The taps on the bathroom sink are constantly leaking under the sink, around the tap fitting and from the tap itself, even after replacing the washers. I was told I need to replace the olive but don't know where it is, what it looks like or how to do it. Can anyone PLEASE offer this useless woman some advice?

DIY wannabe, February 2008

The tap washers are not responsible for water leaks, I'm afraid. Unfortunately the only way without seeing it is to remove the tap nut connectors, these are under the sink and the last brass nut which connects the copper to the tap, inside their there are fibre washers and these are most often the problem, something you might try is if the water is running down the tap and onto the basin, or when using the basin excess water is flowing between the tap and where the tap goes through the basin, hope this is of some use to you, however I think you are going to have to call somebody in. Good Luck.

Dave C, February 2008

The tap washers are not responsible for water leaks, I'm afraid. Unfortunately the only way without seeing it is to remove the tap nut connectors, these are under the sink and the last brass nut which connects the copper to the tap, inside their there are fibre washers and these are most often the problem, something you might try is if the water is running down the tap and onto the basin, or when using the basin excess water is flowing between the tap and where the tap goes through the basin, hope this is of some use to you, however I think you are going to have to call somebody in. Good Luck.

Dave C, February 2008