If you have arthritis or your tap keeps dripping this post is for you. My wife and I have had to use a wrench to turn the garden taps on and off just to stop them from dripping and wasting water. I tried all sorts of tap washers and most only lasted a short time in the sun before the drip starts again. We have a tap either side of the house and I decided to get a new tap to see if a better model cured the dripping. I found just by chance a tap that had a ceramic insert instead of a normal washer. You could turn it on and off in half a turn with just a light touch of the fingers. I use a garden tap either full on or full off and so this seemed ideal if it was no-drip.
I like to do simple plumbing jobs around the house and I am quite good at it, better than some plumbers in fact. Its not too different to making microwave wave guides. If you want to DIY then this is what you need: One garden tap with ceramic insert; reel of thread seal tape (plumbers tape) the different colours denote different grades, I use grey; pipe wrench (Stilson) to unscrew/screw-up tap; adjustable spanner to secure wall connection (relieves pressure on soldered joint behind wall). Make sure your wrench and spanner will fit.
Before starting warn household the water is being turned off and provide a kettle of water for making a beverage. Ask all to use toilet before you start. When ready turn off water. Turn garden tap on to allow water to drain out and make life easier.
Use the spanner to hold the wall fitting steady (don't turn the spanner just hold it steady) and with the wrench turn the tap in an anti-clockwise direction (lefty loosy righty tighty ). If the tap has been secured with tape it should be easy to turn, if pipe-dope was used and it was long ago it may be harder to turn.
Clean off the gunk from the exposed thread on the wall fitting, a wire brush and a finger works for me.
Now prepare the new tap. Hold the tap in your left hand and wind the plumbers tape onto the thread in a clockwise direction. Butt the tape up against the tap end of the thread, the width of the tape allows two threads to be seen at the open end. Use your thumb to hold the tape when starting. Wind on the tape from 6 to 10 turns, making sure the tape is flat, and then break the tape from the roll with a quick pull. Smooth the loose end down over the threads.
Screw the tap in a clockwise direction (righty tighty) onto the wall fitting by hand until it becomes snug. Using the spanner and wrench as above, tighten the tap until it starts to bind and stop when the tap is vertical but not upside down.
Turn the water back on and inspect the tap for any leaks. Turn the tap on and allow the air to exhaust from the water pipes, stand back as you may get wet. Flush the toilets, they may fart at you but ignore them. You may have to exhaust the washbasin taps as well as the noisy expelling of air frightens small children.
Put away tools and clean up any mess.
The next task requires an OzTrail CoolBoy Chair and a cool beverage. I have to have no/low alcohol beer because alcohol interferes with my meds. Install the chair in the garden and place the beverage in the drink holder. Ask supervisor (wife?) to inspect job and test tap. It will pass inspection won't it? Enjoy a well earned drink.
All the above hardware items can be purchased from Bunnings
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