2. Not all taps are made the same way so you will have to work out how the handle comes off. In the type shown, you need to unscrew the retaining screw, and pull off the handle. This will expose the headgear nut.

3. Unscrew the tap body cover. If you can’t do this by hand use an adjustable spanner or pipe grips, but protect the chrome with a cloth.

4. Undo the headgear nut using an adjustable spanner. If the nut is difficult to turn, don’t force it or you risk twisting the base of the tap and putting a strain on the inlet pipe. Instead pad around the base of the tap with cardboard and use a pipe wrench to grip it firmly as you apply the necessary force to the nut.

5. Remove the headgear assembly by unscrewing the headgear nut. The washer sits in the jumper and is either pressed in place, often over a small button, or retained by a nut. If necessary, unscrew the nut holding the washer in place with an adjustable spanner. Prise out the old washer; you can use a screwdriver to dig it out if necessary.

6. Insert a new washer and push it down into the jumper. Reassemble the tap in the same sequence. Apply a little silicone grease to the threads on the base of the headgear assembly before reinserting it in the tap body.

Valve seat damage
If a tap carries on dripping even with a new washer, then the valve seating is probably eroded. This can be repaired with a special grinding tool or – much more easily – with a washer and seating set. The plastic seat fits into the existing metal seat, and a washer-and-jumper unit fits on the headgear. The sooner you replace a washer, the less likely the valve seating is to get damaged.

Painting

How many years since you tackled the decorating? If it’s been a while, you will be staggered (not to mention confused) by the variety of paint types and colours now on the market. Not only are paints from the quality manufacturers odourless, but they are easy to apply, fast-drying and the finishes are specific to the purpose. Colour ranges are huge and for some jobs, with some paints, you only need one coat.

Washable paint surfaces are the obvious choice for homes where young children live. On the other hand, some paints mimic textures such as suede (Crown’s Suede emulsion range in 12 shades); others have an extra matt finish which, combined with ‘microspheres’, actually make the walls warm to the touch (Crown Indulgence Luxury Flat Matt range) – probably not the best choice where sticky fingers might be tempted.

What finish?
Before you consider your colour scheme, choose your finish. Matt looks terrific but marks easily – would vinyl silk be a better choice, especially for a busy hallway or your staircase area? Manufacturers such as Dulux have vastly increased their colour range for paints that are suitable for steamy kitchens and bathrooms (1,200 through their colour mixing service). Or maybe you want to revamp your bathroom tiles without retiling? Choose a tile paint – they are much improved over those of five or ten years ago.

Painting your radiators the same colour as the walls helps to disguise them, but don’t make the mistake of using the same matt emulsion, which will chip easily. Get the identical shade in something like Dulux Satinwood or Crown Non-Drip Satin, which are easy to use, more subtle than gloss, need no undercoat and can be applied directly over old gloss paint after preparation.