Disassemble a tap / remove valve

[Jim Callaghan]

Hi All
I’ve replaced tap valves before - but I can’t figure out how to get at this one. One tap works (compression not 1/4 turn) and the other only turns about one full turn - with force - and very little water comes out. I can’t see how to get at the valve. I’ve searched for instructions to no avail. It’s a shower mixer. Hoping not to have to replace the whole thing. Cheers.

 

[polesapart]

Picture of the whole mixer showing both sides, please.

 

[Jim Callaghan]

Here you go. Thanks.

 

[opps]

I am not a plumber...

However, I guess you need to remove the metal shroud/collar to gain access to the valve.

A boa strap will enable you to remove it without scratching it.

Amazon.co.uk

 

[Jim Callaghan]

Thank you. I did consider that. To be clear - we think the part just behind the tap head - the smooth almost cylindrical part - that may unscrew towards the front? The same direction in which the tap head itself was removed. Thank you.

 

[opps]

Yes. They tend to unscrew anti-clockwise.

I recommended the Boa because it will not scratch the chrome.

Once the "shroud/cover" is removed, you should be able to use a spanner to unscrew the valve from the body, again, I expect it to be anti-clockwise as well.

 

[Jim Callaghan]

Thank you very much. Boa did the trick. Now to find this very valve and buy replacements. Typical that the previous plumber that put this bathroom in didn’t put isolation valves on the tap feeds so now I’m in to emptying the hot water tank, turning off the mains and unscrewing this just so get an idea as to what to buy… great this DIY stuff isn’t it!

 

[pcaouolte]

You don't usually need to empty a hot water tank to change a tap washer/cartridge. If you close the valve on the cold water feed into the hot water cylinder the cylinder will stay full of hot water and none/very little will come out at the tap.

 

[Jim Callaghan]

Well I never.
I’ll go up to the hot water tank in the loft and see if the stingy buggers added an isolation in to it when the house was built. I need to get digging.
Thanks very much for taking the time to reply.