How to fix a dripping tap

The first thing you need to do before you start unscrewing anything is turn off your water supply. To do this, turn the valve underneath the sink. If there isn't one, isolate the water supply to the whole house at the outside stopcock.

Next, open the tap to ensure the water is isolated then put the plug into the sink, so that no small parts can be lost. Unscrew or lever off the cover of the tap to expose a screw inside. Remove the screw. Remove the head of the tap. Undo the larger headgear nut with a spanner. Do not force the nut. If it is stiff, apply some oil and try again in ten minutes. The washer is a small rubber disc, located inside the tape head – prise it off with a screwdriver. If there is a small nut holding it in place, unscrew it with a spanner.

Fit the new washer and grease the threads on the base of the tap with silicone gel or Vaseline before reassembling. Put your tap back together. Leave the tap in the open position and turn your water back on, this will flush out any debris lodged inside the tap.