Basin Mixer Leaking

[JohnnyO5]

Hi

We recently had a new vanity unit with a sink and mixer fitted in our bathroom. All seemed well for a week or so until we found the feed pipes in the cupboard were slightly wet. Initially we thought it was leaking from the underside, but think the issue is actually the top of the tap.

Having dried everything off, we noticed a small but constant bead of water forming around the base of the mixer handle, which dripped down the tap body and round the base of the tap. We noticed that the front of the tap base isn't completely flush with the basin - we think it isn't completely sealed and water is finding its way in there and running down the feed pipes.

Obviously one job is to get that sealed as it shouldn't allow water in, but more urgently we'd like to stop it leaking from the tap in the first place. I took the handle off and could see beading around the brass nut - tightening this slightly didn't seem to help. I tried removing the cartridge completely to make sure there wasn't anything preventing a good seal in the bottom but everything seems in order. Putting everything back together, the issue seems to be the same - having made sure not to overtighten it, then gradually add a bit more of a turn, it continues to bead, and if tightened further still, it also starts beading from the switch as well which I presume means over-tight.

Typically we found this over a bank holiday weekend - if all else fails we'll get the plumber who installed it to come back, but I'm wondering if this is more likely to be a fault with the tap itself. Is a new cartridge likely to solve it? I read in a few places it's usually that to blame for leaks, but it is brand new and not crusted up with limescale etc.

Photo attached for reference, any suggestions welcome.

Cheers
John

 

[dilalio]

If you supplied the goods and plumber just fitted it then it's down to you to get a replacement part or whole product.
Depending on who you bought it from, they "may" have operatives who'll come and replace it also, but I doubt it.

So, you'll have to replace it yourself or pay a plumber to come and do it.

As for the tap not sitting on the deck to provide a waterproof seal, this could either be a product issue (poor casting) or an install issue.

 

[JohnnyO5]

Thanks for the reply.

I appreciate I'm responsible for the parts (and therefore also if a part is faulty). I suppose a better question would be, based on the above/anybody's experience, is it worth trying a replacement cartridge at a tenner, before either trying to argue with Victoria Plum that the tap is faulty, or forking out £89 + fitting for another one.

Cheers
John

 

[dilalio]

Thanks for the reply.

I appreciate I'm responsible for the parts (and therefore also if a part is faulty). I suppose a better question would be, based on the above/anybody's experience, is it worth trying a replacement cartridge at a tenner, before either trying to argue with Victoria Plum that the tap is faulty, or forking out £89 + fitting for another one.

Cheers
John

Well, first thing is to have a study of their returns policy for faulty products.