Can’t access washer on side lever mixer tap.

[Not giving up!]

Hi. Possibly missing something very obvious. This tap leaks through the top. Managed to strip it this far but can’t see how to get further in. Guessing there’s a washer inside on the right. Is there a way in or am I looking at a new tap as one plumber has suggested? Very grateful for any insight even if it’s bad news! Thanks.

 

[Keithmac]

Allen key though the top?.

 

[Hot&Cold]

If you want to exchange the cartridge,

Turn the water off,unscrew the chrome plated conical shroud,under there should be a large brass retaining nut,unscrew that and the cartridge will pull out

 

[oldbuffer]

1. If it leaks around the swivel base of the spout only when hot and / or cold are turned on then its the seals for the spout. The two O rings / seals on the brass spigot at the top of your picture. A temporary fix which sometimes works (no guarantees!) is to remove the O rings, wrap a few turns of folded PTFE tape around the spindle where the O rings sit, then refit the O rings.
2. If it leaks when both hot and cold are turned off, it is the cartridge leaking.
3. There are no washers inside, only a plastic cartridge with some O ring seals.
4. To remove the cartridge you will have to:
4a. Remove the chrome ring from around the white plastic lever. This may reveal a large nut holding the body of the cartridge into the tap, or it may be part of the nut.
4b. To remove the chrome ring, check for grub screws under or behind it holding it in place, and remove such screw. Then use a "Boa Constrictor" type rubber wrench to remove ring. Alternatives are rubber gloves, or wrapping tape around to protect chrome then using grips.
5. You will then have to source a new cartridge. Try Showerdoc.

If the taps weren't expensive it may well be better to replace them. Buy a well known make (e.g. Bristan, Crosswater, Vado) and keep the installation leaflet marked up with model of tap. You should then be able to get spares for around 10 years.

 

[Not giving up!]

Thanks very much for that Old and Bold but would you indulge my thickness a little longer? Which bit is the conical shroud - side or top? Thanks for your time and expertise.

 

[Not giving up!]

Old and Bold I’m going to try Old Buffer’s advice so no need to reply. Thanks to you both and to Keithmac.

 

[HERTS P&D]

Buy a new tap, its a lot less bother in the end.

Andy

 

[Ian H]

It looks very similar to mine.

Some pictures of the shroud here:

https://www.diynot.com/diy/threads/repair-or-replace-this-tap.485886/