how do I change the washer on a Bristan 1901 basin tap?

Hi Emily - usually the situation is this...under the tap cap there's a smaller hexagon nut that the stem passes through - this is the gland nut and it stops the tap leaking through itself, if you see what I mean. To access the washer though, the larger hexagon nut beneath is the one to undo. Biggish spanner needed - and water turned off, naturally! Cheers John

John
April 2008

thanks John, can you just confirm am I supposed to be unscrewing the screw under the cap?

emily
April 2008

The large hexagon nut needs to be released to access the washer - the whole tap insert then comes out. These are often very tight indeed, and you need a large spanner or other gripper to hold the tap itself while you undo the nut. If the whole tap starts to turn there's a good chance it will leak.

John
April 2008