How to Change a Tap Washer

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The cause of a leaky faucet usually depends on the style of faucet it is, and fixing the leak likewise varies based on the faucet type. If you have a leaky compression-style (that is, two-handled) faucet, you may be able to quickly solve the problem by changing the hot and/or cold tap washers. With a few simple tools and a matching replacement rubber washer, you may be able to fix the leak yourself in about an hour!

Part 1
Part 1 of 3:

Gathering Tools and Preparing for Disassembly

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  1. Luckily, these are all basic tools that you’ll probably find in your toolbox. You’ll need the following: [1]
    • Crescent wrench
    • Flat-head screwdriver
    • Phillips screwdriver
    • Adjustable pliers
    • Needle-nose pliers
    • Steel wool
  2. [2] Peek underneath your sink and locate both shutoff valves—they’ll be at the lower end of the 2 flexible water supply lines that connect to the underside of the sink. Turn them clockwise until they are fully closed. Then, turn on the hot and cold faucet taps and drain the water from the lines. [3]
    • If the water supply won’t shut off completely, you’ll have to replace 1 or both shutoff valves. [4] Unless you have some plumbing experience, it’s probably best to call a professional to do this repair.
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  3. Simply jam a piece of cloth or a small wad of paper towel into the drain. You don’t want to lose one of the small pieces of the faucet assembly down there! [5]
    • If your sink has a stopper that fully blocks the drain opening, you can use that instead.
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Part 2
Part 2 of 3:

Removing the Tap Stem

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  1. Compression faucets have screws in each tap (hot and cold) that are concealed beneath plastic or metal caps. These caps often have the H (hot) and C (cold) indicators marked on them. Wedge the blade of a flathead screwdriver beneath the cap and pop it off. [6]
    • You’ll usually find a small indentation somewhere beneath the rim of the cap—if you do, wedge your screwdriver into this spot.
    • If you’re only replacing the washer on 1 tap (e.g., cold), don’t bother popping the cap or working on the other tap (e.g., hot). But this might be a good time to replace the washers on both taps. [7]
  2. Turn the screw counterclockwise until it comes free, then remove it. After this, you’ll be able to lift the tap handle and remove it from the tap stem. [8]
    • Depending on the type of screw, you may need to use either your flathead or Phillips screwdriver.
    • Don’t lose track of this screw or any of the other parts you remove—you’ll need them later!
  3. Adjust your crescent wrench so it fits snugly around the packing nut, then turn counterclockwise until it releases. At this point, you can lift the tap stem up and out of the sink. [9]
    • In some cases, you may have a compression-style sink with separate faucets—that is, a hot faucet and cold faucet, each attached to their respective handles. If so, grip the faucet with one hand while you loosen the packing nut with the wrench in your other hand. Then pull the tap stem up and out of the faucet.
    • If the packing nut won’t budge, try spraying it with a lubricant like WD-40, then wait 5-10 minutes and try again. If it still won’t move, call a plumber so you don’t cause damage to your sink trying to get it out. [10]
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Part 3
Part 3 of 3:

Replacing the Washer and Finishing the Job

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  1. Many tap stems have a small nut or screw that holds the rubber washer in place at the bottom. If you find this, use a screwdriver or adjustable pliers to remove the screw or nut. Then, pluck off the rubber washer with needle-nose pliers. [11]
  2. Tap washers vary in size and thickness based on the faucet make and model. Your best bet is to remove the old washer and use it to find a precise match. You’ll find rubber washers of practically every size at your local hardware store or home improvement center. [12]
    • Alternatively, you can cheaply buy a collection of various rubber tap washers beforehand, and use the closest match during your repairs. But it’s best to use a perfect match whenever possible. [13]
  3. Use your fingers or the needle-nose pliers to slide and press the new washer into place. Then, if your tap stem uses a screw or nut, use the screwdriver or pliers to tighten the screw/nut back in place. [14]
    • Depending on the tap stem model, the washer might press into an indentation in the bottom or slide over the end of the stem and into a channel. Your best bet is to place the new washer in the same spot where you found the old one.
  4. If you see any white limescale or other debris on the surface of the tap stem, rub it away with a piece of steel wool before reinstalling it. Likewise, use your finger to stick the steel wool into the opening of the tap seat (where the tap stem inserts into the sink or faucet) and twist it a few times to release any limescale. [15]
    • If you loosen any limescale or debris inside the tap seat, try to wipe it out with a paper towel wrapped around your finger.
  5. Reassembling the tap is the same as disassembling it, only in reverse. You’ll need to: [16]
    • Insert the tap stem into the tap seat;
    • Tighten the packing nut with a crescent wrench until it’s snug;
    • Place the handle over the tap stem;
    • Tighten the screw that holds the handle in place with your screwdriver;
    • Press the cap over the screw until it snaps into place.
  6. Twist the hot and cold shutoff valves counterclockwise to turn the water supply back on, then open both faucet taps. Allow the water to run at full force for at least 2-3 minutes. Check for leaks around the base of each faucet tap during this time. After that, turn off the water and see if the faucet drips. [17]
    • If nothing leaks, you're all done!
    • If there is a leak, then the washer likely wasn’t the culprit in the first place. In many cases, the problem is a rutted or damaged tap seat. It’s possible to repair/replace the tap seat yourself if you have some plumbing skills, but it’s better to call a plumber if you’re a novice. [18]
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How do you know when a washer needs replacing?
    Patrick Johns
    Home Improvement Specialist
    Patrick Johns is a Home Improvement Specialist and the Owner of CatchAll Handyman Services. With more than 28 years of experience, he has worked on a variety of home improvement projects, such as carpentry, plumbing, and door and window installations in both commercial and residential properties.
    Patrick Johns
    Home Improvement Specialist
    Expert Answer
    You'll either start to get a slow drip from your faucet or you'll still have water trickling when you go to shut it off.
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    Not Helpful 2 Helpful 7
  • Question
    This is too complicated. Is there an easier way?
    CMOsborne
    Community Answer
    If you believe the task is beyond your DIY abilities, your best bet is to call a plumber. It's not a good idea to start tearing apart your faucet without being confident in what you're doing!
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    Not Helpful 9 Helpful 12
  • Question
    Are washers all one size or how do I know what size to buy?
    Mike Haugh
    Community Answer
    The one that fits snug into the attachment you're fitting.
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      Tips

      • If changing the washer does not solve the problem, and the tap seat is the problem, you’ll likely have to purchase a tap (or valve) seat grinder and grind down the seat in the faucet. Or, just call a plumber.
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      Warnings

      • Be gentle when prying off the faucet cover. You do not want to make any permanent marks on the edges of the plastic. If you need to, use a small and thin flat-head screwdriver instead of forcing a thick screwdriver into the edge of the plastic.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 3
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      Things You'll Need

      • Crescent wrench
      • Flat-head screwdriver
      • Phillips screwdriver
      • Adjustable pliers
      • Needle-nose pliers
      • Steel wool
      • Replacement rubber washer

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      References

      1. ↑ https://youtu.be/SR6vnfNLr-8?t=30
      2. ↑ Patrick Johns. Home Improvement Specialist. Expert Interview. 5 April 2022.
      3. ↑ https://youtu.be/SR6vnfNLr-8?t=30
      4. ↑ Patrick Johns. Home Improvement Specialist. Expert Interview. 5 April 2022.
      5. ↑ https://youtu.be/SR6vnfNLr-8?t=50
      6. ↑ https://www.diydoctor.org.uk/projects/dripping_tap.htm
      7. ↑ Patrick Johns. Home Improvement Specialist. Expert Interview. 5 April 2022.
      8. ↑ https://youtu.be/SR6vnfNLr-8?t=75
      9. ↑ https://youtu.be/SR6vnfNLr-8?t=75
      1. ↑ https://www.diydoctor.org.uk/projects/dripping_tap.htm
      2. ↑ https://youtu.be/SR6vnfNLr-8?t=90
      3. ↑ https://www.diydoctor.org.uk/projects/dripping_tap.htm
      4. ↑ https://youtu.be/SR6vnfNLr-8?t=30
      5. ↑ https://youtu.be/SR6vnfNLr-8?t=90
      6. ↑ https://youtu.be/SR6vnfNLr-8?t=120
      7. ↑ https://youtu.be/SR6vnfNLr-8?t=130
      8. ↑ https://youtu.be/SR6vnfNLr-8?t=140
      9. ↑ https://www.diydoctor.org.uk/projects/dripping_tap.htm

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To change a tap washer, start by turning off the hot and cold water supply and draining the lines by turning on the hot and cold faucet taps. Then, use a flat-head screwdriver to pry off the faucet tap, and remove the screw under the cap. Next, pull off the tap handle, and loosen the hexagonal packing nut with a crescent wrench so you can pull the tap stem out. Finally, remove the screw or nut and rubber washer from the bottom of the tap stem. To learn how to put a new tap washer on, scroll down!

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