Don’t ignore a dripping tap, the sooner you tackle it, the easier it will be to fix, and the less damage will be done. Even if you don’t have a spare washer, take a look inside the tap, if the washer is only slightly damaged on one face, you can reinsert it the other way up. But even if that stops the drip, do remember to replace it with a new washer as soon as possible. Standard mixer taps can be repaired, but monobloc taps often controlled by levers and needing only a quarter turn between fully off and fully on have ceramic discs rather than washers. These discs are very hard wearing, but it one does develop a problem you will need a replacement cartridge. Camden Town Plumbers replace cartridges.

Turn off the water supply and open the taps to drain water from the system. Put the plug into the plughole, just in case you drop any small nuts or screws. Unscrew the top plate, you might be able to do this with your fingers, if not use pliers or an adjustable spanner. Not all taps are made the same way so you will have to work out how the handles come off. On most you need to unscrew the retaining screw, and pull off the handle, this will expose the headgear nut. Camden Plumbers are trained to replace all plumbing items. Unscrew the tap body cover. If you can’t do this by hand use an adjustable spanner or pipe wrench, but protect the chrome with a cloth.

Undo the headgear nut with an adjustable spanner. If it is hard to turn do not force it, instead, pad around the base of the tap with cardboard and use a pipe wrench to grip firmly as you apply the necessary force. Remove the headgear assembly by screwing. The washer sits in the jumper and is either pressed in place, often over a small button, or retained by a nut. Prise out the old washer. Insert a new washer and push it into the jumper. Reassemble in reverse order, apply a little silicon grease to the threads on the base of the headgear before reinserting it in the tap body.