How to Repair a Leaking Mixer Tap?

A leaky faucet is something that everyone eventually encounters. It's one of those incredibly bothersome plumbing issues that people frequently neglect to address until it's too late. Leaking taps have the potential to seriously harm your home and your bank account if they are ignored for an extended period of time. Regardless of expertise level, how to repair a leaking mixer tap is actually a pretty straightforward do-it-yourself project, and the sooner you start, the less water and money you'll waste.

What is a mixer tap:

Traditionally, a 3-piece tap set with separate hot and cold taps and a spout was found in bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms. Users of mixer taps can 'mix' the temperature of their water and control the flow of water with a single handle.

How to repair mixer tap leak:

• Disconnect the water supply:

Making sure that your mixer tap's water supply has been switched off is the first step in fixing a leaky mixer tap. At a stop valve or an isolation valve, you can stop the flow of water. The isolation valve is on the supply pipes below your sink, and the stop valve is near to your water metre.

Put a plug in your sink or basin to stop any pieces from falling down the drain as you work, then turn on your mixer to remove any residual water in your pipes.

• Remove the plastic cap or cover:

The cap that hides the grub screw must be found and removed in order to repair a leaky mixer tap. This cap covers the hot/cold indicator button found on your mixer handle on the majority of taps.

Sometimes you can use your nails to push the cap off, but if you're having trouble, you can carefully lift the button with a Stanley knife and finish prying it out with a tiny flat-head screwdriver. If you're not careful, you could damage the cap, but most plumbing and hardware stores carry replacements with ease.

• Removing the grub screw handle:

You'll discover a grub screw in the hole underneath your mixer handle once you've successfully removed the cap. This screw secures the handle to the mixer tap's base. Until you can pull the handle off the cartridge spindle, use your key to loosen the grub screw.

The mixer handle may occasionally become stuck to the base due to a buildup of calcium carbonate, often known as limescale. If the limescale is making it difficult for you to remove the mixer handle, immerse the mixer in a solution of half water and half vinegar. After soaking for around 20 minutes, you ought to be able to take the mixer handle off.

• Remove Chrome Dress Ring and Retaining Nut:

   

The chrome dress ring must be taken off next. You must use a pipe wrench since this ring has no flat sides. You will find a brass holding nut after removing the dress ring. The ceramic cartridge in your mixer can be found by unscrewing and removing with a wrench. Use an old rag in between your tools and the mixer if you are concerned about destroying the finish on your tap.

• Change out the Cartridge

Once you have full access to the cartridge, carefully remove it and swap it out for a fresh one that is the exact same model. Make sure you adhere to any manufacturer-provided instructions and that the cartridge's locator pins line up.

• Replace the mixer's parts and turn on the water supply

The final step of your query, how to repair bathroom mixer taps, is to reassemble your tap when the replacement cartridge has been installed, and then turn on your water supply at the isolation or stop valve. In case there are any leaks, we advise keeping towels nearby. You're done if you've tested your mixer and are happy with the outcome.

I would like to conclude here as I believe this suffices your query about how to repair a leaking mixer tap. I hope this helps:)

Read More:

When I had an old tap mixer, I needed to look inside my tap at the O ring and washer to know the actual issue. As it was out of my knowledge, I hired a NoBroker plumber to fix my leaking mixer tap. He finally changed the O ring of my tap and it started working properly. Moreover, he shared the detailed steps on how do you fix a mixer tap which I mentioned below for your reference.

How to Stop a Leaking Mixer Tap?

Most of you must be aware that a leaky tap can usually be attributed to a defective washer. Check out the steps that NoBroker plumber informed me to fix a dripping mixer tap within a few minutes:

• Turn off the water supply to the tap that is dripping.

• Take off your tap headwear. This is exclusive to dual tap mixers that mix hot and cold water. 

• Single tap mixers use a detachable cartridge in place of a washer and compression valve. Now that you have the compression valve, examine the O rings on the valve's body and the washer that is fixed at its base.

• Use the tip of a screwdriver and remove the O rings and washer.

• Install the new washers, then swap out the old tap with the new one.

• Examine and swap out the spout washer if required.

• Now, replace the mixer cartridge if your single lever mixer is leaking.

• Reassemble all the lubricated components. 

• Finally, to ensure the leak has been addressed, turn on the tap.

These easy procedures will help you solve a leaking mixer tap quickly, saving you money and water. I hope you find these wall mixer leakage repair tips helpful.