I've seen many of the "Fix it yourself" manuals, but since I don't have the tools and very inexperienced, I figured I might as well just let a plumber do it.
How much would I be looking at? I tried to get a quote from one of the Google search results, it says $99. Is it too high, or about right? I live about 15km away from Sydney CBD.
One with two knobs, the hot and the cold knobs. It's the basin in my bathroom. I live in an apartment, it's the tap that comes with it.
as long as you can turn off the mains water. then with a shifter and replacement washers then it's easy to replace. youtube it.
Sometimes there is a shut off tap under the basin, in the cupboard.
If not.. just turn off the water supply, undo the top of the tap with a shifter and replace the washer. Easy as tying shoe laces.
Got a neighbour, family or friend that could do it? You will find most people have done it.
@xywolap: that's as long as they aren't the ceramic cartridge type. If the taps are quarter or half turn, as in they only turn half or quarter of a revolution and come to a rigid stop, they will not have washers but a ceramic cartridge. The cartridges tend to be very brand specific and not something you will often find at a big green shed hardware store. I took some old ones into a plumbing supplies place and they couldn't help, I ended up with new taps… with washers in them.
Otherwise, yes, changing a tap washer is easy and a handyman should be able to do the job, a pumber is not required. I think the plumbing laws even a low that it is a DIY job.
@Euphemistic:
Yep… allowed for general handyman to do. Be cheaper than getting a $$$$ plumber $$$.
Make sure your spindles are turned fully open when refitting the tap and slap on a little plumbers tape.
Dead easy, and you can do 6 taps for $5. For $99 + 1 hour the plumber will do your whole house.
Do you think the $99 quote is reasonable, or should I keep looking for lower price?
This would come down to what really needs to be fixed, however I would say $99 is a bit too much from experience? There have times where I have just headed over to Bunnings and asked the relevant employee for help, 8/10 I have been able to fix the problems from the advice given? Try that too if it may help your situation :)
$99 is fair, you do need to pay for his time.
I would expect $99+ 1 hour (maybe $60)
Gumtree, but ensure they are a licensed plumber and some ads will have feedback you can review first too.
I did mine for the first time, never done any plumbing. Just used a shifting spanner. It was so easy it was fun.
I have not tried it myself but I know airtasker is taking off. You can take pics and set a price and see if you get traction. www.airtasker.com
Thanks, I used them a few times, but just thought with plumbing I want the licensed ones.
cool
Is there a reason you require a licensed plumber? Changing tap washers is not really an intrusive task, ie there is no cutting or joining of lines, just removing the tap spindle, and replacing the washer.
For brass washers, with an easy/soft turn, you are looking at just under $6. if you don't have the tools, then a tap spanner (and re-seater) can be had for $25.
If you own the apartment then it is worth getting a set of tap spanners; I would also recommend getting a six pack of tap washers. If you rent, then this falls under maintenance by the landlord.
As above comments, there may be an isolation tap at the wall, so use those to isolate. However, I have replaced taps in an apartment block a few times and on a couple of occasions there was only an isolation for the cold water for a block of apartments on the same floor, so would need to advise all affected apartments prior to switching the tap off. So my advice would be, if you are in an older set of apartments, check your isolations before attempting the job yourself.
So a few that I've used to date:
OneFlare - all licensed tradies and such - but the price variances are massive - but 99 AUD is most reasonable starting point you'd find. Sources about 3 quotes from tradies and then provides them with your contact details - you can keep the job open as long as you want. Have used previously and it was a bit hit and miss at times - quotes varied wildly and I always sensed that I wasn't necessarily getting the best deal.
AirTasker - have used for 2 household chores (water and electrical) - both ended up being licensed trades guys. Similar task as described by the OP - only took 50 bucks and ended up replacing both at no extra cost (was local as well only 5 mins away). Very knowledgable and explained how to do stuff for myself and said gave a list of the items I'd need. Lots of detail and the system works well from a user perspective.
Calling plumbers - if you have time - drop a few emails and videos via their contact pages and see what the offers are like. Sometimes you can haggle a bit and get a reasonable quote.
HIPages - somewhat similar to OneFlare - haven't had any experience but anecdotally have heard the experience is somewhat similar to OneFlare - all over the place in terms of quotes and it's a gamble in terms of service and quality.
We are in Melbourne so perhaps the experience is quite different but we have always had a good immediate response from tradespeople who advertise in HI Pages. When it comes down to getting quotes etc it can be a bit hit and miss but at least we get responses to our enquiries so we can make a start on the process - which is more than I can say for just calling random tradespeople from the local paper.
If you want cheap, try gumtree/saturday classifieds or ask a friend for a reference.
Plumbers big enough to have a website and a callout service will usually charge an arm and a leg just for checking out the problem
I think this is great advice.
Also. Exlplain very clearly in advance what the problem is. Changing a tap for OP might be a massive pain but for a plumber it's literally their bread and butter so they might charge the minimum fee as they know it's going to be a 5 minute job.
Send photos of your specific tap with your application to the jobs so they can prepare the parts if nessecery
Hipages - you spec what you are looking for, plumbers give you quotes, you choose.
This or service seeking
If it's just a dripping tap, it most likely will be a washer needs replacing. Do yourself a favour and watch a YouTube video on how to fix it. $99 is too much to do this job in any language. You'll only need one cheap tool and a new washer.
I've taught myself heaps from You Tube, even in the last few months I've learned how to change my own car battery, install a new door, and install laminate flooring. It's home electricals I'd never mess with where you should always get a licenced person.
Is there a Youtube channel specifically for these?, I'd like to learn and would always be good to have that knowledge
Mostly I search specifically for what I am wanting to do, but a good channel with a fun presenter is Uncle Knackers who will teach you some things.
Thanks for this. Now bookmarked :D
Have a go at fixing it yourself. I have done two here with no prior experience and it felt really good afterwards. The more you fix things yourself, the more confidence you develop in fixing other things around the house and end up saving heaps of $$$ in years to come, while gaining heaps of experience to pass on to others.
Remember how it goes together as you take it apart. Once you get it apart you'll clearly see the deteriorated component.
The one thing you might need is a larger spanner / adjustable spanner. Some taps have decorative covers which screw off to get to everything to start the job.
I always do it myself, but $99 from a plumber seems cheap to me. If that is for both taps then go for it.
How much is your time worth? You can probably get a cheaper quote than $99, but not much. You may have to spend a few hours researching and getting extra quotes. I have heard of plumbers who charge $150 just for the callout fee. If I were you, I will just pay the $99.
If you choosing between plumber or DIY, There are pros and cons to you getting it done via plumber or DIY:
DIY Pros:
1. You learn something new.
2. You save money, washer packs are a few dollars + cheapest wrench set is $20 @ Bunnings. You may need also a ratchet if your taps are the old style taps with plastic knobs.
3. If there are anymore taps to be replaced, you will know how to do it.
4. Plumbers can be unreliable. https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/259974
DIY Cons:
1. It is hard for a novice to know how tight the connections should be. Too tight, you risk stripping the threads, too loose and water will leak.
2. It may take up hours of your time researching on youtube and talking to people at Bunnings.
3. If you find that you need more parts or tools halfway through, you may have to make multiple trips to Bunnings.
Or you could do a combination of both. Try it yourself, if it gets too hard, then call in a plumber? :)
DIY cons
1) You'd have to be an absolute idiot to strip the threads! - tighten until there's no leaks!
2) Have you ever done the job?
It takes 5 minutes including going to the shed to get tools and find a washer.. might take 15 for an absolute beginner including watching a 5 minute Youtube video
3) OP will need to go to the hardware store to buy washers anyway. Watch the youtube video before going and make a shopping list.. Ideally take the disassembled tap with you.
Are you asking me? Yes I have replaced my taps/washers before. I was an absolute beginner, and still am. I am sure it is very obvious to you that it is not easy to strip the threads, but I started the way you said, watch youtube videos. The ones that I have watched ALL said to be careful not to strip the threads. I am just passing that along. I am sure it is just like how food products has "May contain traces of nuts" on the label to cover their behind.
As a beginner, it is hard to judge how much force I should put into screwing the taps back on. I erred on the side of caution, it took me a couple of gos to get the tightness just right. My water switch is outside my house near the road so I had to run back and forth a few times.
The OP says he is very inexperienced and don't have many tools. What happened to me was, I undid the knob on my tap, then I realised that my tap is bellshaped undeneath and I needed a multigrip wrench to remove the spindle, which I didn't have. So, I had to make a trip down to Bunnings. There seems to be a few variations in the type and sizes of taps so there is no way to be absolutely sure that you have everything you need before you start. Sometimes you might need another tool like me, or in another time I tried changing my taps, I needed a bigger sized wrench than what I had. Youtube videos don't tell you what size wrench to get. Now I own about 4 different sized wrenches. :)
If the property is a rental it's the landlord's / property manager's responsibility. I had to do one for our new tenant yesterday.
The taps with a bell-shaped base are a big problem. They have a circular base with no gripping points. If you use multigrip pliers they will cut into the chrome.
Several years ago I asked at an expert plumbing supplies store if there was a dedicated tool to open these. I envisaged something with a rubber lined, bell-shaped opening that would grip the entire surface. They said there wasn't anything.
I use multigrips with a piece of bicycle tyre tube or a ring cut out of a plastic bottle.
The other problem is getting the handle off the ones that have a threaded ring under the handle with two opposite slots. They come with a tool that looks like your hand with palm upwards and two hooked fingers. They are very flimsy and bend when you apply any force.
The expert plumbing supplies store gave (as in free) me one made out of stainless steel that came with more upmarket taps rather than the el cheapo taps I have to deal with. I have seen pliers with pins at right angles on the tips that should do the job.
If it's an older property the seat for the washer may have become eroded so even if you put in a new washer it won't fix the problem. You can try one of the washers that have a rubber hemisphere on them that inflates to fill the gap. As a last resort you can get a tool that files the seat.
One of my favourite tenant tricks is when they turn the non-turning arched spigot over the bathroom sink. I warn them about this in the lease property user's manual and I point it out to them during the handover and I have a sign on the wall. If they still bend it and it leaks / breaks it's their responsibility to pay for the repair though I usually do it because if they don't get it done you end up with a stink in the cabinet below.
Those bell shapes should have only been done up hand tight. So really you should be able to unscrew them with your hands. Give then a light tap with a shifter or hammer to loosen the thread.
Also be sure to check there's not a little allen key screw at the back of the bell holding it in place.
You could also consider a Handyman, they are usually far cheaper per hour than a plumber (the Naomi Campbells of the trades).
As others have said, this is a fairly basic job, but if you're not handy yourself then you might do more damage than you fix, and it might genuinely be more cost effective to just get someone who knows precisely what they're doing & has the right tools for the job to just be done with it.
If you are in a rented apartment then it's not your problem-it is your landlord's.
Thank God I can do it myself.
But if I had to pay $99 just to replace the washers, I'll replace the whole set with a quarter turn ceramic disc set such as https://www.bunnings.com.au/mondella-wels-3-star-9l-min-chro… 10 year warranty
These will last a long time and they are so easy to turn on and off. Best thing is that you can't over-tighten it so it doesn't wear out the washer.
You can also buy just the ceramic disc tap spindle, or with the levers if you want to keep the existing levers and/or spout.
Ceramic disc type taps don't necessarily last a long time, especially the cheap ones. My mother in law had several replaced in her unit, in less than I would expect a washer type tap to be replaced.
Make sure you get a reputable brand if you do get them, if you don't you might not be able to get the cartridges when they do fail and you'll end up replacing the lot again.
Perhaps, I can't comment for all Ceramic disc taps but if they are willing to provide a 10 year warranty, then safe to say, it should be a fairly decent product.
Hold on, are you talking about Ceramic disc 1/4 or 1/2 turn levers/wall tops or Ceramic disc flick mixers?
Both types, but was talking about 1/4 or 1/2 type in the post above. I've had 2 flick mixers replaced under warranty as well as the taps in my previous post.
I haven't had any issues with 1/4 or 1/2 turn levers. Usually they are simple, however, getting replacement spindles aren't difficult as the width of the spindle are universal, it's only the height that you need to note.
I've had issues with ceramic disc cartridges found in mixers.
I'm prepared for negs.
How do people have/do their jobs and not be prepared to research then maybe learn such simple tasks.
How do they react when their boss gives then a new task to perform? Do they tell their boss they can't do it? Or do they learn it? Just boggles me.
Some people have been trained that you call a 'pro' for anything that is outside your own training. The have also learned in their life that you don't fix stuff, you get a new one. My neighbour freely admitted he is useless for DIY and calls a handyman to 'hang a picture on the wall' - he's not dumb either, he is a dr. Some people are too afraid to have a go too.
Personally I dislike paying for things I can have a crack at myself, I learned that from my father, and his father etc. I'll give pretty much anything outside electrical work a try and have learned that Google and YouTube can help you fix pretty much anything if you are willing to try, and trust that your hands can manage the tool s and techniques your head says will work.
Pretty much this. I love to diy. But first I will watch YouTube videos and assess whether or not I can follow the instructions and complete a job.
Saves me a fortune, and I feel smarter for learning something outside my job.
I also have met a lot of people with masters degrees that know nothing outside their profession.
Maybe it's just something about learning something new that makes it worthwhile for us diyers.
I am not sure of the circumstances for OP.
I am quite good at DIY.
A couple of years back Rented a car from hertz only to see the low type pressure light coming up after 2 hrs.
I called hertz and explained that the low tyre pressure light and also told them i dont see any issues with the tyre pressure and can I continue driving. They said they would send out roadside assistant to check. had to wait for about 2 hrs before RACV showed up only to confirm my hunch that the sensor was probably wrong as the trye was not loosing air.
If it was my car I would not have bothered much unless the tyre was getting low on air. But since it was an rental and I did not want to get into trouble for damaging a run flat tyre!…
Tricky when it's someone else's property. Silly for them to make you wait for air tyre pressure that any gauge could tell you.
Let me know if you need a reliable plumber. He is great and very reasonable.
I dunno how that comment warrants a neg…finding a plumber with those two qualities is like finding a Unicorn…a silver one…that lays golden eggs! ;)
Thanks Stewyballs! X
I go to my toolbox
I learned everything from YouTube, and now I have skills for life. I use hipages for pest and building inspections, air con installs, heavy duty plumbing etc, and every time I've given the job to the first person that's contacted me (pure laziness). They usually go in low due to the 3 quote system.
never heard of hipages.
what if you dont like any of the three quotes, can you not choose any?
Yep, no obligation
do you rent, if so its up to the owner to fix.
Even if you rent if you know how it is easier to do it yourself. If you've got the gear Then a washer is a couple of bucks and hardly worth the time of dealing with an agent, then arranging for the handyman to get into your place to fix it.
Yep, that's true but OP is wanting to get a plumber in.
It's not rocket surgery; get a washer replacement kit from bunnings and diy like any self-respecting able-bodied man, or woman…
If you're renting, get your landlord to do it.
Its standard for a plumbers rate.
Yes it is expensive but that's how much they charge.
OP have you considered nrma home assist if your really not comfortable in diy?
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/134226
Although after further google search product review has a very low score. Still an option for you
You've got to ask yourself, "Do I really need to fix the drip?"
At 4L/day = 0.004kL/day with water costing say $1/kL it takes 250 days to cost $1 so it will take 68 years to recoup the cost of the repair.
If the drip sound bothers you tie a length of string around the tap to guide the water down into the drain.
Drip rate 4 L/day
0.004 kL/day
Water cost $1.00 /kL
Cost/day $0.004 $/day
0.4 cents/day
Days to cost $1 250 days
Fix $99
Payback 24750 days
Days/year 365
Payback 68 years
Find me someone who's put up with a dripping tap for 68 years and I'll give you 0.4 cents/day for 100 years.
If its just washers than each tap shud cost $30-40 And if spindals than it cud b $100 each.
Try gumtee or get quote from ServiceSeeking.
I strongly recommend licensed plumbers only and they can be little bit expensive but they are better.
Thank you!
Tried Service Seeking for plumbers a few times. Too many no-shows, I guess because they had enough work, quoted the next person higher and that person accepted.
Well thats nt good. Complaint to service seeking.
Are you sure that's Ozbargain prices? I paid about $30 for a pair of spindles which included taps and washers at Bunnings.
I am telling the cost which includes Plumber's charges as well.
Ah, that makes sense then.
As easy as every one is saying it can be hard at times! Getting the tap of can be a pain some times. Some taps have no place to fit a spanner and you should be able to hand loosen most fittings but with time they become stuck and hard to get of. Same with taps they may be hard to get of! You can damage the piping by using to much force! Washers come in different sizes if your tap is picky they may not work properly if you buy the wrong sizes. Lots of issues with people being hypocritical here!
I am a DIYer but you have to learn and that may include breaking stuff until you learn properly!
Replace the washer yourself
Hijacking this post, both my outdoor taps leak from the base of the vertical handle.
I want to replace the washer myself, does the mains need to be turned off for this also?
Sure does!
Thanks, weekend job sorted!
Leak when turned on? You might need more than a washer, from memory there is another seal on the spindle that might need doing too.
Yep, only when turned on, I think you might be right, I was planning on just replacing all the washers/orings but looking at videos it seems they differ a fair bit, would I be ablt to find them at Bunnings you reckon?
@mezje: should be able to find a tap spares kit there. It is a 'normal' DIY thing and shouldn't require any special bits.
Duh! Unless you want a fountain in your back yard.
Why not go into Google search > they will tell & show you how to fix simple things.
of course you need to buy some tools for it But its worth.
what sort of taps do you have?