How to Fix a Leaking Tap | DIY with Curran Plumbing & Jason Hodges

A leaking tap is one of the most common home plumbing issues, draining your money on wasted water and plumbers’ fees. Today, we learn how to fix a leaking tap with former Better Homes and Gardens host Jason Hodges. Check out the rest of our series on DIY home repairs, teaching you step-by-step how to fix your plumbing problems and saving you the cost of call out fees and plumber quotes.
For more DIY plumbing advice and tips, visit www.curranplumbing.com.au

[@TraderBrando]

Saved me some money today. We couldn't turn the tap off this morning in the bathroom sink. This video, a quick trip to Bunnings and its sorted. Thank you for the lesson!

[@nehaletta77]

What a great job he does. But it was sad that better homes & gardens on channel7 cut him of. They lose a great worker on there.

[@conradblight1361]

Genius video, thanks and bloody right, you should be on TV.

[@curranplumbingandelectrical]

Appreciate it, Conrad!

[@rwd0000]

Outstanding demonstration. Well done. You should be working on TV :)

[@billylyf6995]

😂

[@mikevk4qs]

Hi Jas, Mike here, Electrician by Trade, Great Vid, Got the job done perfectly, Top Advice Mate, Thanks a Million.

[@curranplumbingandelectrical]

No problem 👍

[@damienr5554]

Breathes like a Dad!

[@__PJ__]

Mouth breather, too many darts and pies !!

[@user-qy5bk8ci8w]

Nothing to do with the beer​@@__PJ__

[@__PJ__]

@@user-qy5bk8ci8w How would you know, have you followed him on Better homes & Gardens ? Or actually seen him at the local shops sucking down a pie and a chocolate milk for breakfast ?? Go away Muppet, I never mentioned the word Beer check your facts.......

[@undiscoveredbulliesaus3566]

Thank you. This video helped me fix a leaky kitchen tap. Appreciate it 👍

[@tarquinvangundy1169]

This was awesome, used today to walk me through the process thank you

[@jehutia]

Simple and clear instructions!

[@curranplumbingandelectrical]

Thanks, @jehutia! Glad we could help ☺

[@TreePyth0n]

I’m not a man’s man, but I’ve always loved this bloke

[@MrLaChien]

Thank you I have always loved you so down to Earth and get to the point.

[@fookriver]

Great video, all I need now is a chequered shirt.

[@peejayq]

Thank you very easy to follow for someone who isn’t handy at all. Thank you

[@TanyaandGreg]

Very helpful, our taps were a lot 'gunkier' and the base a lot harder to remove -- we followed another tip which suggested pouring boiling water on them and that worked a treat. Now after putting up with the drip for months, we are drip free...

[@tropicalhouse8424]

Thanks HEAPS for that tip. The one I had wouldn't turn at all and a plumber quoted me $200 to come out and fix it. The boiling water trick worked an absolute treat and I managed to fix it myself once I got that removed. I totally owe you for that one!

[@Murgatroydian]

Ooh! Going to try this. Managed to undress it down to the spindle but can't seem to turn that at all. Might help if I had the right tool too.

[@markmeacham6360]

Good share, cheers Jason and Curran

[@alfalders3020]

Spot on. Ripper clip. All the best 👍

[@jamespedreschi1887]

You saved me a fortune. Thanks!

[@melbournebeauty1566]

great work. Thank you so much. we fixed our washroom tap from this vidio . Thank u so muchhh

[@joewen5267]

Waited more than a few months .. great helpful video thank you.

[@curranplumbingandelectrical]

Happy to help, Jo!

[@katharineshade9550]

Thank you so much, I did it! Although there was only 1 little rubber ring on the cold tap, not two. But it worked! Unfortunately I can’t do the hot tap as I can’t unscrew the tap fixture, and I can’t get purchase on it with a wrench as it is too somooth.

[@chorcor888]

underrated video. Thank you for sharing!

[@curranplumbingandelectrical]

Thanks for your comment, @chorcor888!

[@Nick-hx1uz]

Love this mate it reminded my of Coxys Big Break for some reason

[@akhancj9]

That was great mate 🙏

[@acecarver3688]

Thanks Jason

[@ninong2493]

Very nice clip. Great instruction. Thanks.

[@curranplumbingandelectrical]

You are welcome!

[@divinegoddesstsa5324]

Thanks for sharing

[@Cleav727]

Spot on, this was great.

[@curranplumbingandelectrical]

Thanks, Louis! Happy to help 😊

[@monkeyzeetube]

thank you very much mate!!

[@nealbarton7434]

Great video! My cover is seized on. Gonna try the hot water tip some commenters have suggested

[@curranplumbingandelectrical]

Cheers, Neal! Good luck, hopefully you can get it sorted 😊

[@internetfreeforever2046]

Thanks a bunch !!!!

[@danielgreason5371]

A great help, thanks!

[@curranplumbingandelectrical]

Glad we can help, Daniel! ☺

[@chefjerin]

really helpful

[@johngrundy8285]

Thanks legend!

[@mademoisellem3529]

Thank you. It all worked well until I needed a pipe wrench to get the cold tap flange off. Another trip to the hardware store. But all done now, and no drips!

[@curranplumbingandelectrical]

Excellent! Glad this video helped :)

[@bob6267]

Nice one

[@gavinfoster9118]

Hi Jason What is the tool called that cleans out the gunk in the spindle? Cheers Gavin

[@benalexander9669]

How do you know what sizes of washers and gaskets?

[@Johnnwho]

Thanks for that!

[@curranplumbingandelectrical]

Happy we could help!

[@jackyker6163]

I'm finding this video extremely helpful right now. Although, can anyone tell me what the pink/red bit is on the spindle? Is it plumbers tape or something else? Do I need to apply plumbers tape at all to any part of the tap? As there was no tape on any of it when I took it apart just before & want to make sure either way before I finish the tap (hopefully soon so I can turn the water back on)

[@MalcolmGordonliveshere]

champion!

[@kweizi5712]

Brilliant! Thank you for showing this. The only thing different was my tap only takes 1 of those small black rubber washers.

[@katharineshade9550]

Ditto.

[@LisKawatiri]

I don’t have the tops to unscrew on top of the taps, how to you do it in this scenario, please

[@ClintWoolly]

Could you do a leaking faucet video?

[@containsbromelain9371]

Thank you so much! Just a question, are the rubber things a 'one size fits all'? Or do taps differ?

[@curranplumbingandelectrical]

Hi! The rubber, or tap valve, does vary in size depending on where you live. If you take the old part into your local hardware store they should be able to find you the same size.

[@MaretaNuia-wl6jd]

Love. I can’t do that. It’s too complicated. Can you come to Tasmania please and do that for me??

[@katharineshade9550]

Give it a go!😊

[@andreagnew]

Thank you! Sadly, the 'bell' shaped fitting just under the tap handle, is almost glued in place. How can I turn it loose (a wrench/spanner can't grip onto anything).

[@curranplumbingandelectrical]

Hi Andre! Unfortunately this can happen when gunk collects at the fitting, causing the fitting to stick and pulling with a wrench or spanner may scratch up your taps. In this case, we recommend getting in touch your local professionals for help. For anyone living in the Wollongong, Shoalhaven, Illawarra and Sutherland Shire regions of NSW, that's us! For more info head to our website: callcurran.com.au

[@jocknarn3225]

Thx 4 that. What’s the name of that (reaming) tool that clears out the gunk?

[@699hazard]

That's a tap

[@philipandrew1626]

@@699hazard a tap tap.

[@davidcai1133]

Hey mate, if the base of the tap is stuck, what's the best way to unscrew it?

[@wo16]

Wrench

[@munch15a]

the tiny o rings that fit on the shaft do they have a specific name or size ?

[@curranplumbingandelectrical]

Hi! The o-rings that appear at 3:37 don't really have a specific name, just tap o-rings. For taps, all o-rings should be 8mm. Let us know if you have any other questions!

[@KableZurogg]

I got to the end of the video and I can still hear dripping, this did not fix my leaking tap.

[@sardonicnihilist5955]

What's that pink-red stuff on the long bit? Does that also need to be replaced?

[@curranplumbingandelectrical]

Hi! I think you may be referring to the teflon tape aka plumbers tape. In this situation the tape was used as a temporary solution to minimise the leaking. After fixing the leaky taps as shown, you should be able to remove the tape completely ☺

[@sardonicnihilist5955]

@@curranplumbingandelectrical thanks, I bought a 'kit' which is supposed to have everything I need to fix a leaky tap

[@heraay]

I can't unscrew the the watcher around the main pin.... what can't I use?

[@curranplumbingandelectrical]

Hi @heraay, is your tapware on the older side? It's hard to say without checking it out in person, but sometimes tap components may get stuck due to a build-up of gunk/debris/rust, especially with older taps. You can try and clean this build-up but you might cause more damage. If you're not feeling confident, we recommend leaving it to the professionals and calling your local plumber. For anyone based in the Illawarra, Wollongong, Shoalhaven or Sutherland Shire of NSW Australia - that's us! 1300 792 082

[@MuscleArtist]

But what do you do when the water won't turn off at the mains? So leaving all taps on in the house to drop the pressure down enough, I had to do it with some water coming from the hot tap I was working on. Not a big proble OK, washer replaced, tap reassembled it does not leak any more, YAY 😀 But, regardless of whether I turn on the hot tap or cold tap, I now get leaking around the base of the hot tap. Oh joy 😐

[@curranplumbingandelectrical]

Hi! That is really awesome that you were able to follow the video, well done! Give us a call at 1300 792 082 and depending on your location we can get one of our plumbers to come out and fix the leaky tap. - The Curran Team

[@Jam2pou2000]

Was this underneath in the cupboard? I have the same issue

[@RyNatEmpire]

how do you get the taps off if they are definitely not hand tight 😬

[@curranplumbingandelectrical]

Hi @RyNatEmpire! It's hard to say without checking it out in person, but sometimes tap components may get stuck due to a build-up of gunk/debris/rust, especially with older taps. A wrench may be helpful here, but be careful of scratching up the metal. If you're not feeling confident, we recommend leaving it to the professionals and calling your local plumber. For anyone based in the Illawarra, Wollongong, Shoalhaven or Sutherland Shire of NSW Australia - that's us! 1300 792 082

[@ChatGPTeeh]

it be great if we could see whatnu doing

[@Wowwwzaaa]

Why does your shifter look different to mine? You’re looks slimmer/pointy

[@curranplumbingandelectrical]

Hi @letsbehonest3949! Adjustable shifters come in all different shapes and sizes. Us plumbers usually have a few different sizes on hand but this may be unnecessary for the average home owner. Even if your shifter doesn't look exactly like ours, you should be able to use it the same way 😊

[@hangcool]

Been trying to get the washer.. i just cant get the damm thing off..so t ight

[@curranplumbingandelectrical]

Is that the rubber washer you're struggling with, @hangcool? If at any point this DIY isn't going as smoothly for you as it is for Jason, you can always ring up your local plumber who will have all the right tools to get the job done 😊 If you're in Wollongong, the Shoalhaven or Sutherland Shire of NSW Australia, you can get one of our plumbers in! Reach us on 1300 792 082 📞

[@hangcool]

Hi there, thanks for the reply. Not sure what is called but its the brass spindle assembly after you remove the cover. Have tried using a socket wrench and also sprayed some wd40. I would use more force but I'm afraid it will twist the copper pipes underneath.

[@curranplumbingandelectrical]

@@hangcool Gotcha! Our guess would be that the part has become stuck due to a build up of gunk over time. You're right to be cautious about trying to wrench it too hard - there is the risk that you may do more harm than good by twisting the pipes or doing damage to the thread. It's hard to give too much advice without seeing the issue in person, but you could try giving the spindle a clean, even just with some hot water. This is definitely when we'd recommend calling in a plumber, however.

[@mr-iz8cx]

An education in wok clothes too. Not bad 👍

[@cheryltebbutt8917]

oh no! I should not have gone MODERN! now there is a leak & it will be expensive, I dont have the tools & ability to do what he is doing.

[@__PJ__]

Great work J=Dog, worst thing BHAG did was get rid of you and the smiley curly haired dude.. I've barded the show since and that host griggs just keeps getting bigger and bigger !! lol

[@Mungusmilgy]

Some heavy breathing asmr

[@christyrrell6926]

Not helpful

[@hescertiiauslan2086]

Thanks legend!