1950's basic and bath taps dripping..

[olly_k]

Hey folks my mum has just moved house, and in the bathroom is a 1950's, deco style bath suit, taps are seperate to spouts with no tap body visible (I think!).
The taps are currently dripping so she called a plumber and has been told they cannot be repaired, they need to be replaced. Seems a shame as you would never get anything like these to replace them...
so I want to know if there might be a good reason he cannot repair the taps?
PS I would post a picture but they are over 100 miles away atm and I am not going until april!
Thanks..

 

[Axel]

Because it's a pain in the ass to get them out in one piece without damaging them or the bathtub and then it may not be straightforward to reliably fix them.

 

[OwainDIYer]

Could mum take a photo and send/email/SMS it to you?

 

[olly_k]

@OwainDIYer unfortunately not as they are tech illiterate but I have asked them to snap a piccy of the taps and bring the camera this week so fingers crossed...

I feel I am quite confident doing this myself but perhaps only with the guidance from what I know are knowledgeable and helpful folks here so any tips will be appreciated!!!

 

[ivixor]

I'd guess the washers need replacing. I'd bet this has been done at least once since 1950! Therefore there must be a way to do it. Get a better plumber...

 

[tamz]

so I want to know if there might be a good reason he cannot repair the taps?

Because he is not much of a plumber.

Std tap washers fitted in the normal way.

 

[Shed Steve]

On taps of this age, it may be that the seat where the washer goes onto needs re-cutting. Examine closely with a small torch for pitting, etc.. I have done this on a pair of old bath taps, worked OK.

 

[Nige F]

told they cannot be repaired, they need to be replaced. Seems a shame as you would never get anything like these to replace them...
Thanks..

You would - I refurbished and sold a set on eBay - then someone sold the same ones on again @ more profit Who you got was a Gas Safe fitter, not a plumber