Tap with a mind of its own

[jon92]

The tap in my ensuite always dribbles briefly a few times after it is turned off, usually 4 or 5 times at about 5 minute intervals. It's not a huge problem obviously, but I'm wondering if there is something that can be done to stop it because it is annoying my wife and therefore me. I've also noticed that when the tap is on full and I turn it off abruptly, I can hear something clonk inside it so I'm not sure if that indicates the source of the problem.
I can't see how the tap comes apart so I haven't attempted any diagnosis myself. Thanks for any help.

Untitled

• jon92
• 2 Jun 2013
• 1

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[Armo74]

Sounds like the ceramic cartridge wants replacing.

 

[footprints]

Taps often dribble.

Water is left in the spout held there by air pressure, like dipping a straw into a glass of water and putting your finger over the end when you remove it the water stays in the straw till you lift your finger.

The same thing happens in the spout but after a while because of the large size of the outlet the "air lock" is lost and the water dribbles out.

The clunk is back pressure from the ceramic disc shutting off very quickly.

I don't think dismantling the tap will help at all, so long as the dribbling stops you don't have a problem.

Regards,
footprints

 

[CBF]

as above & you will also have limescale inside the end of the spout (notice the white around the spout), try getting rid of the limescale & you may find your prob goes away

 

[Charnwood]

The clonk is water hammer. It can be fixed by ensuring all pipes are bracketed properly or with a hammer arrestor:

 

[jon92]

Thanks all, I'll check the spout is clear. You've saved me the pain of taking the thing apart, anyway. I'm sure we can learn to live with a little dribble.

 

[ALEC1]

if its on a combi..then the cause is the expansion of the water in the plate heat exchanger....install a schock arrestor as suggested..

 

[footprints]

Yes jon I'm afraid a lot of us have to put up with a little dribble as we get older

Regards,
footprints

 

[jon92]

Tell me about it, daren't laugh too hard at anything these days. Anyway, I just took the little thingy off the end of the spout and checked it for limescale - not a sign (we do have a water softener so not that surprising).
So - it's a tap, it dribbles. I'll get over it.

 

[Charnwood]

Tell me about it, daren't laugh too hard at anything these days. Anyway, I just took the little thingy off the end of the spout and checked it for limescale

Aaargh, incontinence and a limescale problem.


Oh, you mean the tap.