Consider the Tap Type and Age: Remember that the type and age of your tap can also influence the size of washer you need. Traditional taps and older taps often use larger washers, while mixer taps and newer models might use smaller ones. HVAC Systems: In heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, rubber washers play a crucial role in sealing and insulating ductwork and components.

Lastly, of course, you’ll also need a new washer! If you know the size or can measure it before buying another one, buy a few so you have some spares in case of mishaps in the right dimensions. Otherwise, get a kit with a variety of sizes. You’ll find the washer directly under the valve where it will be held in place with either a nut or a screw. Use your spanner and pliers to remove the washer too or, if this is too difficult, put penetrating oils around it. Leave the washer to soak for a while before trying again. Inspect the washer in the end of the valve stem. It is possible that your washer is worn or damaged from use. If this is the case, you will not be able to get an exact measurement using a ruler or tape measure. The easiest way to determine what size you need is to take your old washer to a local hardware store and have them match it for you. With all brands racing to make profits, there are a lot of cheap washers in the shops. If the material and characteristics of the washer aren't clearly stated, it's best to look elsewhere. Choose a leading supplier and you can rest easy knowing your connections are safe no matter if they are subject to pressure or not. Replacing a washer: the basics Look under the tap for an isolation valve to turn off the specific water supply, and if you can’t see one, switch off the water mains. Either way, open the tap to drain any water left in the pipes. If you’re working on a hot water tap, you’ll need to shut off the immersion heater and boiler too.

Our standard range of rubber washers covers a selection of sizes and materials. As part of our standard product catalogue, we offer rubber washers in Outer Diameters ranging from 3mm to 37mm. However, we understand that rubber washers are a niche product and specific projects will often require custom sizing. If you examine your newly extracted tap valve, you’ll find the washer fixed into a slot at the very bottom. Washers can sometimes just slide straight out, but you might find that it’s held in place by a small screw or nut. If this is the case, remove the fixing with a screwdriver or small spanner and carefully take the washer out.

Your toolbox should have a few sets of pliers, slot and crosshead screwdrivers, some penetrating oil, a wrench and spanners of various sizes, or one adjustable spanner. Having some rags to hand in case of unexpected spills is also a good idea. As mentioned, bath tap washers come in a variety of sizes. This is because bath taps themselves vary greatly in size and design, so there’s really no set answer to the question of washer size. Bath tap washers will often be in the 20mm, or ¾”, sort of range, as the taps themselves tend to use ¾” British standard pipe (BSP) inlets. This is not a universal rule, however, and the easiest way to determine your bath tap’s washer size is simply to remove it and measure it yourself. How To Change the Washer On A Bath Tap Being less rigid than nylon, rubber is often chosen for taps that are made of very hard materials, or in situations where there is more irregularity between the two surfaces being sealed. However, their malleability means they’re likelier to be distorted and malformed with repeated use.Depending on the tap type and the specifics of its assembly, you may need large tap washers, mudguard washers, small tap washers, or even mini versions. Commonly used washer sizes for various indoor or outdoor taps include: It is not necessary to measure the washer diameter, as it is normally the same as the tap thread size. There are two main sizes of tap washers, 3/4″ and 1/2″, with some minor variations. If you have a tap with separate hot and cold handles, you will need to measure each one to determine the correct washer size needed. The easiest way to do this is to use a set of vernier calipers. Note: If you have an older style tap, it may have a fiber or rubber washer held in place by a brass screw. You will need to determine whether your tap has a fiber or rubber washer before you start. Conclusion Besides nylon, rubber and fibre, tap washers can also be made of fire-hardened ceramics. They’re the most recent developments in what you might call tap technology, and the assembly consists of two discs. One remains stationary, while the other moves up and down and from side to side.

When it comes to longevity and function in tap washers, rubber is considered to share many of the properties of nylon, although overall it is a much softer and more pliant material. This can mean that it creates a more effective seal against certain harder materials, or where there is more surface irregularity. Rubber washers and gaskets are displaced and distorted more aggressively than some other materials under high compression forces. This can lead to increased signs of wear after extended use.We’ll begin our disassembly by taking off the tap’s handle to expose its juicy inner workings. All taps feature some kind of release screw, which allows you to remove the handle and access the valve housed within. Bath pillar taps, for example, often include a cap on top of the handle that can be pried off with a flathead screwdriver, revealing the screw beneath. It might be a small piece of your kitchen tap, but getting the right washer is crucial for a leak-free tap!

In either case, select the hole or tube that is on the side of the handle nearest to the body of the tap. It may be hidden by a screw or plug in which case this will need removing first. Measure from the inside edge of this hole or tube to the centre point of the handle spindle where it goes into the body of the tap. Make sure that you get an accurate measurement by taking several readings and averaging them. You should end up with something in between 16mm (5/8″) and 19mm (3/4″). If so then you need a 3/4″ tap washer which will fit all taps except those with 15mm (5/8″) holes. Unscrew the Valve: Once the handle is off, you should see a brass spindle or valve. Using your adjustable spanner or wrench, unscrew this. Be careful to protect the finish of the tap with a cloth while doing this.Easy Installation: Rubber washers are easy to install and require minimal adjustment, making them a convenient and reliable choice for securing valuable connections. Explore Our Range: Once the handle is off, you can then go about removing the valve itself. It will usually be secured by a nut, which can be loosened with a few turns of a spanner then twisted off by hand. However, nuts can sometimes seize up if not removed for long periods. If this is the case, give it a couple of squirts of penetrative oil to loosen it up, then try twisting it with the spanner again. You can measure your kitchen tap washer size after reading this guide. These washers differ in size, which influences the price. To avoid buying a product that will not fit your kitchen tap, measure it before going shopping. There are many sizes available for the same faucet model. Who hasn't used a few profanities after seeing oil dripping out of a driveshaft or the engine of a chainsaw or strimmer...? Lip seals are designed to seal in oil and are able to withstand fast and repeated rotations. Only a lip seal is able to seal a moving part against a stationary supporting surface (i.e. housing or casing). Silicone Rubber Washers: For applications requiring high-temperature resistance, our silicone rubber washers are the best choice. Silicone rubber offers excellent performance in extreme temperatures, making these washers suitable for thermally intensive industrial conditions. Silicone rubber also has the advantage of having the capacity to be a food safe material, which is useful for food processing plants.