Is it a washer tap?
If the handle turns round more than once from off to fully on, it is a traditional washer tap. If it turns only a quarter, it is ceramic — see our cartridge guide instead.
Step by step
- Turn off the isolation valve or stopcock. Open the tap fully.
- Remove the handle cap, screw and handle. Some old taps have a shroud that unscrews.
- Hold the tap body and unscrew the headgear with a spanner.
- At the bottom is the jumper with a rubber washer, held by a small nut or pushed on.
- Fit the new washer.
- Grease the headgear O-ring and refit.
- Turn on slowly and test.
Pro tip: The washer is the seal between the solid jumper and the solid brass seat. If the seat is rough, a new washer will soon wear — re-grind the seat or use a seat repair kit.
Leak from under the handle?
That is not the washer — it is the spindle seal or O-ring on the headgear. Replace the O-ring or gland packing.
