargi]

I got the same problem (dripping tap) - the cartridge that leads to washer does not budge a millimetre when trying to open it using a spanner.Oiled it and left it for half an hour,no luck. Used a cloth on the nut, held the tap and tried to open it, no luck. The nut just does not move. Ideas please....