How to repair your dripping tapA dripping tap can be like water torture. That constant drip... drip...drip can drive you crazy. Don't worry, be happy. I'm here to kick that drip in the chops. For a basic bath, sink, tub, or basin tap the process below will remain the same. You'll need 1. Washer 15mm 1/2" for sink,basin,tub. 20mm 3/4" for bath. 2. Oring (you may have to take oring into plumbing wholesaler to size.) 3. Tap grease 4. Tap reseater 5. screw driver (straight or cross head) 6. Polygrips/Multigrips 7. Cresent/Adjustable wrench
Shut off water.Shut off water then hit back button to return. Normally, tap domes or handles have a small cover that can be prised or screwed off. Under this, you will find a screw that holds the dome or handle in place. Unscrew (anti clockwise) and pull of handle or dome. If need be, tape up handle and tap gently to break free. 
If a cover dome is on tap(like photo below) Cover in tape. Hold on to dome with polygrips/multigrips and turn anticlockwise. 
This will reveal the tap top assembly of the dripping tap. Unscrew anti clockwise. This contains your taps washer, oring and threads.
Unscrew tap stem out of top assembly body. Clean thread with wire brush or rag. Prise of old washer with small flat screwdriver and replace with new. NB Make sure tap jumper (Part that holds washer has a smooth bottom.) Ensure washer sits flat on tap jumper. If the jumper is plastic and has bulbulous tip to it. File this off and then put washer on. Next, prise or cut off oring ( this is the black rubber ring on the threaded stem. Take oring to plumbing wholesalers to ensure accurate replacement size.Put new oring on. Get rag and clean out top assembly body. Cover oring and threads with tap grease. Screw tap stem back into top assembly body.
Reseat old tap
Smooth out the dripping tapThis is where the rubber meets the road or should I say the rubber meets the bottom of the dripping tap. Run you finger around the bottom of the tap body ( This is the part that is still attached to the wall, tub or basin.) This should be perfectly smooth. Not smooth, No seal. If this is smooth replace tap top assembly, cover and handle. Turn water back on and give yourself a pat on the back. If the tap seat is not smooth, we still have work to do. Now screw the reseater tool clockwise into tap body. ( Make sure you have correct reseater body and grinding teeth size on) Large set on for 20mm 3/4 tap and small set for 15mm 1/2" tap.
Wind in reseating tool grip till firm. Hold reseating tool grip with polygrips/multigrips to stop over tightening when you begin to turn reseating handle. Turn handle clockwise. There should be firm (a small amount of resistence) Too tight? Loosen reseater grip. Too loose? Tighten reseater grip. As you turn handle you will be shaving the rough areas off tap seat. Continue grinding by tightening reseater grip and continueing to turn reseater handle. Inspect tap seat regularly by taking out reseater tool and check tap seat for smoothness. When completely smooth take out reseater tool and wash out fileings with jug of water. Make sure top assembly stem is wound fully into top assembly body.This will stop the washer being squashed when winding top assembly into tap body. Ok we're nearly there:) Replace top assembly, cover and handle. Leave in open position (This will allow any fileings left in tap to wash through and not get lodged in new washer.) Turn water back on. Smile:) No more dripping tap ? If a fibre washer has been used instead of rubber washer it may take 24 hours for washer to seat in. Now make yourself a cup of tea. You deserve it:)
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