Help me fix my tap

[Republik]

I bought a new chrome kitchen tap about 10-12 months ago from Brico Depot in France. I'd noticed it had lost pressure about 3 months ago then eventually found a small pin sized hole on the surface where the water would escape from when on.

I obviously couldn't return it for an exchange so I tried to fix the problem. I tried silicone sealer which washed away within a day and then tried superglue along the hole (which is at a corner junction), this worked for 3 months until it wore away and the leak began again.

Last night I tried a leak sealant which hasn't worked so I was going to put another layer of superglue on as a temporary fix. This isn't something I want to be doing every 3 months so I was hoping you guys could offer me a slightly more permanent fix.

Am I wasting my time or should I inevitably go and buy a new tap?

It looks quite similar to this

[Big Al.]

Araldite?

[Republik]

That was what I was thinking. Is it waterproof? I was thinking of this also.
http://www.screwfix.com/search.do;jsessionid=YNG2L...

[Jonboy_t]

Plumbers mait? Kind of a putty consistency that gets spread around the plug hole before putting in the visible metal plug, totally waterproof and pretty good with pressure build up (i.e. at the bottom of a deep filled sink, it still holds itself). not entirely sure if the pressure from a tap might be too much for it though?

I'd only use it if you could get inside/the other side of the hole though, it would be really unsightly if you use it on the outside of the tap and wouldn't function as well I doubt.

[ChrisnChris]

Republik said:

Is it waterproof?

I bonded an aluminium patch onto a leaking petrol tank & that held. So I expect water would be ok.
That was in the late 70's & tbh I can't say how long it lasted, but at least a year....I doubt the formula has been changed much since then.

Araldite is great if everything is scrupulously prepared.

[Republik]

Went to Screwfix at lunch and bought some Araldite Fusion. I'm hoping this should do the trick. Any tips for preperation? It's a chrome tap so probably not sanding. Should I just make sure it is clean and thoroughly dry?

[ChrisnChris]

Can you get to the hole from the inside ?

[Republik]

I highly doubt it. Certainly not with a finger as the tap is too narrow and the hole is too high up.

[Simpo Two]

Big Al. said:

Araldite?

My star pupil

[shirt]

i can't understand from the description where the leak is, but araldite should work. there's also a 2 part putty you can get from b&q etc. used to stop small 'live' leaks in pipe. i used it to fix a leady radiator and its still good with 1.5bar running through.

[Simpo Two]

The problem as I see it is that he can't get to teh inside, so any adhesive is stuck to shiny chrome and being pushed off by high pressure. For a real fix you'd rough it up with some glasspaper first but then it would look ugly.

What about drilling it into a proper hole, tapping it and then Aralditing in a grubscrew etc? Then you have proper mechanical grip.

[Republik]

I've shown an arrow to the location of the leak, only it's on the back on the tap rather than the front.

I'll give this Araldite a go and see what happens.

[Simpo Two]

Make sure the site is totally dry and clean - I find a quick wipe with meths works well. Make sure the Araldite is well mixed and allow it to cure fully as per instructions before trying the tap.

[Republik]

Works a treat. Thanks for the input chaps.

[Big Al.]

Be prepared it might only be a short term fix.

[Dogwatch]

I've used JB Weld very successfully on a tap washer seat - mains pressure forcing itself between the washer and the brass seat had cut a channel across the seat face .