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How do I fix a leaking tap in the laundry?

Hi everyone, I’m hoping you can help me sort out a leaking tap. I just had a new washing machine connected and realised there is a leak in the cold water tap, prior to this it was never used so I was unaware. The connection from the machine to tap itself is fine, it’s coming from just behind the tap head and I believe it might be a busted o ring. Could this be an easy fix? I’m not sure exactly how to get the tap head off, I think it requires a little tool to go at the back and release it but not certain of the process. Images attached for reference. Any tips are much appreciated, thanks.

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JacobZ

Hi @Thehomeboffin,

Thank you for your question and welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community, it is fantastic to have you with us.

I'm not 100% certain about this one. Allow me to get in touch with some colleagues to see if they have any thoughts on the best way to fix this.

In the meantime, allow me to tag some of our helpful members who may be able to assist, @Dave-1, @Nailbag, @robchin, @Noyade.

Thank you for your patience, I'll get back to you as soon as I can.

Jacob

Thehomeboffin

Excellent, thanks so much @JacobZ

EricL

Hello @Thehomeboffin

Thank you for your patience. Your tap handle appears to be a a modified version of the skirt handle set. It's either that or just a standard screw set with the screw hiding behind the blue cap cover.

I propose trying to lift the blue cap cover first. I suggest using a sharp flat blad screwdriver and see if you can lift the blue cap cover off. Another tool you can try is an icepick, see if you can lift the corner of the cover off. Once you have the cover off, you'll be able to determine what type of screw that was used to hold the handle in place.

The second method involves you holding the front of the handle in place and grabbing the "skirt" behind the handle and turning it anticlockwise. Please note not use extreme force when testing this method. The skirt should come loose with a moderate amount of force.

Once you figure out how to remove your handle, please have a look at this guide - How to replace a tap washer and have a look at step number five. It shows you how to replace the body O rings of the spindle.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

Thehomeboffin

Hi Eric,

Thank you for your reply, I tried step 1 and the blue cap comes off and revealed a flat surface behind it, so no screw.

Step 2 worked up until a point where I’m not sure how to remove the tap, I’ve attached a pic fore reference. Thanks for your help!

EricL

Hello @Thehomeboffin

You should be able to gently pull the handle off at this point. Move the skirt left and right until it loosens up and pull out. Let me know if you make any progress.

Eric

Thehomeboffin

Thanks Eric,

I’ve tried to take it off and it still won’t budge, I’ve tried moving the skirt around and having no luck taking the tap off unfortunately.

EricL

Hello @Thehomeboffin

You are so close my friend, that handle is about to come off. I suggest screwing the skirt backwards and forwards as it is possible that it is just caught on some calcium deposits. It may take some time, but I suggest being patient and keep wiggling the handle off by playing with the skirt. The skirt should turn freely, and the handle will release itself.

You can also try screwing the handle off as it is now loose.

If it still refuses to budge, it might be time to call in a plumber to remove the assembly for you.

If you need further assistance, please let me know.

Eric

Nailbag

Hi @Thehomeboffin as @EricL mentioned you're so close to getting the handle off. Just need to put a bit more muscle into it. Use both hands holding on to two handle wings each and just keep jiggling it as much as possible as you keep pressure to the handle off. Just be ready for when it does.

If you really get stuck, you could simply replace the entire outlet with a new one, which I suspect you're going to have to do anyway. Turn the water off at the mains and then use a large shifter to remove the tap anti-clockwise after disconnecting the washing machine of course. Then clean all the old Teflon tape off the thread.

Now wrap teflon tape 6-8 times clockwise and put the new tap on firmly. If it's not straight, don't unwind it to any extend as this cuts the teflon tape and you will have to start again. It might take a couple of goes of using more or less tape. This pink tape is thicker than the standard white so you don't need to wind as much on. Before hooking up the machine turn the mains on and check for leaks at the thread. If none, your good to go.

Regards, Nailbag.

Thehomeboffin

Hey @Nailbag @EricL and @JacobZ thanks for the encouragement. The tap head has now come off!

Any tips on what to do next to access the spindle / o-ring? I didn’t expect to find the plastic piece.

Thanks!

Dave-1

Evening @Thehomeboffin

Think im Late to the party 🙂 Def good advice from all tho.

The spindle should be accesable once you unscrew that nut with two slots dynamicaly opposite each other on the end of the shaft. I suspect that black rubber should be able to be pulled off or will come off after you undo that nut.

There is a special tool for that type of nut but dont know the name. Sometimes you find it in a new set as an accessory but I generally have undone them using a flat blade screw driver and putting it against the edge and tapping gently. A pair of circlip pliers could also be used.

Once that nut is off and the rubber end piece then the spindal shaft will be exposed and you can use a spanner to undo it.

Dave

Nailbag

Hi @Thehomeboffin not sure what happened with my reply post on this, but it pretty much followed the lines of @Dave-1 has posted.

Typically when you remove the handle cap that would have exposed the nut with the slots in it. When you remove that the handles comes straight off. In your case the handle looks to have been a push on pressure fit. So both the rubber and screw need to be removed as @Dave-1 described either by tapping a large flat bladed screwdriver (my go to) in to one of the slots (indicated by green arrows in image) or with circlip pliers.

Make sure the mains water tap is off before removing the spindle with a shifter. I usually open the garden tap while I'm there to relieve some of the pressures with the line. Put a towel on the ground under the washing machine tap, then slightly loosen the spindle. Hold a bucket directly underneath while you remove the spindle, then lower it to the floor while water drains out of the pipe.

When replacing the tap valve, check out this little video in the valve kit product page for some helpful advice.

regards, Nailbag

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MitchellMc

Hi @Thehomeboffin,

If you are struggling to get the nut off, you might like to pick up one of these kits: Kinetic Spout and Handle Repair Kit. It includes the spanner you'll need for the nut. At this stage, given the issues you've experienced and the potential for further issues to occur once you've removed the black fitting, I'd almost call it quits and follow @Nailbag's advice of replacing the tap. There would be less work involved, even at this point, to simply screw off the tap and screw a new one on.

Mitchell

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