Dripping tap

[Hocksta]

Hello.
I have a old tap that sits alongside the electric and gas meters just inside the front door of my property. I'm guessing that it's an original tap from when the property was built (1930s).
My problem is that the tap has started to drip and the drip seems to be getting faster - I've tried turning the tap but it won't go any further. I've called out a plumber who is coming tomorrow but I was wondering if anyone had any temporary fixes to seal the tap in the meantime.
Any help would be appreciated
thanks

 

[Whitespirit66]

Guessing it's a stop tap. You could try tightening the gland nut (small nut next to spindle). If it's an antique, it may not work if everything is seized.

Failing that, get a bucket under it until your chap arrives. If you're worried about leaving it over night, you could turn the outside stop tap off to limit leaks.

 

[Burnerman]

A curious place to have a tap.....
Anyway, it needs a new rubber washer fitted to it so I'd be inclined just to collect the drip in a container for now. Unless the tap has its own isolator its going to drip until the washer is replaced. If it gets really serious (and it shouldn't unless you fiddle with it), turn off the stopcock to your house.
John

 

[Burnerman]

Never thought of it being a stop tap
Silly me!
Bang on, Mr. Whitespirit
John

 

[Whitespirit66]

It threw me for a while. I could still be wrong. Bristolians can be confusing at times.

So, Mr Hocksta, don't keep us in suspense!

Ian

 

[Hocksta]

Thanks all.
I'm pretty sure it's not a stop-tap. There is however a stop -tap below and this tap feeds off of it. I think the advice about leaving it until tomorrow is probably the best... as it's all a bit antique I wouldn't want to make things worse by trying to fix the problem.
I've cut up an old inner-tube and clamped this over the bottom... this has slowed down the drip so for now this will have to do. All I was wondering was if there was some quick patch-up - like some sort of waterproof tape I could put over it - -probably doesn't exist though

thanks again
Hocksta

 

[Burnerman]

Oh well - a curious place to have a tap
Presumably the stop cock feeding it can't be turned?
Use a piece of flannel or rag wrapped around the tap to 'wick' the drip away into a bucket or similar.
John

 

[Charnwood]

Eeny, meeny, miny, mo:

Stopcock:

Hose union bib tap:

Bib tap:

 

[Hocksta]

It'll be a BIB TAP then...
I shall google one of them now...