Leaking kitchen mixer tap
Discussion
Can anyone help with a problem I have with my kitchen tap?
It has started leaking where the top rotating part meets the main bit of the tap (please see pic). It only happens when the cold is turned on and then the water starts to trickle out. The hot side is fine.
IS it possible to remove the top part of the tap? I found a small screw at the back of the tap and removed this but that doesn't seem to have made any difference.
So far I've managed to switch off the water supply to the tap but that's as far as my plumbing knowledge goes!
It has started leaking where the top rotating part meets the main bit of the tap (please see pic). It only happens when the cold is turned on and then the water starts to trickle out. The hot side is fine.
IS it possible to remove the top part of the tap? I found a small screw at the back of the tap and removed this but that doesn't seem to have made any difference.
So far I've managed to switch off the water supply to the tap but that's as far as my plumbing knowledge goes!
jas xjr said:
If it was me I would just swap the tap for a new one. Toolstation have quite a decent looking one which would be a straight swap for £27
This, many taps are made from poor quality metal and as such a lot of the old fixes you'd do for a tap probably wont work. Since most taps use a cassette type valve now they don't need brass seats so aren't made to the best quality!Did the screw look as though it would interlock with something, in which case you may just need to be firmer and pull the spout straight up.
Alternatively is the bit just above your arrow a collar? It may be screwed in place and just need a firm grip to unscrew.
I wouldn't choose throwing away as the first option, it's just wasteful, although it may be what you have to do in the end.
Alternatively is the bit just above your arrow a collar? It may be screwed in place and just need a firm grip to unscrew.
I wouldn't choose throwing away as the first option, it's just wasteful, although it may be what you have to do in the end.
Edited by herewego on Thursday 22 September 13:58
herewego said:
Did the screw look as though it would interlock with something, in which case you may just need to be firmer and pull the spout straight up.
Gingerbread Man said:
Screw should undo which secures neck in. But there's normally two O rings which will be a tight fit. So should pull straight out but will be tight.
Yep, I did manage to pull it out in the end. I couldn't see any reason for it to leak and it's weird that it only does it from the cold tap (although there is much higher pressure on the cold).I put it back together but it's still the same and at the same time water is dripping down into the cupboard underneath as well after the tap's been run. And when the cold tap is turned on there is a couple of seconds delay before the water comes out as if the water is draining back somewhere.
Sounds like you might have overly high pressure on the incoming main. If you can get to the incoming main easily, it might be wise to fit a Pressure Reducing Valve (PRV). It'll protect everything from high pressure e.g. dish washer, washing machine, taps. You won't notice the difference when using it, but it may save another tap going wrong.
As for the water dripping down into the cupboard, I guess it's building up around the base of the tap where it comes out of the sink due to the leaking joint on the tap? There should be a washer between the tap and sink to stop water going down the tap mounting hole, but these can perish.
As for the water dripping down into the cupboard, I guess it's building up around the base of the tap where it comes out of the sink due to the leaking joint on the tap? There should be a washer between the tap and sink to stop water going down the tap mounting hole, but these can perish.
I think you're exactly right on the water dripping into the cupboard side of things. It doesn't happen straight away but I noticed if you come back half an hour after the cold side has been used then there can be a foot wide puddle of water in there.
However, looking at the pipes under the sink going up into the tap, the cold one has that green corrosion colour around it, and the ring (c-type?) that the bolt goes into is very rusty looking so I'm not sure if there's also a leak where the pipe enters the tap.
Would this http://www.grandtaps.co.uk/products/prod_1591616-K... be OK as a replacement?
However, looking at the pipes under the sink going up into the tap, the cold one has that green corrosion colour around it, and the ring (c-type?) that the bolt goes into is very rusty looking so I'm not sure if there's also a leak where the pipe enters the tap.
Would this http://www.grandtaps.co.uk/products/prod_1591616-K... be OK as a replacement?
rm55 said:
I think you're exactly right on the water dripping into the cupboard side of things. It doesn't happen straight away but I noticed if you come back half an hour after the cold side has been used then there can be a foot wide puddle of water in there.
However, looking at the pipes under the sink going up into the tap, the cold one has that green corrosion colour around it, and the ring (c-type?) that the bolt goes into is very rusty looking so I'm not sure if there's also a leak where the pipe enters the tap.
Would this http://www.grandtaps.co.uk/products/prod_1591616-K... be OK as a replacement?
It'll be okay if you like it. Looks similar to mine.However, looking at the pipes under the sink going up into the tap, the cold one has that green corrosion colour around it, and the ring (c-type?) that the bolt goes into is very rusty looking so I'm not sure if there's also a leak where the pipe enters the tap.
Would this http://www.grandtaps.co.uk/products/prod_1591616-K... be OK as a replacement?
Simpo Two said:
My cold water pressure is very high; I deal with it by partly closing the stopcock until the cold tap stops punching a hole in the bottom of the sink.
That'll reduce your flow, but not the pressure. As GM says, a Pressure Reduction Valve is what you need to fit if it's the pressure that is a problem.rm55 said:
Would this http://www.grandtaps.co.uk/products/prod_1591616-K... be OK as a replacement?
I really wouldn't trust the quality and longevity of that tap. Given that you can pay nearly half that just for the flexi tails, I hate to think how cheap the materials making up the rest of the tap are.I've seen several examples of that style tap from cheap sources where the plastic valve cartridge inside has broken, or the o-ring seals have started leaking after only a short time.
Personally, I'd stick to a well known make, that you can get spare parts for in the future. Bristan are very good in that department, and a reasonable price for the quality. When it comes to taps (designer ones aside) you definitely get what you pay for.
I bought from these people:
http://www.tapsuk.com/kitchen-kitchen-taps-kitchen...
I ordered it 1st thing one morning, and it arrived before 08:30 the next morning!
I bought a very cheap tap, you do get what you pay for, and I'm very pleased. When we remodel the kitchen, I'll get a proper one from them.
http://www.tapsuk.com/kitchen-kitchen-taps-kitchen...
I ordered it 1st thing one morning, and it arrived before 08:30 the next morning!
I bought a very cheap tap, you do get what you pay for, and I'm very pleased. When we remodel the kitchen, I'll get a proper one from them.
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