No more annoying drips! How to replace a leaking tap washer yourself — easy, no plumber needed

A chronic dripping tap, fixed for a few dozen baht

The 'drip... drip...' of a leaking tap isn't just annoying — it also means your water bill is creeping up for no reason. The most common cause of a leaking tap is the tap washer (washer/O-ring) inside, which has hardened or cracked with age. The good news is that you don't need to buy a whole new tap or pay a plumber — you can replace it yourself in under 15 minutes.

Get your tools ready before you start

Before starting the repair, prepare these basic tools so the job goes smoothly and you don't have to stop halfway to look for something:

• Adjustable spanner or water-pump pliers: for undoing the tap body and lock nut
• Screwdrivers (flat and Phillips): for removing the cap and the handle screw
• New replacement washer: take the old washer to the building-supply store to match the size exactly
• Thread-seal tape: for wrapping the threads to stop leaks at the joints
• Clean cloth: for wiping off limescale

5 steps to replace a tap washer, walked through step by step

Once your tools are ready, carefully follow these steps to replace the tap washer:

• 1. Turn off the main water valve: always turn off the water supply to the house or the valve under the basin first, so water doesn't spray out while you work
• 2. Remove the tap handle: use a screwdriver to prise off the small cap on top of or beside the handle, then undo the screw inside to remove the handle
• 3. Unscrew the tap cartridge: use an adjustable spanner to turn the valve spindle anticlockwise; you'll find the old washer at the very bottom
• 4. Fit the new washer and wrap the thread: pull out the worn washer, wipe off the limescale and fit the new washer in its place, then wrap thread-seal tape around the spindle about 4-5 times to prevent leaks
• 5. Reassemble and test: screw the valve spindle and handle back in snugly, then turn on the main valve to check that water flows normally and there are no more leaks

Precautions and when to call a specialist

An important precaution: don't over-tighten the nuts or tap body, as this can strip the threads or crack the tap. Also avoid harsh chemicals for cleaning the internal parts, as they make the washer wear out faster than normal.

However, if you find that the threads of the pipe embedded in the wall are cracked, a wall-mounted tap is leaking inside the structure, or it's a mixer tap connected to an electric water heater, don't do this kind of work yourself — call a specialist to inspect it right away, to prevent the danger of current leakage and long-term damage to the structure of the house.