The importance of the simple tap cannot be understated—whether you’re taking a bath, washing clothes, or cleaning your home. A tap that’s not performing as expected can lead to a lot of household problems, from unfinished chores to extensive water damage leading to expensive repairs.
Plumbing Tips: How To Fix A Broken Tap
Modern taps are generally well-made and can generally last a decade or more, even with regular use. Many homeowners decide to replace their taps when remodelling but there are other reasons that may lead you to replace a tap. One common issue that often leads to this outcome is a worn aerator.
Before you replace the tap entirely though, you should know that you can simply replace a worn-out aerator and keep using the rest of the tap assembly. The process is relatively simple and can be performed even with minimal know-how of how taps work. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to replace it:
- Turn off your water main.
- Using a screwdriver, unscrew aerator.
- Lay aerator parts on a towel or piece of absorbent cloth according to the order in which you removed them.
- Replace worn parts, or the entire aerator if necessary. Aerators can be purchased inexpensively at any hardware store.
- Use a small brush dipped in vinegar to remove any sediment.
- Put the aerator back together again and screw it back on to the tap.
- Turn the water main on again.
Other practical reasons to replace a tap include cracked or discoloured handles, corroded spout, and damaged internal parts. If replacing an aerator or any other worn tap part proves too difficult a task, you can always depend on your friendly neighborhood plumber to handle the job for you.
Plumbing job in Stanmore, North London