Abstract: A sealing washer for a tap top assembly of the type including an end housing containing a ceramic disc assembly, and for engagement with a valve seat within a tap body with the sealing washer normally engaging said ceramic disc assembly. The sealing washer is comprised of a ring of resilient compressible material surrounded by a sleeve of rigid material positioned whereby, in use, upon excessive compression of said resiliently compressible material a circumferentially extending flange on the sleeve will engage the end of the housing containing the ceramic disc assembly to retransmit the excessive compressive forces to the housing rather than the ceramic disc assembly.