Leaking kitchen mixer tap - changed 'o' rings still leaking

claudeballs · 26 Jun 2008

As it says in the title above, I've changed the 'O' rings on my kitchen mixer tap as it was leaking - but it's still dripping.
I've deduced that the cold tap is causing the problem as I've tured the cold supply off and there's no drip but, as soon as the cold supply is turned on again it starts dripping.

Any ideas?

Softus · 28 Jun 2008

You haven't said where it's dripping from, but if it's the spout then you need to service the valve.

If a screw down valve type, then check the seat and replace the washer.

If ceramic disk, then replace the valve body.

claudeballs · 28 Jun 2008

Softus,
It is leaking from the spout. How do I 'service' the valve? Do I remove the circlip and then unscrew the nut below it to gain access to the seat/washer?

Softus · 28 Jun 2008

Don't remove any circlips.

1. Isolate (aka shut off) the water supply to the taps.
2. Remove the handle(s).
3. Unscrew the valve body using a ring spanner on the hexagon shaped part.
(The spanner needed is probably 17mm.)
4a. If ceramic disk, then buy and fit new cartridge.
4b. If rubber washer, then renew washer and check the condition of the seat.
5. If seat is damaged then recut it.
6. Reinstate valve body and handle, and water supply, and Robert's yer father's brother.

claudeballs · 28 Jun 2008

Softus,
Re. part 3 of your instructions:
"3. Unscrew the valve body using a ring spanner on the hexagon shaped part.
(The spanner needed is probably 17mm.) "

I've already done that but there is only an 'O' ring on this - I can't see any disks or washers. Would they be inside this body?

Sorry for being a pain.

Softus · 28 Jun 2008

Do you have (a) one of these:

or (b) one of these:

or (c) neither of the above

If (a), then you need to replace the cartridge.

If (b), then the black part at the bottom is the washer.

If (c), then please post a picture.

claudeballs · 28 Jun 2008

I have the 'A' type, Softus.

Looks like I'll have to replace the valve then. Do you know where I can get one/prices ?

Softus · 28 Jun 2008

claudeballs said:
I have the 'A' type, Softus.

Looks like I'll have to replace the valve then. Do you know where I can get one/prices ?

Price for common types is likely to be around the £8-£10 mark.

If more rare, then more money.

If not identifiable, then new taps. Sorry.

If you know the make/model of the taps then it will be easy.

If you don't, then I'd start by taking both the handle and the body to your nearest plumbers' merchant. Not BNFNQ, or Scroofix, or Tesco, but a real, old-style, bona fide merchant that sells ONLY plumbing and plumbing related products.

There is a company called Lunns who specialise in hard-to-get parts, but their parts are very expensive. Not a criticism of them, you understand, because they have a vast stock of weird stuff.

If you post the following attributes then I can tell if it's a common type.

1. Number of splines (hard, but not impossible, to count).
2. Overall length of cartridge.
3. Distance from base of cartridge to bottom of flange (22mm in the above image).
4. Length of handle spindle.

claudeballs · 28 Jun 2008

Thanks, Softus.
I'm at work at the moment so can't post the details you require until tomorrow. There's agood little plumbers merchant where I live so, if it's a common type (after you informing me), I'll go and try there.

Thanks.

Blasphemous · 28 Jun 2008

claudeballs said:
Thanks, Softus.
I'm at work at the moment so can't post the details you require until tomorrow. There's agood little plumbers merchant where I live so, if it's a common type (after you informing me), I'll go and try there.

Thanks.

Just take the valve along there and they'll match you up.

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Leaking kitchen mixer tap - changed 'o' rings still leaking

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