Leaking kitchen tap

This kitchen tap is leaking from the joint in the picture.




Will it need replacing or can it be tightened or have a washer replaced please?

Thanks in advance.

1. There will be one or two rubber seals / O rings inside the part where it swivels (Upper centre of tap), and possibly a nylon ring or split ring.
2. They leak from there when the seals have worn.
3. You could replace the seals if you know the make and model of tap. Obtain seals. Turn the taps off and remove the spout. May have a grub screw or Allen grub screw usually located round the back. Your second picture shows what may be a hole for the grub screw. Replace seals. When reassembling, if it has a split white nylon washer, the split normally sits where the grub screw comes through.
4. If you don't know what taps they are, you could try removing the spout, as above. Then measure the existing seals and try and find replacements. Not easy, particularly if they are not O rings.
5. As a temporary measure, remove spout, remove seals. Wind a few turns of PTFE tape into the grooves in the base of the spout, trying to keep them as flat as possible. Replace seals and reassemble. The PTFE can make up for a small degree of wear. This is NOT a lasting solution.
6. Replace the taps altogether. If you are not doing the work yourself this will probably be the cheapest option. Spending £80 / hour for someone to mess around with seals will soon cost more than the taps and fitting.

I think that spout has a screw-on collar at the base where it meets the body of the tap. Try gripping it and unscrewing the collar (anti clockwise) then you will/might be able to lift out the spout by wiggling it and lifting at the same time, but be prepared to struggle a bit!

Is it safe to remove the spout whilst the taps are turned to off or does water to the tap need to be isolated?
Also, am I likely to find these seals on the shelves of City Plumbing or Plumb Centre? I have both of them in my town.
Thanks or your help.

1. There is no need to isolate to remove spout, though it does protect against accidental opening of taps.
2. Doubt you will find them off the shelf.

oldbuffer said:

1. There is no need to isolate to remove spout, though it does protect against accidental opening of taps.
2. Doubt you will find them off the shelf.

Click to expand...

Probably a case of puling it apart on one day, taking the washers to City Plumbing and ordering them and the replacing on another day...