cold water tap on mixer NOT working

[boilerfrustration]

The cold water tap on the old fashioned bath mixer has suddenly stopped working. It was fine yesterday but today it is stiff to turn and there no cold water coming out. I have temporarily addressed the problem but turning down the hot water on the boiler so that the hot water tap provides a decent shower. What might be causing the problem with the cold water tap?

 

[boilerfrustration]

Here is a picture of the mixer.

 

[boilerfrustration]

The title should read 'not' instead of 'now'

 

[picasso]

The head gear has jammed, you can buy tap revivers that will replace the tap heads.

http://www.directheatingsupplies.co.uk/bristan-tap-revivers

 

[JohnD]

If you take the tap apart you will find the fault. It might be that the circlip has come out of the groove in the spindle, or the left-handed thread that moves the washer up and down has come unscrewed. Those old taps are very simple and easy to fix. You might as well change the washer while you have it apart.

Have a look on Utube or Videojug for "changing a tap washer" which includes taking it apart. Use a UK vid.

For example. The knob on yours will pull off upwards now you have taken the screw out.

 

[boilerfrustration]

I've removed the silver lid and the blue insert below but I can't see inside anything else which I can unscrew. I can't see how the tap head itself can be removed. I've tried turning it anti-clockwise but it just gets to a point where it will not move.

 

[boilerfrustration]

I've attached a close up of the internals of the defective tap. I can't see anything further which I can unscrew. Any thoughts?

 

[JohnD]

I think the knob will pull off upwards. It is on splines on the spindle. See the vid I have now attached (above).

 

[Alec_t]

Can you pull the knob upwards to release it from the splined shaft?

Edit: John beat me to it!

 

[boilerfrustration]

That's great. Thank you for the video which was very helpful. Now all I need to do is turn off the mains. I think the person who did the plumbing in this flat many decades ago didn't think about local valves. I have though found a main valve in the pavement outside. I will give that ago mid morning tomorrow to reduce inconveniencing the neighbours.

 

[boilerfrustration]

I've tried to pull up with all my strength the tap head. Are they normally that difficult to remove?

 

[JohnD]

did you take a screw out?

it might be stick on the splines with limescale or corrosion. Wiggle it around a bit as you pull.

 

[DaveHerns]

Get your revivers and then you can attack the tap head . They're normally made of plastic or some rubbishy alloy. I got some very similar on EBay the other week but they had a screw in the centre