How To Repair A Dripping Chrome Tap (Faucet)

DISCLAIMER : Do at you own discretion and I am not responsible for any damaged. Anyway, it need to be replaced :-)

Modern houses nowadays are equipped with chrome tap, some are very expensive to replace if you consider the good brand. Most of the taps are not DIY friendly, maybe because of commercial mileage, discouraging DIYer to repair it, not like those days when we use the brass yellow tap where we can use the the plumber wrench to twist open the tap. Most of the modern tap do not have any hex nut around it so we may think no replaceable parts inside.

 I am about to replace with a new one which cost quite a sum until i found out from the shop assistant that it can be repaired cheaply.. You will need
1.Light Machine Oil AKA Singer Oil
2.Small screwdriver or or mini  pointed nose plier
3. PTFE white plumber tape 
4. Spare parts as shown

I admit, it is not that straightforward like those black rubber washer replacement. 

1) Put generously Singer Oil as shown to loosen the thread. It is very stubborn the first time. Turn the tap handle anti-clockwise. Rust may make it difficult to open at first  so we may think it  not repairable, secret that most tap supplier do not make it well known.

2) Carefuly remove the existing rubber washer 











3.After removal, you can see some taps have the white. PTFE pipe tape around the washer. You need  re-wrap it with a new tape to the new replacement part later

4. By using a test pen or small screwdriver, pry open from the side the white plastic stationary flat valve (cannot be rotated)

5. You will see the innermost portion of the valve. This is the rotating valve member. Remove this plastic part  also.

6. If you follow the steps, you should have all of these, arranged in order or dismantling.  Notice the new red  and rust free new white valve.
Clean the rust inside the metal tap, especially around the valve and the rubber washer area using steel wool for better result.








7. Put back a new sets of valve, innermost rotating valve part first. 

8.Then put the round shaped stationary (cannot be rotated) part of the valve AFTER you performed step 7

IMPORTANT : When putting the stationary valve part, make sure the small side tab is aligned with the tab slot inside the tap. Can you see it in the photo at 11.00 o'clock position of the round valve ? This prevent the part from rotating, in contrast with the innermost valve which can be rotated by the tap handle !

IMPORTANT :You will need some force to make it rest snugly on top of the innermost valve part or the valve will not seal properly. Then test the working of the valve by rotating the tap handle and you can see the valve open and close.. It should feel smooth with minimal play.





9. Do not forget to wrap a small amount of PTFE tape around the new red rubber washer before inserting it back on top of the valve and make sure the washer seating is clean.The red rubber washer should form a good seal between the upper and bottom part of the tap.

10. Turn and tighten by hand  the upper part of the tap clockwise and test it. 

Money saved during this difficult time. Happy repairing from Asni Trainer :-)