Leaky mixer tap
Discussion
Forgive me if this is a silly question, but what I know about plumbing and DIY in general can be written - in very large letters - on the back of my hand.
Our mixer tap in the kitchen has developed a leak, not from the base, but from the middle part where the sticky uppy bit screws onto the tappy poury bit (there's a chance that this isn't industry standard terminology).
Not a huge torrent but enough of a dribble when the tap is in use to lead to a small pool accumulating a couple of times a day.
Is this an easy fix? My last attempt at rectifying what I thought was a fairly simple plumbing task did not end too well
Our mixer tap in the kitchen has developed a leak, not from the base, but from the middle part where the sticky uppy bit screws onto the tappy poury bit (there's a chance that this isn't industry standard terminology).
Not a huge torrent but enough of a dribble when the tap is in use to lead to a small pool accumulating a couple of times a day.
Is this an easy fix? My last attempt at rectifying what I thought was a fairly simple plumbing task did not end too well
I tried to fix this issue on my kitchen tap, ended up needing to buy a new one.
When I googled it seemed that you simply pull the spout off and replaced an O ring. Not so in my case as the whole water feed spout arrangement seemed to be a single piece.
I’ll follow the response with interest and while not much help my advice would be to proceed with caution.
When I googled it seemed that you simply pull the spout off and replaced an O ring. Not so in my case as the whole water feed spout arrangement seemed to be a single piece.
I’ll follow the response with interest and while not much help my advice would be to proceed with caution.
Usually a replacement washer will rectify this issue. Considering the spout section of the tap unscrews tells me that it should be a serviceable part. Check you have isolation valves under the sink (for both hot and cold feeds) and failing that ensure you know the location of your stopcock and that it functions properly just in case something did go wrong you can prevent any damage.
With the taps in the off position their bodies should prevent any water coming out of the spout when removed (but you can turn the isolation valves or stop cock off to be 100%). If you can remember the tap brand post it here or Google for instructions on how to remove the spout. Although that nut you have unscrewed may be a compression type fitting so it may pull out now. But if you do know the brand of tap it could clarify everything. Edited to add that looks to be a retaining clip in your second photo.
Hope this helps.
With the taps in the off position their bodies should prevent any water coming out of the spout when removed (but you can turn the isolation valves or stop cock off to be 100%). If you can remember the tap brand post it here or Google for instructions on how to remove the spout. Although that nut you have unscrewed may be a compression type fitting so it may pull out now. But if you do know the brand of tap it could clarify everything. Edited to add that looks to be a retaining clip in your second photo.
Hope this helps.
So I removed the white plastic clip and was expecting to see a perishing O ring but instead there's none....! Might have something to do with it, though weirdly it hasn't always leaked. Are these things standard sizes? No idea what brand the tap is. Either way, ordered a set of assorted O rings that comes with a roll of PTFE tape so that should do it!
Thanks all
Thanks all
If it's anything like ours, you'll probably find the O rings you ordered will have one the right diameter but the wrong section size.
I spent £15 for a repair kit for ours, two O rings and plastic thingy, checked in my stock of O rings, two different sets, ones automotive the other plumbing, not one came near the ones in the repair kit.
Good luck though.
I spent £15 for a repair kit for ours, two O rings and plastic thingy, checked in my stock of O rings, two different sets, ones automotive the other plumbing, not one came near the ones in the repair kit.
Good luck though.
The white clip stays on the spout, thats to stop it binding on the nut that holds the spout onto the tap.
You need to pull out the spout as the o ring Is lower down. Turn the spout 90 degrees to the side and pull up. Tape and grease the o ring. You won't need much tape as too much will stop you getting it back into the tap body. The grease helps it move freely.
Ollie P. Plumber and heating engineer.
You need to pull out the spout as the o ring Is lower down. Turn the spout 90 degrees to the side and pull up. Tape and grease the o ring. You won't need much tape as too much will stop you getting it back into the tap body. The grease helps it move freely.
Ollie P. Plumber and heating engineer.
So, after first ordering the wrong size, I’ve finally had the correct size O ring delivered.
Changed both for new ones as shown in pic below and still pissing out - new tap time?
It’s definitely not a problem with the taps themselves as with the spout out there’s absolutely no water movement.
Changed both for new ones as shown in pic below and still pissing out - new tap time?
It’s definitely not a problem with the taps themselves as with the spout out there’s absolutely no water movement.
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