Bath Tap just won't work - (photos included)

[TheSalad]

We've had trouble with our bath taps ever since we moved in to our new house 2 years ago, now the hot water tap has just given up completely.

We don't have the fitting instructions and our builders just aren't interested now so we're left to our own devices.

The tap fitting just goes round, even with a new replacement plastic cap there is no purchase on the tap to turn it on or off.

A friend thinks it might be either poor installation or grit/rubble from the buiders that has worked its way through to the tap. Any ideas?

Does anyone recognise the make? We think it is Porcelanosa? View media item 18364 View media item 18363

 

[dextrous]

If you use pliers or similar on the serrated spindle at the top, can you turn the water on/off?

 

[TheSalad]

Yes I can. The tap top just seems to spin round outside the little white plastic cap. Even buying several new caps doesn't seem to work.

The cold water tap seems to be going the same way.

 

[dextrous]

So the problem is twofold -

1/. the tap mechanism is stiffening up enough to wear the tap the "handle" moulding out. In which case, isolating the water supply and undoing the innards to see if there is anything within that is causing the stiffening to occur seems the most obvious way forward.

2/. it is difficult to find an appropriately sized tap handle. - short of using a 2 part resin such as araldyte to create a perfect moulding in-situ, which will in effect termnate any real chance of future repairs, nothing springs to my mind.

Somehow, I think a new pair of taps is coming on!

 

[Nige F]

Follow both of Dex`s instructions 1 - take apart , clean and lube with vaseline. New washer. Those taps with the horseshoe washer are notorious for jamming " 2 - do that with the araldite , then they will last until you get a new pair in several years Porcelainosa Nostra

 

[ColJack]

the new tap tops could simply have a large spindle hole in it and it's not locating with the older smaller one..


a top down poto of the top of the tap with the tap boddy next to it so we can compare the spindle sizes would help

 

[Whitespirit66]

Or, save yourself some grief and get some quality taps!

 

[TheSalad]

Thanks for all the replies.

ColJack, here is a top down photo. Does it help?

Also, can I ask . . . plumber has mentioned that the whole bath may need to come out to replace the taps, would that be correct? See photo.

Thanks.
View media item 18463 View media item 18464

 

[dextrous]

The bath may well have to come out, which is a bit of a nuisance if it's attached to the wall with a metal bracket behind those large tiles

You may be very, very lucky if the end panel at the left of the picture provides enough access for a slim plumber to reach round the back.

Alternatively, if the wall behind the taps is studwork with a room on the other side, it's not unusual to gain access by cutting a hole through from there- it'll be cheaper to make good than taking the bath out and dealing with the tiles etc...

 

[Whitespirit66]

Sometimes, if its a stud partition wall, its less aggro and destruction to knock a small hole in the wall in the room behind the taps.

Repairing/patch plastering a small hole is quicker and cheaper than damaged tiles, baths, etc.

Have done this twice now. Taps installed on the wall side of the bath are a complete pain.

 

[Whitespirit66]

Damn, too slow!

 

[TheSalad]

Update and final post on this thread.

Turned out to be debris that had worked its way through the pipes to the taps causing them to seize up. Plumber has done his best to clean up and fix them and whilst they work pretty well some damge has occurred inside the taps. Rather disappointing that the plumbers/builders who installed them 2 years ago did not take more care.