Dripping double-handle sink tap: how to fix it?

[sglaoli]

I have a dripping sink tap in my kitchen. It's a double-handle mixer tap. See the photo. I even could not dissemble the handle, perhaps a special key is needed to dissemble it? I saw a DORF brand on the body. Anyone knows how to fix it? Thanks.

Untitled

• sglaoli
• 2 May 2013
• 1

Untitled

• sglaoli
• 2 May 2013
• 1

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

It's likely that a ceramic disc has worn(could be either hot/cold) or could be debris within it, preventing it from fully closing.
The tap indicators red/blue discs on top, normally can be gently prised off using a small flat headed screw driver. This should then reveal a screwhead that will require undoing. But it maybe that there is a small screw or allen nut on the lever that needs loosening.(so check for that before prising red/blue disc off). Once undone the tap lever will be loose and can be removed. Under the lever is the tap valve mechanism (cartridge).
You will require a correctly sized spanner to remove this from the body of the tap. Integral to the cartridge is a ceramic disc, in some cases it is possible to replace the disc, but often straight swap out with cartridge is a better option.
Before you start removing any components, isolate water supply and have a small container handy for putting the bits that you have removed in, so they don't get lost. Also put the plug in the sink, so nothing finds it's way in to the waste, if dropped.

 

[pukka]

and don't forget to put the plug in the plug hole. dropping a screw down the plug hole is not fun.


Paul

 

[sglaoli]

Thanks for your advices. In fact I have tried to dissemble it. I prised off the red/blue discs, from the hole, I can see something like the screw hole, rather than an Allen key hole. I could not take it off using either a screw drive or Allen key. Perhaps I need a special key with screw on it to remove this lever so that I can have access to the cartridge. I just stopped there. Anyone got the experience for such special mechanism?

It's likely that a ceramic disc has worn(could be either hot/cold) or could be debris within it, preventing it from fully closing.
The tap indicators red/blue discs on top, normally can be gently prised off using a small flat headed screw driver. This should then reveal a screwhead that will require undoing. But it maybe that there is a small screw or allen nut on the lever that needs loosening.(so check for that before prising red/blue disc off). Once undone the tap lever will be loose and can be removed. Under the lever is the tap valve mechanism (cartridge).
You will require a correctly sized spanner to remove this from the body of the tap. Integral to the cartridge is a ceramic disc, in some cases it is possible to replace the disc, but often straight swap out with cartridge is a better option.
Before you start removing any components, isolate water supply and have a small container handy for putting the bits that you have removed in, so they don't get lost. Also put the plug in the sink, so nothing finds it's way in to the waste, if dropped.

Untitled

• sglaoli
• 2 May 2013
• 1